Educacion para la Salud Suya
The spirit of a community is people working together for a common cause. When people work together in our home town, great things happen for our area Spanish-speaking families who now have easy access to health education and outreach programs.
Right to Left: City Mayor Sam Teresi, cuts the ribbon with area health care partners in celebration of the Grand Opening of the Education For You Health Center.
This initiative is made possible through a the New York State Office of Minorities. Educational support and guidance from local health partners including: WCA Wellness, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Partners For Prevention and STEPS To A HealthierNY, have given local families a place where they can learn to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors.
"They truly made my dreams come true," said Tillie Solmonson, Director of the Joint Neighborhood Project, when she sprung open the doors to the new Education For You Health Center (Educacion para la Salud Suya), located behind the Joint Neighborhood Center.
Education For You Health Center Planning Committee, left to right.: Linda Burton, Cornell Cooperative Extension Coordinator; Tillie Solmonson, Director of Joint Neighborhood Project; Diana Scott, Home Depot Donations Coordinator; Toni DeAngelo, WCA Wellness Program Coordinator.
"Education is the foundation for changing behavior," says Tillie. "Obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes are the widest spread health concerns for Spanish-speaking families. We wanted a way to help our neighbors, friends and relatives stay healthy and this Center provides just what we need. This is absolutely marvelous!"
"Eat right and exercise will be our motto at the new Center," said Toni DeAngelo, R.N. and WCA Wellness Program Director. "Our goal is to focus on learning and our team of health partners will provide the tools necessary for families to make healthy choices."
"The right combination of wholesome food and diet can be established for anyone at any age," adds Linda Burton, Cornell Cooperative Extension Coordinator. "Healthy cooking demonstrations will be offered throughout the year to teach children and adults good eating habits."
Free blood pressure and cancer screenings will be provided at the Center along with a library filled with bilingual (Spanish) health information on prenatal care, weight management, and disease prevention and management. Walking programs will be given to interested individuals and a certified fitness trainer will be available on-site to teach people the benefits of proper exercise.
"The staff at Joint Neighborhood Project is truly grateful for the unending help and assistance from our area businesses, volunteers, community health partners and especially Toni DeAngelo, who without her passion and energy, we would not have been able to establish this wonderful Center," said Tillie.
Jennifer Head, Partners For Prevention Coordinator, fixes a spot on the wall in preparation of the final coat of paint.
Pictured is the outside of the Education For You Health Center before the recent renovation of the building.
Toni DeAngelo, Tillie Solmonson and Diana Scott open supplies donated by Home Depot.
Volunteers from the Joint Neighborhood Project put the finishing touches on the wall.
