June 29, 2009
Today: Codman Square Health Center’s Annual Public Meeting
Come to Codman Square Health Center’s Annual Public Meeting tonight from 5:30-7pm in the Great Hall! (6 Norfolk Street in Dorchester)

Among the highlights of the event:
* Congressman Mike Capuano will deliver the keynote address
* Staff awards ceremony
* “Codman Square: Then & Now” photo exhibition

Refreshments will be served.

See you there!

June 26, 2009
New Media-led Effort Responds to AIDS Crisis amongst African Americans
This post is quoted from a recent Kaiser Family Foundation article. The complete article can be found here.

“25 June 2009 — Today, leading U.S. media companies announced a new coordinated national campaign to mobilize Black Americans in response to AIDS and promote specific calls-to-action to prevent and reduce the further spread of HIV. Greater Than AIDS — a multi-faceted campaign presented under a common brand that includes targeted public service ads (PSAs) as well as integrated messages in news, entertainment and community content — seeks to strengthen a sense of community among Black Americans in response to HIV/AIDS.

[...]

Inspired by a line in a speech by President Obama on World AIDS Day in 2006, the central idea behind the Greater Than AIDS message, which is presented as an “internal dialogue” within the Black community, seeks to inspire hope and promote the possibility of change in the AIDS epidemic facing Black America through the united actions of individuals, families and communities. Greater Than AIDS stresses six specific actions in response to the epidemic: being informed; using condoms; getting tested — and treated, as needed; speaking openly; acting with respect; and getting involved.”

National HIV Testing Day is tomorrow (Saturday, June 27)!
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control.” Codman Square Health Center always offers free walk-in HIV testing. It’s quick, painless, accurate, and confidential. If you want to get tested on Saturday, the clinic is open from 9am to 1pm (normal hours). To find other sites that offer testing near you, you can check this website.

Get tested and encourage your loved ones to do the same! You can help protect yourself and your partner, and help reduce the stigma around HIV/AIDS.

June 25, 2009
Please contact Gov. Patrick TODAY to ask him to approve the $35.3 million that the conference committee budget recommends for the AIDS Line Item
A request for action from Project Able:

“Governor Patrick has until Monday to sign the conference committee budget that the legislature approved.

Please contact his office TODAY to ask him to approve the $35.3 million that the conference committee budget recommends for the AIDS Line Item (4512-0103). It is recommended that you contact his office by phone and write an email. Be sure to leave your full name and contact information and your agency name if you are affiliated with an agency.

The Governor’s phone number is 888-870-7770. Go to the Governor’s website to write him an email.

This is very important, it is possible he could veto the conference committee budget level of funding and only approve a significantly lower amount. Your call/email is critical!”

Holiday notice: Gym, Pool & Youth Programs will be CLOSED on Saturday, July 4
The Gym, Pool and Youth Programs will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday. All programs will resume on Monday, July 6.

For summer schedules and opportunities, please see the front desk, pool area, or teen center. you can also access information online; click here for the e-flyer.

Have a fun and safe holiday!

Community Walking Group, June 23-August 27
Join the Community Walking Group on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays this summer for 45-60 minute neighborhood walks. Why should you walk? Walking lowers your blood pressure and total cholesterol and controls your weight. In addition, you will have more energy, less stress, and be able to sleep better. The walks start this week and will continue until August 27th.

Tuesday: 12-1pm
Wednesday: 6-7pm
Thursday: 9-10am

Walk leader: Bruneli Degraca.
Meeting place: 450 Washington Street
Contact number: 617-822-8297

June 24, 2009
Take 30 seconds to help the Codman Square Family Farmers Market win $5000!
The Codman Square Family Farmers Market is participating in the “Love Your Farmers Market” online contest, sponsored by Care2.com and LocalHarvest.org. The winner of the contest, with the most online votes, receives $5000. Every vote will help bring more nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables to the Dorchester community. You can help our farmers market win by voting now; just follow this link. Please tell your friends and families to vote to support the Codman Square Family Farmers Market as well!

Don’t forget to visit the market either. It is every Thursday of the summer from 1pm-6pm, starting tomorrow (June 25th). Come check it out!

Call to Action: Call your Congressmen to protect Codman Square and other community health centers!
On June 4, Congressman Mark Capuano (D-MA) introduced a Concurrent Resolution (H. Con. Res. 144 / S. Con. Res. 25) entitled “Recognizing the value, importance and benefits of community health centers in health reform.” In order to make sure Health Centers are protected in the Health Care Reform legislation now moving through Congress, we must demonstrate overwhelming support for key provisions that would protect health centers by getting as many members of Congress as possible to cosponsor the Health Centers Resolutions. As of today, only 6 Senators and 37 Representatives have cosponsored the Health Centers Resolution - WE MUST TO DO BETTER!

Contact Your Members of Congress TODAY Using the NACHC Advocacy Hotline at 1-866-456-3949.
Ask Your Senators to Co-Sponsor S. Con. Res 25
Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor H.Con. Res. 144

Please also forward this message to your friends and colleagues and encourage them to take action as well. For more information about the National Association of Community Health Centers and the health care reform debate, go here.

PS: You are invited to Codman Square Health Center’s Annual Public Meeting next Monday, June 29th, where Congressman Capuano will be the keynote speaker. Visit our Events page for more information.

June 22, 2009
Codman Square is in the news!
WBZ-TV, WBZ 1030 News Radio, and The Boston Globe all recently featured stories about programs run by the Codman Square Health Center and its partners. The WBZ-TV clip is about Codman Academy Charter School students and their healthcare internships at the Health Center. The WBZ news radio clip is about the new fitness center at 450 Washington Street, which is open to women and children 7 days a week at no/low cost and operated by The Healthworks Foundation. Lastly, the Boston Globe article is about the second season of the Codman Square Family Farmers Market and our community’s interest in increasing access to fresh and healthy food.

For more information about Codman Academy Charter Public School, click here. For more information about Healthworks at Codman, including open hours and how to join, click here. For more information about the farmers market, contact FAMILY, Inc. at 617-822-8278 or check out the brochure.

June 19, 2009
Come to Codman Square Health Center’s Annual Public Meeting on June 29th!
This year’s theme is “Then, Now, and Tomorrow.” The keynote speaker will be U.S. Representative Michael Capuano (D–MA). Congressman Capuano is a key national advocate for community health centers. On June 4th of this year, he and Congresswoman Kay Granger (R–TX) introduced House C.R. 144, recognizing the value, benefits, and importance of community health centers as health care homes.

Other features of the event include: the Health Center staff longevity award and the unveiling of the photograph exhibit “Codman Square: Then and Now.” The exhibit features century-old photographs of sites in Codman Square juxtaposed with images of the same locations as they appear today. The exhibit was made possible through the work of the Dorchester Historical Society, Peter Vanderwalker, and our own Roseanne Foley. Lastly, plans for the new wing of the health center, featuring joint-use space for Codman Academy and the Health Center, will be on display.

Refreshments will be served.

When: Monday, June 29th at 5:30pm
Where: The Great Hall at Codman Square Health Center, 6 Norfolk St., Dorchester

See you there!