Breath of Life Church in Seattle is located in an urban, unincorporated area of King County called White Center. This area is known for its high poverty level and crime rate.
Sundria Burton, Breath of Life Church head deaconess, wanted to meet the needs of the community surrounding the church and worked with fellow church members to survey and plan a way to meet a specific need: health care.
The free community health fair was planned for May 31, advertised in their immediate community and beyond, and set up throughout the church facility. Breath of Life Church invited and involved partners from Swedish Mobile Mammagraphy, Centers for Multicultural Health, Neighborcare Health, Medical Teams International, the health van from Tacoma Central Adventist Church, several dentists, massage therapist Christopher Kelly, and United Healthcare and Amerigroup Insurance representatives.
“We offered free medical and dental services for uninsured and underinsured community members,” says Burton. “The services included medical screenings, dental exams and treatment, mammograms for women ages 40-plus, massages, provider referrals and insurance guidance, and free fitness club passes. Twenty-nine people took advantage of the event and were truly grateful to obtain services that were otherwise unavailable.”
After their experience with this first health fair, the church plans to host another community health fair next year.
Key team members
Health Team: Sundria Burton, Anissa Thomas, Delois Craigwell, Shelia Cheatham, Tahia Good, Flory Debreuze and Sharda Craigwell
Communication Team: Lonika Wagner, Anthony Brinkley, Adrian Cheatham and Chris Wood
Lonika Wagner and Anthony Brinkley prepared the advertising campaign for the free community health fair offered by Breath of Life Church.
Tahia Good and Shirley Mathieu welcome visitors to the Breath of Life Church's community health fair and answer their questions.
Massage therapist Christopher Kelly treats a patient at Breath of Life's community health fair.
