Health & Human Services
Our current Health & Human Services (HHS) signature program, SFLinksConnect: Building Healthy Communities was conceived by our chapter as a multi-year, multi-faceted, transformational program, to address health outcome disparities through outreach, information sharing and education; shifting from treating disease to preventing illness and promoting wellness. During this biennium, focus has been on Mental Health having become aware that so many of the health disparities in the community have a direct correlation to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Click here for ACEs resources.
MLK DAY 2024: BLACK K.A.R.E. HEALTH POP UP
Since 2012, The San Francisco Chapter of The Links, Incorporated continue our collaboration with the Norcal MLK Foundation to propel health equity and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With great pride we serve our communities at the forefront driving awareness and advocacy to address contemporary community health matters, such as, the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to address Toxic Stress in our youth towards mental wellness, and COVID-19.
This MLKDAY we spearheaded the MLK2024 Health & Wellness Fair with Black K.A.R.E. – Kidney Awareness Education Resources, a partnership between the Links national organization and Baxter to bring awareness and advocacy to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Special appreciation to Mayor London Breed for her opening comments in support of our chapter's work in San Francisco since 1950.
This year's festival featured celebrated community leaders, including Dr. Carla Wicks MD, OB-GYN Regional Medical Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity at Kaiser Permanente, Phyllis Bowie, Black Food Sovereignty Advocate #livingwithphyllis; and LaWanda Dickerson, Owner, Health and Wellness Life Coach at U3FIT and Commissioner, Small Business Commission, City and County of San Francisco.
The San Francisco Links provided prosperity meal kits - a testament to preserving Black tradition in collaboration with WISE Health, a health equity-focused partner striving to enhance healthy food access, foster economic empowerment, and nurture cultural awareness in San Francisco. Curated healthy produce kits, included a customary Black Southern New Year's meal symbolizing prosperity.
LEARN MORE - Kidney Basics - What is Healthy and Unhealthy https://youtu.be/EhvFW7NCN6g?si=FPypYKl0rnArzsqn
“A must-see film that celebrates the power of medicine and chronicles the ongoing fight to save our community.” – Valata Jenkins-Monroe, PhD, President, San Francisco Chapter of The Links, Inc.
MLK2022 HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENTS
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NorcalMLK Foundation continues to promote health and safety, and looks to extend community through the development of their MLK2021 Justice & Hope Video Anthology. View the San Francisco Links submission here.
RESILIENCE FILM SCREENING
In April 2019, the San Francisco Chapter of the Links, Incorporated partnered with the SF Citywide Revival Baptist Minister’s Conference to present “Resilience: The Biology of Stress & Science of Hope” at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church. Dr Monique LeSarre, Executive Director from Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness guided our community into a safe space following the viewing of the film and personal reactions to which they related to the content and reflection of trauma and toxic stress. The movie features the work of Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, ACEs champion and California's 1st Surgeon General.
“A must-see film that celebrates the power of medicine and chronicles the ongoing fight to save our community.” – Valata Jenkins-Monroe, PhD, President, San Francisco Chapter of The Links, Inc.
SF CITYWIDE REVIVAL HEALTH SCREENINGS
The San Francisco Links partnered March 18-21 in our 15th year with June R Wallace and Donor Network West to provide health screenings at the SF Citywide Revival Baptist Ministry Conference.
Many thanks to National Coalition of 100 Black Women 2019 Honoree June R Wallace, Community Service, Donor Network West Community Development Liaison and essential partner for addressing the critical need for organ and tissue donations in the African American community and lifestyle changes to prevent organ failure. She has built relationships, partnerships, and collaborated to foster trust and ensure consistent presence in communities of color throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley. She attributes her community outreach success to the use of three strategies: understand the culture of your community, send the right messenger to deliver the message, and long-term commitment.
WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH AWARENESS
The San Francisco Links raised awareness for Women’s Heart Health at their February meeting. Cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 50,000 African-American women annually, and only 52 percent of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Please schedule regular check ups with your physician, stay active and limit your salt and sodium intake.
ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs) RESOURCES
Additional information on ACEs and the ACE study
