SHAC Outreach

SHAC Outreach works with local groups in order to assess ways for community members to get involved in maintaining and improving their health. This effort includes identifying unmet needs, partnering with groups to create sustainable programs that can help to inform the community of these problems, and providing support through materials, expertise, and volunteers.

The Outreach program has enjoyed great success in its partnerships with the local community. Current programs include:

• Diabetes Clinics

Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church and New Red Mountain Baptist Church have collaborated with SHAC Outreach to provide diabetes clinics. These programs offer foot care, health education about the effects and possible complications of diabetes, pharmacy consultations and screenings for various health conditions that can lead to diabetes.

• Health Fairs

SHAC Outreach collaborates with community organizations by participating in local health fairs.  Volunteers conduct BMI, glucose, and blood pressure screenings, discuss health care concerns and provide health education.  SHAC Outreach is especially involved with health fairs aimed at the Latino Community, such as Fiesta del Pueblo in Raleigh, Fiesta de la Familia in Carrboro, and St. Thomas More Health Fair in Chapel Hill.

• Wellness Programs

Club Nova, a community center in Carrboro for adults with mental illness, has collaborated with SHAC Outreach to provide organized health improvement activities. Current programs include a walking club that keeps members motivated about exercise and a monthly cooking night that teaches members ways to eat healthy and have fun too.

In addition, SHAC Outreach is working to develop a health education curriculum for the residents of HomeStart, a local homeless shelter for women and children.  Volunteers will go to HomeStart once a month during the house meeting and conduct 15 minute lessons on important topics such as nutrition, exercise and emotional health.