Every year, Whitney Young Heath and Fidelis Care collaborative to throw a Back to School event so local families can not only receive free school supplies, but have access to other important health information as well. This year, we decided to expand our event into three. Three separate events were held at our Albany, Troy and Watervliet Health Centers so we could reach more families in the communities we provide healthcare in.
In just one week, over 1,000 backpacks containing school supplies were given out to children who elementary, middle and high school. At the Back to School event at our Albany Health Center alone, we gave over 600 backpacks! We even had an appearance from the Fidelisaurus!
Other WYH programs such as, Community Prevention & Treatment Services (CPTS), School-Based Health and WIC attended this event to inform people about the additional services we offer, but make sure every child was up to date on their physicals and immunizations. Outside organizations such as, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Albany Public Library, and Cornell Cooperative Extension attended as well.
Thank you to Fidelis Care for sponsoring this endeavor and Whitney Young Health’s Customer Service Committee for planning such a successful event!