It is important for the city’s children to be prepared when an emergency strikes – from knowing how to reach family members to finding the safest place during a severe storm. Students from the Drexel University School of Public Health helped inspire Philadelphia’s children to plan for emergencies by by honoring nine children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia for their winning posters on emergency preparedness.
The poster contest was sponsored by the students from the Drexel School of Public Health as part of their activities to celebrate National Public Health Week, April 2 – 8, 2007. This year’s national theme is "Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation’s Vulnerable Populations." The poster contest has students teaching students in the Boys & Girls Clubs to take their first steps toward preparing effectively for public health emergencies.
(l-r: Lillian Ambroggio '08, Kosal Nguon '08, Neha Nariya '08, Tita Atte '08,
Linda Kwon '07, Jamilia Sherls '07, Matthew Groesbeck Exec '07)
"Giving the children of Philadelphia an opportunity to ask questions as well as voice their concerns and ideas about emergency preparedness is a creative and informative way to engage youth, and offers an important opportunity to stress the importance of planning for these events," says Dr. Dennis P. Andrulis, the Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Center for Health Equality at the Drexel School of Public Health. "We must continue to enhance and improve the readiness of all residents for public health emergencies – especially the most vulnerable of our society, including children and families in minority and immigrant communities."
The art contest was open to children in 1st through 8th grades. A total of about three dozen posters were submitted from children at the Bridesburg and Germantown Clubs, and all of the submissions will be showcased in the lobby of Drexel University’s New College Building (245 N. 15th St.) and posted on the School of Public Health’s Web site. All children who submitted a poster received a certificate of merit from the Drexel students.
The artists of the nine selected posters also received a Drexel t-shirt and an emergency preparedness "Go Bag" from the city's health department. The first place winners also received a $30 gift certificate to Staples for new school supplies.
Jamilia Sherls '07 presents Certificate of Merit to attending student
The Center for Health Equality (CHE) at the Drexel School of Public Health was established to serve as major resource for addressing inequities in health and health care. By developing new information and strategies, and creating constructive partnerships with communities, government, health care providers and other academic centers, CHE will work to improve the health and well-being of the city, the state, and the nation. Its related activities will focus on three major areas: health disparities, cultural competence and health literacy.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia continues to grow, serving over 13,800 youth annually. Their mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need help most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Visit www.bgcphila.org for more information.
The students from Drexel also celebrated National Public Health Week by handing out emergency preparedness literature from the Philadelphia Health Department, and examples of emergency preparedness kits, in the lobby of the New College Building on April 5. The students used the information to educate others on what supplies are needed to be prepared for an emergency situation.