August 22, 2015: Political Voice
Another beautiful day and record-breaking attendance!
Many of our walks address traditional health topics, like asthma and dental health. This walk we were pleased to share a non-traditional approach to family and community health, involving access to political action. To that end we visited the office of Melissa Mark-Viverito, representing District 8 of the City Council.
The District Office is a resource for resources! Anyone with a question on just about anything can visit the office without an appointment and find out what East Harlem has to offer on the topic: housing, employment, city regulations, health issues, exercise programs, legal services, and even salsa lessons!
After our intro talk (thanks to summer students Stella Chong and Katelynn Pan) we headed right to the office where Community Affairs Director Max Cantarero hosted our families in discussing the breadth of services available to people of all ages and regardless of immigration status. Thanks, Max!
Our next stop was another great neighborhood resource: Chenchita’s Community Garden. Our host, Angela Maull welcomed us and showed us what the garden has to offer. A children’s library, performance and community event space, and, of course, the gardens! We relaxed among the greenery and enjoyed our apples and bananas, with extra snacks provided by Angela and water flavored with herbs from the garden. Can’t wait to return!
Stats
Date: August 22, 2015
Adults: 42
Children: 53
Total: 95
Miles: 1.04
Calories: 280*
Time: about 2 hours
Co-leaders: Jude Appiah, Stella Chong, Cappy Collins, Deysi Martinez, Emma Murphy, Katelynn Pan
Special thanks to Andres Mares Muro with the NYC DOE’s Pre-K for All program, Don Williams from the Pre-K program at Community Life Center at 221 East 122 Street (Taino Towers), Max Cantarero and Stephanie Arroyo with the City Council District 8 East Harlem Office, and Angela Maull with Chenchita’s Community Garden.
*http://www.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htm
“Walking, under 2.0 mph, very slow,” 155lbs = 140 kcal/hr