Bridge to Health Equity

On April 15, Long Island University - Liberty Partnerships Program (LIU LPP) hosted the Youth Wellness Fair on the LIU Brooklyn campus. This was a community health initiative with the purpose of empowering youth in managing their wellness and to promote health equity. Our LIU LPP high school scholars, ages 13-18, are predominantly of color and come from underserved neighborhoods in Brooklyn, NY where health disparities may be present.

This event was an opportunity for our scholars and their families to connect with healthcare professionals and LIU students, many pursuing a career in health sciences. Activities were designed to show ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle that can strengthen one’s physical and mental wellness, in addition to exploring healthcare careers, as there is still a disparity in representation of people of color in this field.

During the Youth Wellness Fair, guests engaged with HealthFirst, NY-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, LIU student
organizations, and LIU Admissions, School of Nursing and School of Health Professions (Social Work and Physical Therapy departments).

Additional activities included a community health chat about nutrition facilitated by our community partner Complete Health Ventures LLC, a yoga demonstration by Urban Asanas, a performance by Lady Warriors Cheer & Step Teams, free health screenings by Greater NYC Black Nurses
Association, gaming on the GameTruck, and a raffle. It was a day of fun, self-care, and community engagement!

Special Shout Out to the LIU LPP students from Benjamin Banneker Academy, Bedford Academy and SIMBA (and NYC DOE Students in Temporary Housing
Program) that attended!