NORTH MIAMI — As it sticks to its main mission of providing free services and health-related information to seniors and immigrants so they can live healthy lives, MJC Wellness and Community Center, a local not-for-profit organization in Miami, continues to fulfill some needs in the health sector in the Miami-Dade’s Haitian Community.
Last year, 2018, MJD Wellness and Community Center was very active in the community by organizing multiple events to benefit many. Again, this year the commitments of the board members to serve those in need have not changed. Among the many events organized by the organization annually is the ‘Health & Wellness Festival.’ Last Saturday, October 12, was the 4th edition held at Griffin Park in North Miami, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Such an event is one of the most recognizable forms of community-based health promotion conducted in the United States. This ‘Health & Wellness Festival’ offers health education and medical screenings at no cost to the participants.
Despite early wet weather, many participants attended the event. Representatives of many local businesses, such as Primary Medical Care Center and Diri Ayiti Cheri, which sponsored this year’s edition, were on site to share their products and services with the attendees.
As usual, the participants received numerous free services, such as: Citizenship Drive, Vision Screen/Dental Cleaning for Kids and Adults, Hypertension and Cholesterol screenings, Health Insurance Application Enrollment, and more. Enjoying a good time in a community environment with free food and drink, participants also had the opportunity to get tested for some diseases (HIV and STD) in order to better understand their current health condition.
Attendees interacted with dozens of local medical professionals who were ready to answer personal questions about their health, nutrition, wellness, and much more. They also saw product demonstrations and learned about some of the latest advances that can improve one’s overall life, as well as help save a life.
Giveaways were awarded throughout the day while local families enjoyed free children’s activities in a Kid’s Zone.
MJD Wellness and Community Center board members could not do this work by themselves. Numerous volunteers helped make this event a reality.
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the public enjoyed the performances of many local artists and groups. While some well-known performers announced in the lineup were absent (perhaps due to the weather), konpa singer Dieudonne Larose and the young gospel group YGM really showed their talent on the podium to entertain the audience. And based on the expressions of many in the crowd, those two performers really highlighted the entertainment part of the event.
As 2019 is approaching its end, positive sentiment among the board is already high for next year. The local organization has already built its events calendar for 2020 with a total of seven, and the 5th Annual ‘Health & Wellness Festival’ is already set for the 2nd Saturday of October.
At the end of the event, on behalf of the board members, as the head of the not-for-profit organization, the dynamic Emmanuela Fleurimont -aka Manou- found the proper words to express her gratitude to all those who made the event possible.
Despite some difficulties faced in the realization of this 4th edition, in an eternal optimist’s point of view, Manou believes that God is always looking for ways and reasons to use some people to help others. She reminded us that one of her many passions involves giving back, especially mentoring youth so they can become impactful members of the community as they grow into adulthood.
While the weather may have created some challenges for the MJD Wellness and Community Center hosting this event, it’s also incumbent upon the entire community to rally support behind these wonderful causes. For this next year, let’s all step up and offer more support to leaders like MJD Wellness and Community Center. The only limit to our capacity to make a lasting impact on those who need it most is when we stand side by side with one another and support these worthy causes.
DF/LE FLORIDIEN