Page 18 - CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA JUNE 2022

HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FACILITY PLANNING

Health and Wellness Programs Just as Important

in Underserved Communities

The newest YMCA of South Florida can also shine a light on how we can Community Center. Prior to
location now open in the historic Sistrunk work together to reduce health dispari- that, from 1938 to 1964, the
community of Fort Lauderdale offers facil- ties, which according to the Centers for site was where Provident
ities, programs and services the communi- Disease Control Prevention, are prevent- Hospital stood. At the time it
ty said they wanted there. More important- able differences in opportunities to was the only hospital in
ly, it will become a community gathering achieve optimal health for people who Broward County that provided
place that will nurture the potential of our are disadvantaged by their social or eco- medical care to Black patients.
youth by providing positive environment nomic status, geographic location or The YMCA has named this
and opportunities and create a place that environment. new center the L.A. Lee YMCA
provides complete health and wellness The importance of encouraging healthy Mizell Center in order to pre-
programs for kids, families, adults and living cannot be understated. The new serve the community and cen-
seniors; afterschool programs, communi- L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center ter’s rich history. Here we will
ty events and meeting space; preschool; at Sistrunk will host more than 55,000 BY SHERYL WOODS AND MARK DOYLE meet the needs of the local
workforce education through Broward people annually, with the goal of providing community and strengthen the
College; as well as making retail space social, education and health services to foundations of the community.
available to encourage economic growth low-income families. developing skills or emotional well-being Strengthening communities is the
and create jobs. In our community, the Y is a leading through education and training, welcom- YMCA cause. That’s why, every day, we
One of those retail spaces will be a voice on health and well-being. With a ing and connecting diverse demographic work side-by-side with our neighbors to
home to Holy Cross Health which will mission centered on balance, the Y populations through community service, make sure everyone, regardless of age,
have a community health center to serve brings families closer together, encour- or preventing chronic disease and build- income or background, has the opportu-
the surrounding community. This is all ages good health and fosters connections ing healthier communities through col- nity to learn, grow and thrive.
about creating an environment where the through fitness, sports, fun and shared laborations with policymakers, the Y fos-
entire community can gather, get healthy interests. As a result, more youth, adults ters the care and respect all people need
and connect with one another. The and families are receiving the support, and deserve. Sheryl Woods is CEO of the YMCA of
impact will be transformational. guidance and resources needed to The L.A. Lee YMCA is the oldest South Florida in Fort Lauderdale. She can be
We also are bringing awareness to the achieve greater health and well-being for YMCA in Broward County, serving Fort reached at (954) 334-9622.
importance of improving health out- their spirit, mind and body. Lauderdale and the Sistrunk corridor for
comes for racial and ethnic communities. The local Y here has been listening and more than 70 years. The beautiful new Mark Doyle is President and CEO of Holy
Through programs and services at the responding to our community’s most criti- YMCA is on the property that for decades Cross Health. He can be reached at
new YMCA and at Holy Cross Health, we cal social needs for 100 years. Whether was home to the Von D. Mizell mark.doyle@holy-cross.com.
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South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com June 2022 15