Hispanic health fair held by Catholic church

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stuart to conduct Hispanic Health Fair on Sunday
By Monique Mattiace, TC Palm.com, April 22, 2009

STUART — St. Joseph Catholic Church is conducting a Hispanic Health Fair on Sunday to raise health awareness and offer free health services to Hispanics who don’t have health care services.

The church has partnered with at least 50 volunteers and organizations within the community to bring free services and information to Hispanics at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

“The majority of the Hispanic community has a language barrier and don’t know what’s available to them,” said Mary Lou Durante, registered nurse and Health Outreach Ministry volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church. “They are largely uninsured and don’t have the resources to get medical care.”

The Rev. Noel McGrath of St. Joseph Catholic Church requested a Hispanic health fair on the churches premises after seeing a continuous need of healthcare services within the church.

About 300 Hispanic families are members of the church, said Durante.

Information from bicycle safety tips to dental and blood screening will be offered. Sick people and children with no health care also will be seen and treated on site by the Visiting Nurse Association.

“I’m very excited because I know there is a need for health services,” said Durante. “I know the economy is rocky right now. People that offer services in the community are stretched. When we all get together like this we can do more and reach the right people.”