New Haven Independent

The site was adjacent to Monterey Homes. HANH Assistant Executive Director Sheila Allen Bell said the event was originally planned as a way to showcase the services the authority provides to residents, such as job training and help achieving home ownership. Then other groups joined the effort, so residents had a chance to visit almost two dozen tables, as well as enjoy free food and music.

Betty Godley (pictured with her grandson) said it was a worthwhile event, especially because she doesn’t have health insurance. Click here for her explanation.

Janet Brown, an outreach worker from St. Raphael’s, said lots of people had stopped by her table. “If they have no major medical coverage we’re offering them an annual mammogram, annual Pap smear, cardiovascular screening, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.”

Olivia Town (pictured) is a public housing resident who’s been doing women’s hair out of her home for years. She participated in a 13-week entrepreneurship program co-sponsored by HANH and Empower New Haven. She was at the fair braiding and beading hair. “They’re helping me open up a business and helping me buy my own home,” she said, “so, this is me giving back to them, if they need help, I’m always here to give it back to them.”

The New Haven Health Department was passing out children’s T-shirts with this message (pictured at the top of this story) about lead poisoning, modeled by Chaslynn Saucier.

The event included the requisite face-painting.

Bell estimated about 120 people attended the event and said she hopes to do it again next year.