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FOR RELEASE
February 28, 2020
Media Inquiries
Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation
(214) 670-4678
andrea.hawkins@dallascityhall.com
Dallas Park and Recreation partners with national sorority to address health disparities among south Dallas residents with free health and wellness expo
More than 1,000 expected to attend March 28 expo organized by Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Dallas' park department
(DALLAS) – The Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, Incorporated will partner with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department to host an inaugural Community Health and Wellness Expo at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 2901 Pennsylvania Ave, Dallas 75215. The free event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2020.
In a 2019 Dallas County Health Assessment Report, it was documented that the five zip codes where health disparities are the most acute are located in south Dallas: 75210, 75215, 75216, 75217 and 75241. The average life expectancy for someone living in the 75215 zip code is the lowest in the county at 66 compared to the highest life expectancy of 90 years in the 75204 zip code that is just north of downtown.
Both hosting organizations have a mutual commitment to improving the health of their community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated through its Five Point Programmatic Thrust, offers initiatives in Physical and Mental Health. The park department in alignment with the National Park and Recreation Association facilitates programs that are consistent with one of the national organization's three guiding pillars of recreation - health and wellness. Together, these organizations recognize the importance of improved public health and access.
Attendees will have access to health screenings, mental health providers, nutritionists, heart health providers, fitness demonstrations, vision and dental screenings, skin care, financial health resources and education and awareness on completing the 2020 Census. There are more than 50 vendors registered for this event and organizers are anticipating an attendance in excess of 1,000. Expo attendees will also have an opportunity to complete their Census 2020, event organizers want to be certain the residents of Southern Dallas are accounted for in the upcoming United States Census.
The location of the Community Health and Wellness Expo was intentionally selected. The event organizers wanted a place centrally located in “Sunny South Dallas” and wanted a space that was respected and a known community gathering place.
“Hosting the event at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center was a no-brainer. Dallas Park and Recreation Department is consistently looking for ways to engage the community in wellness opportunities through our programs and facilities. Recreation centers serve as the health and wellness hub in many Dallas communities. This expo will provide us an opportunity to showcase fitness classes and wellness programs that are offered at our 43 facilities. We anticipate an increase in program participation and fitness room attendance as a result of this expo,” said Crystal R. Ross, assistant director with Dallas Park and Recreation.
“We hope our Community Health and Wellness Expo will be a start to connecting community members to resources needed to sustain a long-healthy life. We are partnering with organizations that are affordable, accessible and recognize that there are health disparities in Southern Dallas, and they want to provide solutions,” said Tonya Muraguri, the sorority's chapter president.
The Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae (MDA) Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was chartered on August 8, 1985, with members who wanted to improve the quality of life in Dallas and build a rich legacy of dedicated service to the metropolitan community by promoting academic excellence, encouraging community and social activism and providing solutions to community concerns.
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