PHS, ModifyHealth host Harlem back-to-school fair for more than 1,000

By Atlas Watchline Staff · News · September 3, 2026

Public Health Solutions and ModifyHealth held a back-to-school health and wellness fair in Harlem/Washington Heights on Aug. 29, offering free health and benefits help.

Public Health Solutions and ModifyHealth held a back-to-school health and wellness fair on Aug. 29 at Church of the Intercession in the Harlem/Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, drawing more than 1,000 attendees, according to a release from the organizations.

The event offered free health screenings, housing and nutrition assistance, cooking demonstrations, backpacks, school supplies, children’s activities, food, raffle prizes and on-site help applying for WIC, SNAP and Medicaid benefits. The groups said the fair was aimed at responding to rising food insecurity and higher living costs.

More than a dozen organizations took part, including Anthem, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelis, AIRnyc, Hunger Free America, Sentry, Sun River Health, Eve+Co and the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, according to the release. The organizations also said the event was intended to connect eligible Medicaid members to WholeYouNYC, PHS’s social care network serving Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.

The release described WholeYouNYC as a network that connects eligible Medicaid members to food assistance, rent and utility support, transportation and related resources. It also said Public Health Solutions is the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City and that ModifyHealth focuses on food-as-medicine and whole-person care.

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat and New York City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu attended the event, according to the release. Abreu said the fair helped West Harlem and Washington Heights families start the new school year ready and connected to resources. Zach Hennessey of WholeYouNYC said families received backpacks and school supplies, resource connections and a cooking demonstration. Jen Lane of ModifyHealth said the partnership combined health screenings and food resources with everyday essentials for families.

Sources

• PR Newswire release: “1,000 New Yorkers access food assistance, school supplies and health resources through Public Health Solutions and ModifyHealth partnership”

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.

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