2021 Lancaster Public Health Fair Round-Up

We believe everyone deserves safe, affordable, affirming, and accessible healthcare. Earlier this year, Planned Parenthood launched the bilingual Protect. Every. Body. campaign to inform and encourage folks to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This campaign focuses at the local and statewide level, emphasizing grassroots organizing to increase accessibility.

As part of this campaign, Planned Parenthood Association of Pennsylvania (PPAP) along with the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, the PA Department of Health, and Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Lancaster organized a Free Public Health Fair at Musser Park in Lancaster, PA on October 17th.

This was truly a community event with 13 impactful organizations present. The weather was beautiful, and the atmosphere was welcoming with DJB (@djb_on_the_track) spinning fun tunes.

In addition to the Public Health Fair highlighting the vaccination initiative, it promoted domestic violence awareness and information about local organizations advocating for the community. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and YWCA Lancaster and CAP, the Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County, were present to provide more resources to our community members.

The PA health department was at the park providing free COVID-19 vaccinations! A local affordable health center, Union Community Care, was also providing free flu vaccines. In all, 17 COVID-19 vaccines and 40 flu shots were administered.

A local coalition of bakers fundraised for Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County, and they raised $1,570! Patients R Waiting, a local health equity non-profit focused on increasing diversity in medicine, provided resources on their Diversifying Duolas Initiative and fresh free vegetables. In addition, the LGBTQ+ Coalition offered free at-home HIV test kits, and the team at Common Wheel offered simple bike repairs.

PPAP was able to supply over 100 condoms and PPE kits! And, we even provided a free, healthy lunch, thanks to a local deli, Smiley’s Deli!

Planned Parenthood Association of Pennsylvania is committed to making meaningful connections in Lancaster. The city and surrounding communities are diverse and all deserve inclusive and respectful healthcare. We believe everyone deserves quality care regardless of their gender identities, sexual orientation, race or immigration status.

We want to send a huge thank you to the organizers of this event: Raiz Organizers Carol and Alexis, and Protect. Every. Body. Youth Fellow, Auri. Thank you to all the organizations who provided resources to our neighbors. Thank you to all who volunteered, we couldn’t have done this without you! We hope to continue our advocacy for community outreach.

Our next event will be an Action Council on November 9 @ 5:30 PM for volunteers and supporters to take action in the fight for abortion access — across Pennsylvania and nationwide! Sign up today, and see you there!

Tags: covid19, vaccination, mutualaid, protect.every.body