Local Nonprofits and Community-Based Organizations Host Health Fair in Sunset Park with Free Health Screenings, Healthcare Access Assistance, Fresh Produce for Families and More
Amid Sky-High Cost of Living and Continuing Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, RTW Charitable Foundation, Academy of Medical & Public Health Services, Send Chinatown Love and Mixteca Help New Yorkers Access Health Care
New York, NY - RTW Charitable Foundation (RTW), Academy of Medical & Public Health Services (AMPHS), Send Chinatown Love and Mixteca today hosted a community health fair in Sunset Park, Brooklyn to improve health outcomes among local low-income residents.
RTW grant partners AMPHS and Mixteca connected community members to critical health resources and screenings, and Send Chinatown Love and Choy Commons provided fresh fruits and vegetables to 100 families, grown by young Asian farmers in upstate New York.
According to the United Way of New York City and the Fund for New York City’s “True Cost of Living Report,” 50% of working-age New Yorkers are struggling to cover their basic needs. That equals to nearly 1.3 million households or nearly three million people, an increase of 36% from their 2021 report, illustrating the devastating economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on millions of New Yorkers.
Additionally, many immigrants face challenges accessing healthcare due to language barriers, lack of familiarity with available resources and fears related to documentation status. Today’s event provided resources to all community members regardless of status and had staff speaking Chinese, Spanish and English.
Founded as the charitable foundation arm of RTW Investments, LP, a leading healthcare-focused entrepreneurial investment firm with deep scientific expertise and a strong track record of supporting companies developing life-changing therapies, RTW Charitable Foundation partners with organizations providing access to healthcare services. A significant portion of their work and funding has been focused on New York City and since 2020 they have awarded $2 million to organizations across the city combating the pandemic and its effects.
The health fair is a part of RTW’s grant partnership with AMPHS offering free health clinics, screenings and assistance accessing healthcare for low-income residents in Sunset Park. RTW’s grant partnership with Mixteca supports their work offering essential health services and screenings to newly-arrived asylum seekers across Brooklyn & New York City.
RTW partnered with Send Chinatown Love in 2021, when they worked together to support locally-owned small Chinatown businesses suffering extreme loss of business due to COVID-19 and anti-Asian racism.
“As a healthcare focused organization, RTW Charitable Foundation is keenly aware of the devastating effects of lack of access to healthcare services, which is especially borne by those experiencing poverty” said Marti Speranza Wong, board president of community engagement for RTW Charitable Foundation. “The pandemic has profoundly increased economic insecurity among New Yorkers, and the health of low-income residents is suffering. The Academy of Medical & Public Health Services, Send Chinatown Love and Mixteca are deeply dedicated to lifting up and improving the wellbeing of local communities, and we couldn't be more proud to partner with them.”
“Everyone needs healthcare, and yet countless marginalized New Yorkers go without it year after year. Overcoming this is a massive task, but by partnering with organizations like RTW Charitable Foundation, Send Chinatown Love and Mixteca, we can identify barriers to health and deliver care with compassion to underserved communities. We are extremely grateful to our partners for joining us in this effort, and to every Sunset Park community member who came out today to care for their health and the health of their families,” said Hewett Chiu, president and CEO of Academy of Medical & Public Health Services.
“Our immigrant communities cannot achieve sustainable livelihoods and thrive in New York City if they are not healthy. And yet, a lack of access to healthcare is one of the biggest challenges they face. None of us can fix this alone, and that’s why we’re grateful to partner with RTW Charitable Foundation, Academy of Medical & Public Health Services and Send Chinatown Love on today’s event. By coming together with our shared commitment, we’re able to have a significant positive impact on the wellbeing of immigrants and asylum seekers,” said Lorena Kourousias, executive director of Mixteca.
“This event shows what’s possible when collaboration happens across sectors and organizations to bring people together around positive health outcomes. We are thrilled to join RTW Charitable Foundation and Academy of Medical & Public Health Services to build deeper roots in New York City’s Asian American and immigrant communities, and excited to provide fresh produce via Choy Commons, showing how public health and food sovereignty go hand in hand. We’re thankful to be part of such an impactful and caring coalition,” said Jeff Eng, merchant experience lead of Send Chinatown Love.
About RTW Charitable Foundation
Founded in 2018 as the charitable foundation arm of RTW Investments, LP, RTW Charitable Foundation works to power rare disease research, medical innovation and humanitarian collaborations to improve the health of underserved communities. The Foundation is able to provide capital, manpower, and logistical support to help scientists push such projects forward. In addition, the Foundation aims to assist in advocacy, disease awareness and directly support organizations and communities in New York City. To learn more, visit www.rtwcf.org.
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