Community Health Fair Hosted by The Family Partnership
The community health fair began in 2022 when there was an Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak during the summer. Men having sex with men and people exchanging sex for money were at the highest risk for infection. The PRIDE team at The Family Partnership found that most people did not know about the outbreak or how to get treatment.
The PRIDE team worked with the Minneapolis MPox Task Force and M Health Fairview in conjunction with the Minneapolis Department of Health to host clinics in November and December 2022 for the Mpox vaccine. Those clinics turned out to be a good way to connect people to resources and health care, in a neighborhood where it was needed, and within an organization with trust.
Jake Woodward, the coordinator from PRIDE, knew this fair needed to provide more than just information. He wanted to make sure there would be direct services, connections, and items that people need. With that in mind, Jake worked with the other organizations to set up the Community Health Fair.
The Family Partnership continues to host the Community Health Fair monthly and more organizations have joined.
We provide services in a caring and respectful way. We know people face many barriers to care, and want to meet them where they are.
Jake Woodward, PRIDE case manager
Organizations involved
- PRIDE
- Minneapolis Mpox Task Force
- M Health Fairview
- Hennepin County Streets to Housing
- Minneapolis Health Department
- Standpoint
- The Link
- Breaking Free
- Red Door Clinic
- Rainbow Health
- Access Wireless
Services and resources available
- Health insurance enrollment
- COVID vaccines
- Mpox vaccines
- Flu vaccines
- HIV and STI testing
- Hepatitis C testing and follow up treatment
- Legal advice
- Housing assessments
- Anti-sex trafficking resources
- Referrals for wound care
- Free phone service through Access Wireless
Blood pressure screenings, haircuts, and dental varnish are sometimes available as well.
Items Available
- Narcan
- Hygiene supplies
- Socks
- Snacks
- Water
- COVID tests
Community Health Fair Impact
The Community Health Fair has been successful in getting people connected to care and support. At one of the first clinics, a person came in and completed a housing assessment. A month later, they were moving into housing. People have tested positive for HIV and STIs and then connected to service providers for ongoing care. People have been able to connect to PRIDE to make use of the drop-in center and those not eligible for PRIDE have been connected to other programs that can help depending on their needs. Some people have been able to get a phone to use as a backup when they are in unsafe situations.
The Minneapolis Health Department values our partnership with The Family Partnership to provide free vaccines. We are seeing more people taking advantage of our clinics, especially those who need the services most. This is a direct result of our partnership that is keeping our communities safe and healthy.
Sebastiana Cervantes, Minneapolis Health Department
The Community Health Fair has strengthened relationships between service providers as well. Outreach staff from different organizations have been able to locate clients they are working with who may have been hard to find due to frequent encampment closures. PRIDE connected with with health outreach staff from Hennepin County which led to PRIDE having access to an on-call nurse.
The Community Health Fair has had a big impact on members of the community and the organizations who serve them.
The next Community Health Fair is on 12/5/23 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 1527 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407.
The Community Health Fair will continue in 2024. Visit our events page to find the dates once the schedule has been set.