Health Starts Here: Recap of Our First Wellness Fair in Woodlawn

On Saturday, April 12th, Sunshine Gospel Ministries proudly hosted our very first Health & Wellness Fair at our Youth Outreach purpose room, located on 61st in the heart of Washington Park in the Woodlawn neighborhood. With over 30 attendees, the day was filled with engaging activities, vital health services, and a shared commitment to building a healthier community.

This initiative focused on physical health and featured a wide range of free health services including cholesterol screenings, HIV testing and counseling, immunizations, blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, and more, thanks to the dedication of our partners and health professionals.

Dr. Maya Green, MD, Founder and Chief Health & Equity Officer of Onyx Medical Wellness, delivered a powerful keynote address on the social determinants of health and how they continue to shape health outcomes and mortality rates in minority communities.
Attendees also took part in interactive breakout sessions, including calming yoga led by Blue Lotus and basic jiu-jitsu training hosted by Slayers MMA Academy. These sessions aimed to empower participants with practical tools for physical fitness and mental well-being.

We were honored to be joined by an incredible lineup of vendors. To name a few:

• Meridian
• AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation)
• Gift of Hope
• MetroSquash
• South Side Help Center
• Onyx Medical Wellness

The fair also featured raffles, giveaways, and a healthy lunch to keep everyone energized throughout the day. Everyone left with resources, inspiration, and a renewed sense of commitment to wellness.

This event was just the beginning. The Health & Wellness Fair is the first of a three-part series:

• Coming in late spring, our next installation will focus on mental health, in partnership with our annual Youth & Family Summit.
• The final event, with a date pending in the fall, will focus on nutrition in collaboration with our FamilyHood programming.

Thank you to everyone who participated, partnered, and helped make this day a success. Together, we are building a healthier, stronger community one step at a time.