The NEIU Office of Student Health Services hosted the Fall 2024 Student Health Fair, which brought together local health advocates organizations to promote student well-being. The fair featured kiosks providing information and resources to support students’ physical, emotional and social well-being. Attendees also had access to services ranging from free HIV testing to resources for community empowerment. Over 50 people attended the fair on Sept. 24, 2024 in NEIU’s Alumni Hall at the Student Union, including students, faculty and community members.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) had a wealth of resources to offer. Their table focused on public health issues such as vaccination, breast and cervical cancer screenings, COVID-19 prevention, suicide prevention, diabetes prevention and flu vaccination awareness. In regards to their commitment to inclusivity, an IDPH representative said, “Whether people have insurance or not, whether people are from here or not, as long as they belong to Earth, we will help them.”
Neither sex is immune to breast cancer. “Men are vulnerable to breast cancer as well, so we want them to call and check them as well,” said the IDPH representative. There are free programs available for breast and cervical cancers, for those of all gender identities.
In addition to cancer screenings, IDPH raised awareness about mental health resources, such as a 24/7 suicide crisis hotline. “We might not know what people are going through at any stage of their lives.” said the IDPH representative. IDPH had many things to offer at the Health Fair at their table, like free COVID-19 test kits, many informative brochures about the services they offer and much more.
Hamdard Health Alliance, is a non-profit health organization that showcased their holistic health services, particularly for immigrant and low-income communities. “They come in to apply for health insurance [and] medicaid; if [their] employment doesn’t offer [insurance], we also offer medical insurance at a low cost for those who cannot afford it,” said the Hamdard representative at the Student Health Fair. They also offered many other resources for students, and had useful merchandise like first aid kits, anti-bacterial napkins, hand sanitizers, bags and much more at their table. Their offices are located in Addison, IL and Rogers Park, Chicago. The organization is also planning on opening a branch in Skokie, IL.
Hiba Salman, a graduate student, represented NEIU Campus Recreation at the Health Fair. Salman demonstrated the variety of fitness opportunities offered this semester at Campus Recreation, such as weekly fitness classes including Zumba, yoga and stretching, that are free for NEIU students. Community members can also participate by purchasing a membership at a very low cost. When asked about her mission, Salman responded, “Exercise is essential for maintaining good health, and it’s a free, easy way to stay fit. My goal is to emphasize the necessity of incorporating fitness into our daily lives. Regular physical activity helps students stay focused, relaxed, stress-free and rejuvenated.”
Apna Ghar, which means “Our Home,” provides free, confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and their families. Located at 4350 North Broadway, their services include a 24-hour helpline, emergency center, counseling, legal advocacy, supervised visitation and safe exchange services. They offer volunteer and internship opportunities for students, who can inquire by emailing [email protected].
KAN-WIN, a social service organization in the northwest suburbs, focuses on eradicating domestic violence within the Asian American and immigrant communities. Their services include crisis intervention, transitional housing, advocacy, counseling and education. These services are available in multiple languages, such as Mongolian, Korean, Spanish, English and Mandarin Chinese.
KAN-WIN provides internship opportunities for students during the summer, and they run a 24-hour hotline for their services. The hotline serves as a crucial resource for individuals seeking immediate support, and a significant portion of their volunteers are students. Consequently, volunteers can participate after completing a mandatory 40-hour training program in November which is conducted virtually. The training has a fee, but it is waived for those volunteering with KAN-WIN.
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) serves the entire community, not just women. They offer a wide range of resources, including case management, food assistance, legal assistance, advocacy programs, housing, employment, mental health support, counseling and a Sexual Violence Support and Recovery (SVSR) program for survivors of sexual abuse. The YWCA provides free workshops for parents and offers volunteer and internship opportunities for students. The organization operates as a non-profit relying on donations and grants to fund its programs and services.
The NEIU Fall 2024 Health Fair was a spectacular success, bringing together essential resources and support for student well-being. This collaborative effort emphasizes the value of community engagement in creating a healthy campus environment for everybody.
