Since the last newsletter, we have attended health fairs, partnered with Harlem Townhouse, Inc. and enhanced the structure and resources of the support group that has begun at Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Harlem Week Health Fair was a huge and successful event in the bright sun of Sunday, August 20th. We had great interest on the part of the crowd. Many stories were shared about personal experiences with family members with the disease. “She is always in the moment,” one stopper by shouted exuberantly, in describing his 85 year old mother. “If I could be that way, I’d sleep better, it’s a quality worth learning.”

At the State Office building plaza on 125th Street, community health providers gathered on Sept. 9th at more than 70 tables to provide information on health and safety. It was Central Harlem Health Revival Week and Health Fair, targeting high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and stroke. The plaza was filled with families. In the afternoon, children gyrated joyfully in hula-hoop contests. We had many visitors to our table who were eager to hear about our services. Janet Rosemary Irving Mitchell, Chapter Care Consultant, took part in the day as did Allisha Ellis, who has recently joined us as the co-leader for the support group at Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Harlem Townhouse, Inc. was founded within the last three years by two psychologists, Dorothy Cunningham and Michelle Owens. Its purpose is to bring people of color, and others who are interested, to the Harlem community to experience its rich heritage. In recognition of the needs of family caregivers, Harlem Townhouse is contributing the events free of charge to the Alzheimer’s Association family support group members. The newsletter and invitations were distributed to group members in October. For more information about these programs, please contact the NYC Chapter at 646-744-2922 or by e-mail at rirving@alznyc.org.

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