Hundreds of students from DC’s MacFarland Middle School, their parents, and the community at large benefited from a day filled with information, fun, and fellowship during the Latin American Youth Center’s annual health fair in early April and coordinated by LAYC’s AmeriCorps program.

In the last 13 years, AmeriCorps has partnered with community organizations to educate the community on dental hygiene, getting enough sleep, substance abuse, and other teen issues.

"[The health fair] is a good way for youth to find out information they didn’t know. They can find solutions to problems for themselves and their parents. The AmeriCorps members have learned a lot too from all the organizations and exhibits,” said LAYC AmeriCorps member Esmarlin Santos.

This year more than 30 organizations disseminated information during the annual fair, including the American Diabetes Association, the National Capital Poison Center, and Planned Parenthood of Washington, DC. During the event, attendees also had the opportunity to engage in recreational activities like dance competitions and tennis.

Jessica Romero, an eighth grade student at MacFarland, and Cristina Salmaro, a sixth grade student, learned about sexual health, fire prevention, and the importance of going to the dentist twice a year. They also discovered arts programs in the neighborhood, dancing, and sports.

Other Health Fair Reflections:

Manuella Ceballos, AmeriCorps Member - “It was a good learning experience for the kids. Putting on the event helped us learn things too. I didn’t know much about Music Therapy before I made a display board about it. Now, I know it can help with lowering blood pressure.”

Dr. Antonia Peters, MacFarland Middle School’s Principal - “The event is fantastic! It offers the kids a new experience and allows them to interact together and with other people. It gives kids a new approach to learning -- visual, hands on -- and gives them a chance to perform [like in the dance contest]. We look forward to the event every year and wish we could have it twice a year.”

Monique Cuffee, American Kidney Fund - “It was a great time. The kids asked a lot of questions. It is an important event to get information out to kids and a good chance to network with other organizations.”

Galen D’Amato, LAYC’s AmeriCorps Program- “[The event] is a good opportunity for organizations to get materials out to youth. It helps young people learn connect with organizations that can help them.”

The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members help meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, and other areas in exchange for an education award that they can use to pay for college or pay back qualified student loans. Through in-school, after-school, and summer programs, Corps members become tutors, mentors, and role models to youth.