Tag: Health + Wellness

NewYork-Presbyterian + Alliance Offer Mobile Health Services

September 4, 2024

As part of our commitment to addressing health disparities in our community, Prospect Park Alliance is collaborating with NewYork-Presbyterian to offer mobile sexual health services in Brooklyn’s Backyard at Grand Army Plaza every Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Recent months have shown increases in some sexually transmitted infections, throughout the country including New York City. This rise of rates in our city makes it all the more essential for our community to be knowledgeable on their  sexual health and have access to resources available in our community.

The full-service Sexual Health Mobile Medical Unit offers comprehensive sexual health care with a focus on addressing HIV, hepatitis C and sexual health disparities in our community, including those who are at risk for sexually transmitted infections and are not connected to services or face significant barriers to engaging in care in traditional medical settings. 

Learn more about the Mobile Medical Unit in Prospect Park. No insurance or ID is required to receive care.

Staffed by a team of NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare providers, the mobile unit has a fully equipped exam room, and offers the following services: gender-affirming and LGBTQ+ care, family planning services, routine laboratory testing, sexual health vaccinations, health education and hepatitis C screening. Patients are also offered the opportunity to be connected to social services, benefits enrollment and local healthcare providers. 

“In recent years it has become more clear than ever before how essential Prospect Park is for the health and well-being of the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home,” said Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “Prospect Park is a place of comfort and healing to so many, and the pandemic illustrated how important access to quality health care is and how far we have to go to ensure everyone has access. Being able to offer direct and accessible healthcare in Brooklyn’s Backyard is crucial to help our community go from surviving to thriving. Teaming up with NewYork-Presbyterian’s Sexual Health Mobile Medical Unit was a perfect match to strengthen connections to much needed social, health and wellness services.”

The Sexual Health mobile medical unit is made possible through funding from the Dalio Center for Health Justice and the Division of Community and Population Health at NewYork-Presbyterian, and a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn more about Health + Wellness in Brooklyn’s Backyard.

c. Obed Obwoge

Get Into the Rhythm of Wellness in Prospect Park

August 7, 2024

Where do New York City’s top DJs, most vibrant fashion, family-friendly activities, fitness workshops and health and wellness resources come together? Right in the heart of Brooklyn’s Backyard at the Community Health Awareness and Family Reunion Day of Fun on Sunday, August 18, at Lefferts Historic House.

The event is the brainchild of Brooklynites James Frazier and DJ T-Groove who established the Family Reunion Initiative when they saw firsthand how coming out of the pandemic that many fell out of traditional primary care and health screenings. The initiative engages the Brooklyn community in the importance of health and wellness by leveraging family-friendly community events with music, fashion and more. The event includes a celebration of the 30th anniversary of iconic Moshood Fashions; a book signing with the legendary Harold Dow of The Dow Twins for their new book “50 Years of Disco Reflection: The Dow Twins Legacy”; free health screenings, Zumba and aerobics with instructor LyneLuvDance; music by DJ T-Groove, DJ ADAPTA and DJ Debonair, hosted by Sherwin XL; and much more.

From producing television shows to managing musicians, Frazier is immersed in the ways entertainment can bring people together. “I was looking at the data in our community about high blood pressure and diabetes and knew we needed to do our part. It’s powerful to bring people together in a party type of setting, and to have that celebratory space be a place for health education and resources. There is really a need for this.” 

It is also Frazier’s music industry connections that first introduced him to the Alliance. “I learned about Lefferts Historic House from my longtime collaborator DJ Vic Black of the Gangstarr group. I came out to the Lefferts Historic House, met the Prospect Park Alliance team and learned about the work happening here and thought, ‘This is a gem!’ I knew we had to collaborate,” shares Frazier. “My partners and I are already on the ground doing this work out in the community, so it was truly a no-brainer to connect with Prospect Park Alliance. The work happening with the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative is a natural fit alongside our work to engage our community while addressing the clear need for health resources.” 

“Prospect Park is a place of comfort and healing to so many – whether through the wellness benefits of spending time in nature, finding community at public programs, and making memories with loved ones, the park is truly where life happens.” shares Prospect Park Alliance President, Morgan Monaco. “Teaming up with the Family Reunion initiative to offer park-goers essential wellness support and education here in Brooklyn’s Backyard while fostering joy and celebrating with loved ones is core to what our open green spaces are all about, and what make them so essential to our community.” 

“The goal is to unite the community as a whole, regardless of race, gender, and class, to foster a real nurturing environment without fear, and to support our youth with the correct tools so they can in turn empower their peers,” says DJ T-Groove. The Family Reunion team launched their first Prospect Park-based event at Lefferts Historic House in 2023, inspired by the work of Noel Hankin, a giant in the ’70s and ’80s in disco clubs in New York City, who catapulted the disco industry worldwide. Back for a second year with many new community collaborators, this can’t-miss event will bring the community together through community partners, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, all with a shared vision or a thriving Brooklyn community.

RSVP Today to join the Community Health Awareness and Family Reunion Day of Fun.

Fuel Up! Free Lunch + Food Benefits in Prospect Park

July 17, 2024

Fuel up this summer in Prospect Park! Did you know that eating healthy foods can increase your lifespan, reduce risks of chronic disease and even boost your mood and support mental health? Brooklyn’s Backyard is a haven for health and wellness all year long, and this summer, Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Department of Education and GrowNYC are sharing even more ways to fuel up and stay healthy, from a free lunch truck for youth to our greenmarkets offering food benefits for fresh locally grown produce, globally-inspired ingredients and much more.

Learn more about free and low-cost healthy food resources in Prospect Park. 

Free Summer Meals Truck
Parkside and Ocean Avenue Entrance
Daily through August 30: 10 am–4 pm on weekdays and 11 am–3 pm on weekends
Calling all youth! Youth ages 18 and under can stop by the Free Meals Truck at the Parkside and Ocean Avenue Entrance to Prospect Park for free healthy and delicious food options daily through August 30. Distributed by the NYC Department of Education in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance, the truck offers a menu of healthy options all summer long including sandwiches, salads, wraps, hummus, snacks and more. Learn more and view the daily menu.

GrowNYC Greenmarket Food Access Initiatives
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, Saturdays, Year Round, 8 am–4 pm
Bartel-Pritchard Square Greenmarket, Wednesdays, Year Round, 8 am–2 pm and Sundays, May 12–December 22, 9 am–2 pm

As part of GrowNYC’s mission to provide equitable access to fresh food, all GrowNYC Greenmarkets, including Brooklyn’s flagship Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza and the Greenmarket at Bartel-Pritchard Square, offer a range of ways to purchase healthy, nutritious locally grown food. From Pipicha and Papalo to Green and Red Shiso to Copalchi and Callaloo, so many fresh ingredients can be found at Greenmarkets in Prospect Park. Whether you’re searching for flavors of home or trying out a new recipe, GrowNYC Greenmarkets in Prospect Park offer fresh ingredients to help you create dishes from cultures across the globe. 

Plus, the markets accept a range of nutrition benefit programs: 

  • Summer EBT: Beginning in July 2024, New York State will launch Summer EBT (Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer), a new program that provides families with food benefits to help buy groceries during the summer when school children might not have access to school meals. Most eligible children will receive Summer EBT food benefits automatically; however, some families may need to apply. Learn more about eligibility and what Summer EBT means for your family.
  • SNAP/EBT Benefits: All year long, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), including Summer EBT, can be used to purchase any edible item at the market including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, honey, jam, dairy, breads and baked goods. Visit the market information tent to swipe your EBT-SNAP card in exchange for wooden tokens that can be spent at the market.
  • Health Bucks: Health Bucks are $2 coupons sponsored by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at all farmers markets throughout New York City. To help stretch SNAP benefits and encourage the purchase of healthy local food, anyone who spends $2 in SNAP benefits at the Greenmarket will receive a bonus $2 Health Buck, for up to $10 per day.
  • Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP): The New York State Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) helps provide fresh fruits and vegetables to women, infants, children and low-income older adults. FMNP distributes five $5 checks to eligible participants for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets from June through November.
  • FreshConnect Coupons: FreshConnect Coupons are $2 coupons distributed at Division of Veterans’ Affairs offices to military veterans, and service members and their families. These coupons can be used at Greenmarkets to purchase any SNAP-eligible item.

 Learn about all Nutrition Benefit Programs accepted at GrowNYC markets.

Wonder how you can make the most of your benefits at Greenmarkets in Prospect Park? Speak with representatives on site at the GrowNYC information tent to help you find out the best option for you. Plus, stop by the GrowNYC information tent to pick up free recipes, view cooking demonstrations from guest chefs from local restaurants and speak with local community groups.

Learn more about health and wellness in Brooklyn’s Backyard.

Free Health + Wellness Events in Brooklyn’s Backyard

May 23, 2024

Did you know that spending just 30 minutes in nature a day can decrease stress, lessen feelings of loneliness, lower blood pressure and promote wellbeing?

Whether admiring the trees from a park bench, enjoying a woodland stroll, yoga class or a high-intensity interval training session, there are countless ways that spending time in nature can help sustain your health.

If an Rx for Nature is just what the doctor ordered, join us for a range of health and wellness classes to make the most of your time in Prospect Park and be your healthiest self all summer long!

View our events below, and for more information visit prospectpark.org/wellness.

Prospect Park Yoga
Thursdays, May 30–August 29, 7–8 pm
Long Meadow North (Enter at Third Street or Grand Army Plaza)
Learn More + RSVP
Brooklyn’s most beloved outdoor yoga series is back in Prospect Park! Brooklyn Flow, Prospect Park Alliance and NewYork-Presbyterian present free, outdoor yoga on the Long Meadow. Brooklyn’s finest yoga teachers from different studios around the park lead free, outdoor group yoga classes in a low-pressure, beautiful environment. Join hundreds of Brooklynites each week to celebrate yoga and wellness in our treasured Prospect Park. Bring your own mat or towel, a bottle of water and friends. All levels are welcome. Please sign the waiver prior to your first class.

Free Fitness Walks in Prospect Park for Adults Ages 60+
Tuesdays, June 4–June 25, 10–11 am
Locations Vary
Learn More + RSVP
Join Prospect Park Alliance and Heights + Hills for free fitness group walks in Prospect Park for adults ages 60 and over. Explore the park while discussing the importance of exercise and movement, particularly for people experiencing arthritis. Participants will receive guidance on developing their own personal walking and exercise programs. Walks will be on the park’s paved walkways at a slow to moderate pace.

AMP’d Interval Training with Chelsea Piers Fitness 
Tuesdays, June 11–July 30, 6–7 pm
Prospect Park Long Meadow (enter at Third Street or Grand Army Plaza)
Learn More + RSVP
Join Chelsea Piers Fitness and Prospect Park Alliance to hit the grass and push your body to new limits in this high-intensity interval training class that combines bodyweight strength and cardio on the Prospect Park Long Meadow. You will move through a range of movements from running and jumping to lunges and crunches to keep you motivated and energized. All levels are welcome.

Energy Healing and Meditation Workshop
Mondays, June 10, 17, 24, July 15, 22 and Tuesday, July 23, 8:30–9 am
10th Avenue Lawn
Learn More + RSVP
Join Tell Every Amazing Lady® and Prospect Park Alliance for a free 30-minute guided meditation moderated by Jane Weedon MSPT, MFA, of Integrated Physical Therapy and Healing Arts, to help you relax and focus on your wellness before kicking off your day!

Prospect Park Wellness Walks 
Fridays through June 28, 10 am–12 pm
Prospect Park Audubon Center
Learn More + RSVP
Join Prospect Park Alliance at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for an uplifting and energizing morning walk along the scenic trails of the Lullwater, Peninsula, Midwood and park waterfalls.

Prospect Park Stroller Walks 
Thursdays through June 27, 10 am–12 pm
Prospect Park Audubon Center
Learn More + RSVP
Calling all parents and caregivers with children! Join Prospect Park Alliance naturalists for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways. Embrace the sound of streams and songs of birds; enjoy fragrant flowers and explore the towering trees of Brooklyn’s Backyard.