Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 2413 FEBRUARY 2017 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS A Year in Northeast Park Hill It's been a year now since the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being opened, at 3401 Eudora St, Denver, CO 80207. The Dahlia Campus is the result of a strong partnership between the Mental Health Center of Denver and the Northeast Park Hill community, and based on the idea that those in the community are the ones who know how to best improve their health and well-being. Northeast Park Hill resident shared their ideas about well-being, health, education, food access, as well as access to dental care and mental health. With the goal of seeing healthier children, families, neighbors, and a thriving community in Park Hill. The relationship between mental health and over- all wellness is the idea of treating the whole person rather than just handing out prescriptions. Overall wellness provides an opportunity for individuals to cope with the normal stresses of life such as work productivity and the ability to make positive contri- butions to their community. The Dahlia Campus is not a traditional mental health clinic, the campus offers a comprehensive array of free and low cost services. People come to the Dahlia Campus for many different reasons such as taking their kids to the dentist, enrolling a child in preschool, visiting the food pantry, attending fresh lettuce, mustard and collard greens sales, or to learn how to prepare healthy meals. Social activi- ties include Wellness Wednesday’s, women walk- ing groups, gardening classes, greenhouse tours, Zumba, Mental Health First Aid Training. The focus being on learning and trying something new, build- ing confidence, feeling better and getting connected with our neighbors. The campus features: ■ ■ A four-acre site at 35th and Dahlia in Northeast Park Hill. ■ ■ 46,000 square feet of indoor classroom, play, community and therapy space. ■ ■ Outdoor components include play areas, therapy gardens, an urban farm, as well as a greenhouse that is powered by fish tanks (Aquaponics). In 2016 nearly 5,000 Northeast Park Hill residents attended community programs and events at the Dahlia Campus such as: ■ ■ Neighborhood Open House ■ ■ Grand Opening Celebration ■ ■ Decoding Our Stories of Health: What we don’t know about our health histories can kill us. ■ ■ Writing Your Life Story: Ever wanted to write but were afraid to? ■ ■ Mental Wellness Conference offered by New Hope Baptist Church. ■ ■ Community Mural Project: Outdoor art program held at the campus. ■ ■ Voz y Corazon Benefit & Art Show: a program which works to prevent youth suicide. ■ ■ Dahlia Campus Farm Festival: the Grand Opening for all the green spaces at Dahlia ■ ■ Bethune Silver Tea: Celebration of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s, 141st birthday. ■ ■ Build Your Brand—Reaching Your Dreams: Getting what you want out of your life. ■ ■ Mo Betta Green Marketplace— A seasonal farm- ers market. ■ ■ Community Conversations— Racial Discrimination in Healthcare. ■ ■ Chicken/Caldo/Chili Cook-Off. ■ ■ Family Block Party ■ ■ Disaster Preparedness. ■ ■ Community Fish Fry attended by 600 people! ■ ■ Natural Hair Care Expo: Activities and resourc- es supporting the care of natural hair. ■ ■ Pop Up Shop: An evening of style and fashion from clothing, jewelry, shoes and home décor. ■ ■ A Day of Well-Being: Wellness stations ( boxing, cycling, art, music, and kitchen activities} ■ ■ Miracle on 34th Avenue – A fundraiser for Kids In Need of Dentistry (KIND). ■ ■ Ultimate Vision Board Party. Make a vision board. Change your thoughts. If you didn’t get an opportunity to participate in any of the services and activities hosted at the cam- pus in 2016. The staff and volunteers at the Dahlia campus would like to invite you to get involved in a “Welcoming Space for Health, Hope, and Well-Being”, where everyone is always welcome to participate in the many offerings available at the Dahlia Campus for Health & Well-Being regardless of your ability to pay. To learn more about the campus visit mhcd.org or schedule an individual or group tour with Taliah Abdullah, the facility site manager at 303-300-6140. Maya Wheeler is a community advocate dedicated to improving access to services and information to keep individuals, families and children safe. She provides outreach for the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being. COMMUNITY By Maya Wheeler, MHA