CCBQ’s Community Health and Wellness Program Services concluded September with a Health and Wellness Fair at St. Thomas Aquinas RC Church in Brooklyn. Over 120 parishioners and community members participated in this round robin event that featured staying cool on the warmer days, alternatives to screen time, meditation and flattening the curve. Local community organizations included ClearCaptions, an advanced captioning phone system for those losing their hearing. Also on site was Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics mobile unit, which tested guests for COVID-19 antibodies, performed EKG’s and additional cardiovascular testing. Participants went home with information and resources, giveaways, fresh produce and a gift card to a local supermarket to purchase healthy foods.
Since the pandemic began, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has witnessed a 1000% increase in food requests and has provided much-needed food packages and services at the 20 Catholic Charities parish-based food pantries and an additional 27 affiliate pantries located throughout both boroughs. In total, the agency distributed over $400 million in food assistance in 2020. In addition, Catholic Charities witnessed a 37 percent increase in clients in 2020, and continued to deliver mental health counseling, housing services, family services and early childhood education.
Catholic Charities Continues to Keep Community Healthy and Safe amid COVID-19 Pandemic
