The Center for Literacy & Learning at Grace College hosted an engaging health fair for students in its tutoring program and their families on Thursday, November 20, at Mount Memorial, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake. The event celebrated students’ reading progress and equipped families with practical tools for chronic disease prevention and overall wellness. Each family received a “health passport” to complete by visiting various booths, earning the opportunity to win prizes that promote physical activity and healthy living.
“We are immensely grateful for the funding provided by Health First Kosciusko. This health fair was an engaging and enjoyable occasion for families to come together and learn about the health resources available in our community,” stated Dr. Rachael Hoffert, Director of the Center for Literacy & Learning. “We appreciate our many health partners and their intentional efforts to offer meaningful activities for both parents and children.”
The event drew more than 125 students and family members and brought together 13 community partners and vendors, each providing an array of services, resources, and engaging hands-on activities. United Way provided turkey slider dinners and brought a therapy dog for children to enjoy. Nursing students conducted blood pressure screenings, while the Kosciusko County YMCA shared information about its programs for children, adults, and seniors, including financial assistance and survivorship support for individuals affected by cancer. The Center for Movement & Wellbeing engaged students with demonstrations of functional movements, such as box jumps and pistol squats.
Additional support was provided by Bright Point Assistance and The Pavilion Help Center, which offered medical navigation services. Lutheran Kosciusko provided information on local providers and cancer screenings. Boomerang Backpacks and other food service partners provided nutrition resources to families. Orthodontic Specialty Services delivered practical education on oral hygiene, and the Bowen Center supplied information on mental health and basic healthcare services. Live Well Kosciusko hosted a booth centered on tobacco and obesity prevention, and Dr. Rachel Johnson provided vision screenings for children. Grace College’s Sir Red attended and took pictures with families throughout the event.
The Center for Literacy & Learning remains committed to supporting students’ holistic well-being by promoting physical activity, preventing chronic diseases, and strengthening literacy skills. The tutoring program provides essential literacy support and continues to expand its partnerships to help students build lifelong habits that support strong physical and academic health.
Health First Indiana is an initiative established by Senate Enrolled Act 4, legislation enacted by the Indiana General Assembly in 2023. This legislation seeks to reform public health by providing funding to enable counties to assess their community health needs and to implement evidence-based prevention programs. Health First Indiana allocates funds to support various public health services, including injury and trauma prevention, chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, student health, lead management and surveillance, and infectious disease control. The funds allocated to the Center for Literacy & Learning through Health First Kosciusko support initiatives in chronic disease prevention and student health, ultimately enhancing cognitive function and overall well-being.
To learn more about the Center for Literacy & Learning, or for students in need of tutoring services, visit www.grace.edu/about/the-center-for-literacy-learning/.
