Newswise — SOUTH BRONX, November 9, 2015 – When former journalist Chris Norwood founded Health People to educate and support South Bronx women with HIV/AIDS at the height of New York City’s crisis in the 1990s, she never envisioned that her organization – with its pioneering peer approach – would grow to fight the range of diseases decimating America’s inner cities a quarter of a century later.
But that is precisely what happened. Health People grew and expanded its powerful peer model and on Friday, November 20, will celebrate its 25th anniversary at a party at the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse, 513 East 161 Street (at Third Avenue) from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.
The anniversary highlights Heath People’s unique vision of empowering “peers” -- residents of communities overwhelmed by AIDS and chronic diseases like diabetes – to provide their neighbors with the effective self-care and preventive education that is key to bringing back health to low-income communities. Constant evaluation shows that Health People’s community “in-reach” approach really works, lowering diabetes risks, AIDS transmission and asthma attacks.
The celebration also honors prominent New Yorkers who have made outstanding contributions to the city’ health, including Health, including Gladys Carrion, Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services for her years of devotion to the well-being of the highest risk children, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her longstanding advocacy for Veteran’s health.
Tickets may be purchased through Health People’s website: www.healthpeople.org.
“We have real reasons to celebrate,” said Chris Norwood, Health People’s founder and executive director. “We’ve provided effective AIDS and chronic disease self-care and prevention courses to more than 10,000 people---all taught by low-income Bronx residents who, themselves, have chronic disease or AIDS. Our results from Health People’s peer-to-peer education and community ‘in reach’ ---decreasing diabetes, AIDS and asthma---- prove that educating communities to build their own health is a uniquely powerful way to make progress in neighborhoods that have been overwhelmed by AIDS and chronic disease.
“Most impressive, by widely becoming peer educators, ordinary people from the Bronx are now virtually leading the nation in showing how to deliver effective health education that reaches those most at risk,” she added. The celebration at the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse -- one of New York City’s venerable historic buildings which was re-opened this year after decades of being closed down ---will feature Bronx Bites, made by Fresh Start, the Osborne Association Catering Service that trains and employs formerly incarcerated men and women from the Bronx.
Other honorees are former Borough President Fernando Ferrer and Mary R. Morgan, both of whom helped Health People obtain its initial funding to start its work during the AIDS crisis; the Lawyers Alliance, whose pro bono legal services are key to the health of hundreds of New York City not-for-profits, and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, which has also provided pro bono attorneys for Health People.
About Health PeopleHealth People is a groundbreaking peer education, prevention and support organization in the South Bronx whose mission is to train and empower residents of communities overwhelmed by chronic disease and AIDS to become leaders and educators in effectively preventing ill health, hospitalization, and unnecessary death.
Established in 1990 as a women’s AIDS prevention and support program, Health People has grown, using its peer-education model, to provide a full range of HIV/AIDS services for men, women and families. It also has conducted community asthma programs, New York’s first diabetes peer-educators program, and a community smoking cessation program. Health People’s Junior Peer program, Kids-Helping-Kids includes teens who are mentors for younger children with sick or missing parents.
For more information, please visit www.healthpeople.org.
Social media users:Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthPeople.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/HealthPeopleOrg.YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HealthPeopleKids/featured
CONTACT:Cynthia Carway/Stephanie HornbackCarway Communications, Inc.212-378-2020 or [email protected]
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