HHI Recognizes National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness, 2021

On Monday, November 22, 2021, the rain stopped long enough for the Homeless Health Initiative (HHI) Meet and Greet at the Salvation Army in Pottstown. The HHI Team, including Dr. Karen Hudson, program leader, HHI interns, Juanita Robinson, Courtney Gordon, Brendan Bellomo, HHI volunteer Emily Thomas and Bobbie Monaco, nurse practitioner at the Pottstown CHOP Primary Care location, worked together to execute a fun and informative Meet and Greet with the families at the Salvation Army. The event was planned with the Pottstown Salvation Army director, Wendy Egoff. The outdoor event was held in the parking lot of the Salvation Army with about seven families and about ten children attending ranging in ages from 1-9. The afternoon activities consisted of sharing Montgomery County resources and employment information, engaging parents in efforts to better understand health topics of interest to the families, giving away children's books donated by Reach Out & Read, offering developmentally appropriate toys, period products, a raffle offered and a winner announced and lots of play activities led by Emily Thomas, OT and Brendan Bellomo. Even the chilly November weather didn't stop the children from having fun! The balloons were an especially big hit with the kids! Some health topics of interest to the families included gun safety, child development, and managing stress and anxiety during this pandemic. HHI will plan next steps to provide the education requested by families.