Members of the Access to Health Care Task Force of Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc., have been meeting with Pastor John Amaral, the chaplain for the Seekonk and Rehoboth Fire Departments, now a member of the Task Force. Pastor John has been instrumental in encouraging area  Latino pastors to attend  breakfast presentations by the Task Force at McGovern's Restaurant on both last year and this year, to learn about the availability of health care in Greater Fall River. Task Force chairperson Paula Harrison from HealthFirst Family Care Center explained the importance of having a primary care physician and avoiding hospital emergency rooms for non-emergent situations. Pat Fanning from Family Services Association, Lisa Alves from the Fall River WIC Program, Millie Castro from CFC Family Planning, and Keisha DeJesus from SSTAR also provided information about the services their respective programs provide. The pastors were grateful for the information and agreed to pass it along to their congregations. Task Force members are available to provide informational presentations regarding health care accessibility at each of the Brazilian and Latino churches and to any other interested group upon request. Click here for photos of last year's breakfast.For further information contact Paula Harrison at 774-627-1204.
 

(Top row) Pastor John Amaral welcomes the group of Latino church representatives to the meeting at McGovern's Restaurant and then greets Millie Castro and Ann Medeiros from Family Planning and Brenda Viveiros. (Middle row) Participants give thanks before helping themselves to a late morning breakfast served by McGovern's. (Bottom row) Access to Health Care Task Force Paula Harrison and SSTAR representative Keisha DeJesus talk about the services of the two health centers in both English and Spanish.

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