SCI Says Farewell to VEAP Grant, But Our Commitment to Health Equity Continues!
SCI Says Farewell to VEAP Grant, But Our Commitment to Health Equity Continues!
For the past three years, Social Capital Inc. (SCI) has been proud to be a part of the Vaccine Equity & Access Program (VEAP), funded by the CDC in partnership with Community Catalyst. Through this grant-funded program, we’ve worked diligently to improve vaccine confidence and access, especially among those most at risk, within our local communities including our hometown of Woburn as well as the nearby cities of Malden, Everett, Revere, and Lynn.
While VEAP funding has come to an end, SCI’s dedication to building healthier communities for all remains strong. We’re excited to explore new ways to leverage the valuable lessons learned and partnerships developed during this program.
Looking Back at VEAP: A Legacy of Community Outreach and Education
We are deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by this funding, allowing us to connect with the community in new and meaningful ways.
Throughout SCI’s VEAP operation, we trained trusted community members to advocate for vaccination within their networks. We also translated and distributed a wealth of educational materials, ensuring that people had access to clear and accurate information about vaccines, disease prevention, and healthy living.
Our community outreach events enabled us to engage face-to-face, listening to concerns, answering questions, and distributing materials and essential items such as hand sanitizer, test kits, masks, and vaccine information.
In the digital space, we promoted vaccine clinics through social media and published a weekly newsletter and blog addressing relevant vaccine topics and beyond.
Working Together to Address Emerging Needs in Our Communities
SCI has a long tradition of leveraging our relationships to address emerging needs. As migrant families from Haiti began arriving in Woburn and other Massachusetts cities in the summer of 2023, SCI was there to welcome and support them. We are proud to be one of the many Woburn organizations, churches, and volunteers who have played a key part in providing food, clothing, and care for these refugee families who have become a part of our community.
VEAP Outreach Coordinator Vitalie Memeus called on her own experience moving here from Haiti and has been working tirelessly to support the newly arrived families. She has played a pivotal role in fostering trust and providing crucial resources.
When the families first arrived last summer, SCI’s focus along with other partners, was helping families meet their basic needs. We have maintained an email list with over 400 hundred individuals interested in being notified of opportunities to help by volunteering or donating items the families need.
As time has progressed, SCI’s efforts have turned to finding ways to help integrate the newcomers into community life. For instance, some 50 of the newcomers volunteered as part of SCI’s annual raking for seniors project. More recently, Vitalie has been working with the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club to help the migrant youth get into summer program opportunities.
Our collaborative efforts with these families garnered significant media attention, including features in the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/10/us/migrant-crisis-massachusetts-woburn.html and Channel 7 https://whdh.com/news/migrants-join-volunteers-to-rake-leaves-for-senior-citizens-in-woburn. We’re proud of the positive impact we are making and deeply appreciate Vitalie’s ongoing dedication to this cause!
Building New Partnerships
In 2023, the third year of SCI VEAP, SCI was given the opportunity to invite another community-based organization to join as a partner on the program. The Council of Social Concern (CSC), a charitable, community-focused agency headquartered in Woburn was a natural choice, given their commitment to community well-being to a diverse population.
A new collaboration between the Council of Social Concern and SCI began to conduct educational outreach about the safety and efficacy of the flu and COVID vaccines and CSC and SCI collaborated on a range of educational activities and community events. This included a very successful Back to School Backpack giveaway event and providing COVID vaccine information out at the Council’s annual Thanksgiving food distribution event.
Looking Ahead: Staying Healthy All Year
Although this program has come to an end, we wanted to leave you with some useful information and insights. Our Year-Round Guide to Staying Healthy (below) has some tips to keep you and your loved ones healthy throughout the changing seasons:
A Year-Round Guide to Staying Healthy
Spring (March-May):
Spring is a time of renewal, and it’s a perfect time to refresh your health habits! Consider incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, and get outside for some exercise and fresh air.
It’s also a great time to catch up on preventative health care. As highlighted in our email “Spring into Action with Healthy Habits for a Fresh Start this Spring!“, this is a great time to schedule any overdue check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations for yourself and your family!
Summer (June-August):
Summer fun often involves spending time outdoors. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and seek shade during peak UV hours. Staying hydrated is crucial in hot weather – carry a reusable water bottle and sip throughout the day.
Before all the summer fun and get-togethers begin you should be sure you are up to date on your COVID booster shot!
College students? Get vaccinated before fall – check in with your doctor about meningitis, Tdap, Hep B, HPV, COVID-19, and flu shots for a healthy semester! Check out “An Important Reminder for College Students” for more info on important vaccinations for college students.
Fall (September-November):
Fall is the best time to prepare for the winter respiratory season. Be sure to protect yourself and your loved ones with a flu shot – getting vaccinated early (around September or October) is ideal. Don’t forget to check if you’re due for a COVID booster too! Consider getting both vaccines in the fall for maximum protection. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also a concern for infants, older people and some other at-risk groups. Talk to your doctor about preventative measures for RSV if you have family members at risk.
For parents, preparing for back-to-school season means more than just school supplies and new clothes. Schedule well-child visits and ensure your children are up-to-date on vaccinations to keep them healthy and ready for a new school year! It’s also a great time to make sure you’re up-to-date on preventative care. Our “Back To School, Back on Track” email has some additional resources you may be interested in.
Winter (December-February):
Cold and flu season is at it’s peak in winter. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help keep your immune system strong during the holidays.
Frequent handwashing and social distancing when sick are essential to prevent the spread of germs, (see our “Winter Wellness” and “Preparing for a Healthier Holiday Season” emails for more details and tips).
Most importantly, protect yourself and your loved ones with vaccinations. It’s not too late to get your flu shot and ensure you are up-to-date on COVID-19 boosters. If relevant, talk to your doctor about the new RSV vaccines for older adults or the RSV monoclonal antibody for infants.
Stay Tuned!
David Crowley, founder of SCI had a few words to share on the closing of this chapter “As we wind down this grant program, we are exploring ways we can build on the lessons and collaborations developed through this grant in order to continue promoting healthy, equitable communities for all. Stay tuned!”
In the meantime, learn more about our ongoing support for migrant families in Woburn here: https://socialcapitalinc.org/migrant-youth-summer-camps-2024 and check out our VEAP Newsletter archive https://socialcapitalinc.org/veap for more tips to stay healthy year-round!
For the past three years, Social Capital Inc. (SCI) has been proud to partner with the Vaccine Equity & Access Program (VEAP). Through this grant-funded program, we’ve worked diligently to improve vaccine confidence and access, especially among those most at risk, within our local communities including our hometown of Woburn as well as the nearby cities of Malden, Everett, Revere, and Lynn.
While VEAP funding has come to an end, SCI’s dedication to building healthier communities for all remains strong. We’re excited to explore new ways to leverage the valuable lessons learned and partnerships developed during this program.
Looking Back at VEAP: A Legacy of Community Outreach and Education
We are deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by this funding, allowing us to connect with the community in new and meaningful ways.
Throughout SCI’s VEAP operation, we trained trusted community members to advocate for vaccination within their networks. We also translated and distributed a wealth of educational materials, ensuring that people had access to clear and accurate information about vaccines, disease prevention, and healthy living.
Our community outreach events enabled us to engage face-to-face, listening to concerns, answering questions, and distributing materials and essential items such as hand sanitizer, test kits, masks, and vaccine information.
In the digital space, we promoted vaccine clinics through social media and published a weekly newsletter and blog addressing relevant vaccine topics and beyond.
Working Together to Address Emerging Needs in Our Communities
SCI has a long tradition of leveraging our relationships to address emerging needs. As migrant families from Haiti began arriving in Woburn and other Massachusetts cities in the summer of 2023, SCI was there to welcome and support them. We are proud to be one of the many Woburn organizations, churches, and volunteers who have played a key part in providing food, clothing, and care for these refugee families who have become a part of our community.
VEAP Outreach Coordinator Vitalie Memeus called on her own experience moving here from Haiti and has been working tirelessly to support the newly arrived families. She has played a pivotal role in fostering trust and providing crucial resources.
When the families first arrived last summer, SCI’s focus along with other partners, was helping families meet their basic needs. We have maintained an email list with over 400 hundred individuals interested in being notified of opportunities to help by volunteering or donating items the families need.
As time has progressed, SCI’s efforts have turned to finding ways to help integrate the newcomers into community life. For instance, some 50 of the newcomers volunteered as part of SCI’s annual raking for seniors project. More recently, Vitalie has been working with the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club to help the migrant youth get into summer program opportunities.
Our collaborative efforts with these families garnered significant media attention, including features in the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/10/us/migrant-crisis-massachusetts-woburn.html and Channel 7 . We’re proud of the positive impact we are making and deeply appreciate Vitalie’s ongoing dedication to this cause!
Building New Partnerships
In 2023, the third year of SCI VEAP, SCI was given the opportunity to invite another community-based organization to join as a partner on the program. The Council of Social Concern (CSC), a charitable, community-focused agency headquartered in Woburn was a natural choice, given their commitment to community well-being to a diverse population.
A new collaboration between the Council of Social Concern and SCI began to conduct educational outreach about the safety and efficacy of the flu and COVID vaccines and CSC and SCI collaborated on a range of educational activities and community events. This included a very successful Back to School Backpack giveaway event and providing COVID vaccine information out at the Council’s annual Thanksgiving food distribution event.
Looking Ahead: Staying Healthy All Year
Although this program has come to an end, we wanted to leave you with some useful information and insights. Our Year-Round Guide to Staying Healthy (below) has some tips to keep you and your loved ones healthy throughout the changing seasons:
A Year-Round Guide to Staying Healthy
Spring (March-May):
Spring is a time of renewal, and it’s a perfect time to refresh your health habits! Consider incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, and get outside for some exercise and fresh air.
It’s also a great time to catch up on preventative health care. As highlighted in our email “Spring into Action with Healthy Habits for a Fresh Start this Spring!“, this is a great time to schedule any overdue check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations for yourself and your family!
Summer (June-August):
Summer fun often involves spending time outdoors. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and seek shade during peak UV hours. Staying hydrated is crucial in hot weather – carry a reusable water bottle and sip throughout the day.
Before all the summer fun and get-togethers begin you should be sure you are up to date on your COVID booster shot!
College students? Get vaccinated before fall – check in with your doctor about meningitis, Tdap, Hep B, HPV, COVID-19, and flu shots for a healthy semester! Check out “An Important Reminder for College Students” for more info on important vaccinations for college students.
Fall (September-November):
Fall is the best time to prepare for the winter respiratory season. Be sure to protect yourself and your loved ones with a flu shot – getting vaccinated early (around September or October) is ideal. Don’t forget to check if you’re due for a COVID booster too! Consider getting both vaccines in the fall for maximum protection. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also a concern for infants, older people and some other at-risk groups. Talk to your doctor about preventative measures for RSV if you have family members at risk.
For parents, preparing for back-to-school season means more than just school supplies and new clothes. Schedule well-child visits and ensure your children are up-to-date on vaccinations to keep them healthy and ready for a new school year! It’s also a great time to make sure you’re up-to-date on preventative care. Our “Back To School, Back on Track” email has some additional resources you may be interested in.
Winter (December-February):
Cold and flu season is at it’s peak in winter. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help keep your immune system strong during the holidays.
Frequent handwashing and social distancing when sick are essential to prevent the spread of germs, (see our “Winter Wellness” and “Preparing for a Healthier Holiday Season” emails for more details and tips).
Most importantly, protect yourself and your loved ones with vaccinations. It’s not too late to get your flu shot and ensure you are up-to-date on COVID-19 boosters. If relevant, talk to your doctor about the new RSV vaccines for older adults or the RSV monoclonal antibody for infants.
Stay Tuned!
David Crowley, founder of SCI had a few words to share on the closing of this chapter “As we wind down this grant program, we are exploring ways we can build on the lessons and collaborations developed through this grant in order to continue promoting healthy, equitable communities for all. Stay tuned!”
In the meantime, learn more about our ongoing support for migrant families in Woburn here: https://socialcapitalinc.org/migrant-youth-summer-camps-2024 and check out our VEAP Newsletter archive https://socialcapitalinc.org/veap for more tips to stay healthy year-round!
