Autumn, it’s a season of traditions centered around connecting and gathering, from football games to harvest festivals, I’m reminded autumn is a time for togetherness. The sense of connection I feel during this time of year is a nice reminder of the power of community and supporting one another.
I’m lucky to work with folks who are committed to our community and support one another through community outreach. Our Health Education Promotion (HEP) Team draws from a variety of service lines across Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and Swedish Edmonds, each with their specific focus and area of interest. Collectively, we promote awareness of key priority public health, health education, and prevention messages for our diverse communities.
Our outreach efforts allow us to come together, and in the spirit of togetherness, we collaborate on a wide variety of events and health topics, whether it’s attending local celebrations or Community-Based activities promoting awareness and prevention efforts, we link and align to support one another.
Some memorable moments from this year include our annual Healthier Communities Day with the Everett Aquasox at Funko Field. This year’s event happened to land on Everett Aquasox mascot Webbly’s birthday! This annual event brings together several of our Providence Swedish service lines to share preventative health education information, along with bringing awareness to our community with what services and resources are available here in Snohomish County.
Another bright moment for the HEP team was coming together and attending National Night Out, always a summertime favorite. National Night Out is a nationwide, youth-centered event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out is always held on the first Tuesday of August and gives neighbors and public safety providers a chance to get to know one another in a positive environment.
A first for the HEP team was the Evergreen State Fair! We were invited by Snohomish County Health Department for their Healthy Communities Day. Fairgoers were invited to pick up a Healthy Communities Day passport and visit a variety of booths around the Fair that are focused on health and wellness. Prizes were awarded to those who visited all the booths.
Another first for the HEP team was the Inclusion Infusion event hosted by Everett Recovery Café. During the month of September, National Recovery Month is recognized and promoted as an observance for recovery from substance use disorders and prioritizing mental health.
Our most recently attended event included Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead. An event filled with beautiful celebrations and traditions, honoring those who have passed, and celebrating the reuniting of the living and the departed. We have been fortunate to attend this event year after year and are always impressed with the strengths of family and friends creating space and fostering unity and remembrance.
While I may not be able to capture all of our outreach activities, I encourage you to see where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing this past year, https://www.pihcsnohomish.org/latest_posts/. I hope you continue to savor the beauty of autumn and the sense of belonging through community.
Your friend,
Jessica S.
Jessica Stallings
Community Health Education
