Free health screening and flu shots are available to Greater Cleveland residents when volunteers from Case Western Reserve University’s dental, medical and nursing schools team up for the Community Health Fair—one of 68 volunteer projects in the 10th Annual Case for Community Day, to be held Oct. 19.
Since Case for Community Day’s inception 10 years ago, Latisha James, the university’s senior director of local government and community relations, has marshaled about 4,000 volunteers for 650 projects—including many community improvement initiatives.
Case Western University faculty, staff, students and local alumni team up to paint, landscape, clean and undertake a number of special projects and events, often working with youth and seniors in a range of service projects.
Throughout the year, student groups and organizations provide service to churches, schools and social service agencies, but this campuswide service day gives those unable to volunteer a chance to give back to their communities, James said.
This year’s health fair honors the memory of the late U.S. Congresswoman and Case Western Reserve law school alumna Stephanie Tubbs Jones, James said. The health fair will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center in East Cleveland (13944 Euclid Ave.). The Cleveland Clinic is a co-sponsor of the fair.
Volunteers will provide confidential screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, oral health, body mass index (BMI), glucose and HIV/AIDS. The first 50 people screened for HIV/AIDS will receive gift cards from Dave’s Market. The screenings are available for residents of any age, but those younger than 18 require permission from a parent or guardian.
The university also has partnered with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission’s Go 4 Life program. To promote health and fitness among older adults, Go 4 Life will train campus volunteers in fitness exercises so they can host exercise programs at five senior communities in Cleveland later that afternoon.
Community projects include reading and assisting with arts and craft activities for elementary school children at Kelvin Smith Library; assisting with voter registration and judging a talent show by patients at Louis Stokes Veteran Administration Medical Center; preparing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cleveland; and painting rooms inside the Broken Connections Homeless Shelter.
Other projects will be held at Abington Arms, Eliza Bryant Village, Judson Manor, Judson Retirement Community, Senior Outreach Service and more.
Registration is still open for Case for Community Day projects. To register, visit students.case.edu/partners/caseforcommunity/.
For more information, contact Latisha James at 216.368.3909 or email latisha.james@case.edu.