Karenni Community Health Fair
The Community Health Fair is a culturally responsive event designed to connect Karenni community members with local health and social service resources in an accessible and welcoming environment.
The event brings together healthcare providers, community organizations, volunteers, and community members to increase awareness of available resources and improve access to health information and services for Karenni families in Winston-Salem.
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The Karenni community, an ethnic minority group from Myanmar, resettled in Forsyth County, North Carolina, as refugees due to civil war, with many families arriving around 2009.
Despite progress over the years, many Karenni families continue to face barriers including:
Language differences
Cultural barriers
Limited awareness of available services
Difficulty accessing healthcare and community resources
In April 2023, the first Karenni Community Health Fair was held in Winston-Salem. The event received positive feedback from the community, and many community members requested that the health fair continue in future years.
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The Community Health Fair may include:
Health screenings and wellness information
Resource and service provider booths
Mental health and wellness education
Family and youth activities
Community outreach and education
Interpretation and language support
Giveaways and community engagement activities
To encourage participation, attendees can participate in a Health Fair Passport activity where they collect booth stamps from participating organizations to become eligible for prizes.
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Young adult volunteers who speak both English and Karenni are recruited to support providers and attendees during the event. Volunteers help community members:
Understand information and services
Ask questions comfortably
Navigate booths and resources
Participate more actively despite language barriers
This approach helps create a more culturally responsive and community-centered environment for all participants.
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The Community Health Fair helps strengthen trust, improve access to resources, and create meaningful connections between Karenni families and local organizations.
More importantly, the event creates a welcoming space where community members feel seen, supported, informed, and empowered to take care of their health and wellbeing.
