Health and Human Services

The Health and Human Services facet was established in response to the chronic health disparities that persists in African-American communities and other communities of African ancestry. Through this facet we promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health.

Highlights

The Harlem Mindfulness Movement

For more than 20 years the Metro-Manhattan (NY) Links have mindfully engaged in programming in Harlem. Within the last 10 years, and since the inception of the Health and Human Services facet, our programs have emphasized mindfulness activities such as yoga and meditation.

Program Highlights:

Yoga at Thurgood Marshall Academy: 

Through a partnership with NYC Thrive, a NYC Mayor’s Office initiative, and Thurgood Marshall Academy, Metro-Manhattan (NY) Links launched a series of yoga classes and mental health workshops designed for high school students. The impetus for the series – Take Up Your Mat - was informed by in-depth research whose findings revealed that yoga is a powerful and actional antidote to mental stress and depression in teens. The program was supported by donated yoga mats from Lululemon.

Yoga at St. Mary’s Center:

Through partnership with St. Mary’s Center and their Adult Day Health Care Program, which has a women’s support group, Metro-Manhattan (NY) Links has offered health-based programming to women in Harlem who are living with HIV and AIDS. Metro-Manhattan (NY) members often join support group meetings and have offered chair yoga and meditation classes annually for the last seven years. The intent of the St. Mary’s Adult Day Health Care Program model is to assist individuals with AIDS and HIV live more independently in the community and prolong or eliminate the need for residential health care services.