Welcome to the October 2022 issue of The Wellness Corner - the e-newsletter for our community of advocates and enthusiasts - from Big Bend Cares and Care Point Health & Wellness Center.

This issue will introduce our Board of Directors for 2022-2023; recap the 32nd Annual Tallahassee AIDS Walk; give some important updates for Care Point; show a way to help those in need this holiday season; wrap up the Beer Fest; detail some upcoming partnered events; highlight an outstanding volunteer; and share some info on Gem Club and Care Point tours.

Every day, Big Bend Cares and Care Point continue to provide essential assistance and quality health care to those we serve in the Tallahassee and Big Bend area (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties). Our services include free HIV and STD testing, primary health care, dental care, lab work, sexual health education, courtesy transportation services, home-delivered meals, co-pay assistance for medications, and case management services.

These services wouldn't be possible without your generous donations, support, and contributions. To you reading this newsletter- thank you for helping us provide health care and much more to those in need - we appreciate you!

Thank you for reading!

2022-2023 Board of Directors

We are very happy to welcome our new officers and Board of Directors roster for the 2022-2023 year! Some are brand new, and some are still holding their positions, but these fantastic people make up the experience and leadership that informs the operations of Big Bend Cares/Care Point from a broad range of industries. We are so grateful they're with us!

Board of Directors Officers:

Board Members:

Thank You for Your Board Service

We would also like to send our well wishes from the community and staff to Stanley Kahn II and Carla Cummings-Morley, Board Members who have served the full term possible for any Board Member, 10 years. This decade of service is a remarkable commitment from even more outstanding individuals. Thank you for embodying our mission of community care through your service!

Tallahassee AIDS Walk

Thank you to all of our community members that came out to participate in the AIDS Walk this year! 

We are happy to report that we were able to successfully reach our fundraising goal of $10,000 each for BBC, Neighborhood Medical Center, and Bond Community Health Clinic. 

This partnered event was made possible by our community coming together through sponsoring, attending fundraisers, and walking. 

And we're very grateful to our staff who helped lead off the walk by carrying the AIDS Walk banner!

Care Point Health Update:

Monkeypox Vaccine is In!

Big Bend Cares and Care Point want to urge all to take advantage of the acquisition of doses of the monkeypox vaccine, and to please spread the word to your friends and family in the community.

If you would like to get vaccinated, click the button below to schedule your time to come by the clinic. We are currently setting appointments through October 7th.

If you think you were exposed to the monkeypox virus or are at risk, it's highly encouraged to get vaccinated. Those who get vaccinated after exposure typically see reduced symptoms.

Thanks for staying safe!

Holiday Angels

We Need Your Help to Create Happy Holiday Memories For Children!

Many of our clients struggle to afford necessities like nutritious food, keeping the utilities on, rent payments, reliable transportation, and medical care. Buying their children gifts for the holidays may be an impossible burden or result in extreme financial and emotional strain.

And you can make a difference this year!

Become a 2022 Holiday Angel and help Big Bend Cares create happy memories for these children, knowing that this program may be the only time that they receive new toys or new clothes that fit and are meant for them.

Share this flyer with friends or on social media to help spread the word!

Tallahassee Beer Festival

Congrats to UPHS on another amazing Tallahassee Beer Festival! Thanks to everyone who helped us by using our code, and we are happy to report the day's success, from the Beer Mile, to the voting for best beer, to the beneficial funds that will go on to support United Partners for Human Services agencies like us. We'll see you next year!

6^thAnnual Health Extravaganza

Our community knows how important it is to maintain an active role in our own health. Starting Friday October 7, 2022 through Sunday, October 9, 2022 Neighborhood Medical Center will be hosting the 6^thAnnual Health Extravaganza for National Gay Men’s HIV Testing Day. All events will take place at Florida A&M’s Grand Ballroom (1628 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32307) and this event will be free of charge to the general public. Please come out to support these events Neighborhood Medical Center has partnered with us on!

Friday, October 7, 2022 Lets Chat About HIV & Aging

Join us for an interactive conversation with health care professionals to learn about improvements in HIV treatment options and living long healthy lives. 

Saturday, October 8, 2022 PrEP First Drag Show

An informational health event about PrEP {Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis} with a Drag Exposé. This FREE event will provide educational components, speakers, drag shows and lots of fun with a twist.

Sunday, October 9, 2022 Gospel Drag Brunch

An event to close out the Health Extravaganza weekend. We will fellowship through food and song as we commemorate the precious lives lost in the LGBTQ community and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

The event is free, but you can register so we'll know you'll be there! You can also share the QR code.

Volunteer of the Month for August

Last year, over 3,730 no cost food bags were given to our clients in Tallahassee and the Big Bend facing food insecurity because of our GEM Club members.

And GEM Club members make it possible for us to provide FREE comprehensive health care to our uninsured patients, with no sliding fee scale.             

What is a GEM Club member?

It’s you and me - neighbors helping neighbors. GEM (Givers Every Month) Club members donate monthly and 100 % of their gifts go towards food and health care for our neighbors in need. Want to become a GEM Club member and help us serve others? Please click here.

Ever wonder what happens beyond the closed doors of Care Point?

Sign up for a guided tour today and witness a behind-the-scenes view of “the 27,000 square feet of awesomeness!” including the 10 patient exam rooms, lab, x-ray facility, and dental wing.

For details and to reserve a space on the next tour, please email Takila Brooks here.

We hope you enjoyed the October 2022 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email Serene Smallwood here or call (850) 656-2437 extension 224. Thank you.

Big Bend Cares | (850) 656-2437 | www.bigbendcares.org

Care Point Health & Wellness Center | (850) 354-8765 | www.carepointwellness.com

Big Bend Cares, Inc. / Care Point Health & Wellness Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), federal tax-exempt organization. All donations are deemed tax-deductible.

FEIN: 59-2816580