By:  Lesly Diaz, Business & Community Liaison

 Homestead Job Corps Center (HJCC), operated by ResCare, hosted a Health and Safety Fair on June 15 to celebrate Job Corps’ Universal Safety Week. More than 30 employers and community agencies set up booths in the Homestead Job Corps Center student auditorium. Hundreds of students and staff browsed the informational booths that provided health and safety-related materials and demonstrations.

 Some booths were interactive, allowing guests to participate in health screenings. Homestead Hospital (Baptist Health System) offered complimentary cholesterol, bone density, and glucose screenings. The Community Blood Bank of South Florida hosted a blood drive during the fair. Other agencies in attendance included Walgreens Pharmacy, Miami-Dade Health Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, Homestead Police Department Project SOS, Florida Heart Research Institute and the American Cancer Society just to name a few. 

 “It was wonderful to meet the young people participating in the Job Corps program. They had such terrific attitudes, offered insightful and thoughtful questions and many had connections to someone with epilepsy. I also enjoyed meeting several of the dedicated staff,” stated Deanna Kirtman, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.

 The Miami-Dade Police Department displayed a rescue helicopter which was a highlight for students and staff. 

 “The participation from our community partners was so terrific. Students and staff were able to get information on such a wide range of health and safety-related services in our community. We are extremely grateful for the support we received,” stated Anthony Taylor, Center Director for Homestead Job Corps Center.

 Representatives from the offices of Congressman David Rivera, Commissioner Lynda Bell and the Office of the State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle were in attendance. Charlene Collazo, from the Office of Commissioner Lynda Bell, said “Anything we can do to help your students and staff is what we are here for. Job Corps is a great program and we intend to stay involved in its mission.”

 HJCC medical students and instructors in the fields of Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Records and Nursing Assistant set up exhibits and presented information that is part of their curriculum. Carmen Saez and Betty Collins, both HJCC Medical Assistant Instructors whose students attended the Health and Safety Fair, stated that the event was a “great success.” The students gained medical and non-medical knowledge which will be further discussed in their trade classrooms. Many of their students also volunteered at the event and learned how important teamwork and cooperation are in the medical fields.

 Each year, the National Safety Council (NSC) observes June as National Safety Month. For the second year in a row, the National Job Corps Association has sponsored Universal Safety Week. The purpose of the safety week is to highlight health issues and allow Job Corp centers across the nation to get involved. As part of this initiative, the HJCC Health and Safety Fair provided the community with a chance to learn more about their health and how they can keep themselves safe. The fair also offered an opportunity to honor students and staff for the contributions they make to their Job Corp centers and local community. Each student volunteer and staff member received a gift bag filled with healthy items. Pamphlets donated by Publix Supermarkets on subjects such as health eating and hurricane preparedness, were also enclosed.