The Fall River Housing Authority held its second annual health and human services fair for the residents of the Father Diaferio Village on July 8, 2009. Representatives of local health and human service organizations were on hand to display information, hand out literature and answer questions for residents of the development. In addition to the indoor displays, the Southcoast Hospital health van was also open in the parking lot nearby to provide free health screenings. This activity is one example of the many events organized by the Housing Authority to build community and promote health among over 20,000 residents of public housing in Fall River. To see pictures of last year's event click here, and for other activities that take place in the housing developments, click here, here and here. For more information about this and other activities in the Housing Authority developments, contact Youth Coordinator Joseph DaSilva at 508-675-3527.
 

(Top row) Fall River Housing Authority summer staff member Jorge Cabrera heads out to notify residents of the Community Fair going on in the community room at the Father Diaferio housing development before returning to meet McGruff the Crime Dog from the Fall River Police Department. (Middle row, left) Ciara and Asia Garrafa get a Polaroid photo of themselves with McGruff the Crime Dog. (Middle row, center) Former Red Sox player Brian Rose from the District Attorney' Office gives fourteen-year-old Freddy Perez an autographed baseball. (Middle row, right) Eleven-year-old Sokhanara Chhum and ten-year-old Eric Johnson look over a booklet depicting healthy food choices with Children In Balance project coordinator Marcia Picard. (Bottom row, left) Giulia Khoury paints Ayna Jones' face outside on the terrace of the Father Diaferio's community center. (Bottom row, center) Eight-year-olds Jonathan Mitchel and Jay Johnson look at their photo at the Department of Transitional Assistance table. (Bottom row, right) MassCALL2 coordinator Jenna Lagasse displays information on reducing opiate overdoses.