As the new school year approached, the UH Health Family Care Center, partnering with
Boynton Chapel Methodist Church, opened its doors and heart to the community with
its Back-to-School Block Party. The event offered families more than just school supplies;
it provided a day of fun, connection, and vital health resources in one of Houston鈥檚
underserved neighborhoods.
Children left with backpacks full of supplies, but also with smiles from games and activities designed to make the day memorable. Parents had the opportunity to connect with trusted health care providers, and families received free medical screenings to help start the year with confidence and peace of mind.
For Neena Arora, M.H.A., M.B.A., assistant vice president and CEO of the UH Health FCC, the event was about meeting families where they are. 鈥淚t was important to host this back-to-school event because many families in our community face the challenge of affording all the supplies their children need to start the school year prepared,鈥� Arora said. 鈥淏y providing essentials, we help ease that financial burden and ensure students walk into the classroom ready to learn and succeed.鈥�
The clinic鈥檚 mission, she explained, extends beyond the exam room. 鈥淧roviding school
supplies and screenings goes hand-in-hand with our mission to care for the whole family,鈥�
Arora shared. 鈥淏y making sure children are equipped for school and offering preventive
health checks, we are addressing both educational readiness and long-term wellness.
These efforts reduce barriers that families in our community often face, showing that
our clinic is not only a place for medical care but also a trusted partner in supporting
healthy, thriving futures.鈥�
That sense of connection was also deeply felt by providers on site. Mohamed Zebda, D.O., M.P.H., clinical associate professor and pediatrician at the FCC, said events like this allow families to interact with their pediatricians in a more relaxed environment. 鈥淓vents like this help families and patients see their pediatrician in a less formal space, which helps foster trust between parent, child and provider,鈥� Zebda said. 鈥淚 really enjoy participating in events like our back-to-school event. It is a good way to give back to the community. It is also nice to see the kids in their natural state and when they are not nervous about coming to see their pediatrician.鈥�
Trust, access and resources all came together thanks to strong partnerships. Local and city-wide organizations joined the block party to connect families with information and services. For Rebecca Negri, manager of marketing and outreach at the clinic, these partnerships were key to ensuring the event met the community鈥檚 needs. 鈥淭he partnerships we have with local and city-wide organizations are invaluable,鈥� Negri said. 鈥淭hey provide resources and connections to our patients and the community, so having them at the Back to School Block Party was an easy decision. Attendees were able to speak with these organizations and learn more about what they offer and the help they can provide.鈥�
One example of partnership impact came from VOICES, a student organization at the Fertitta College of Medicine. After the block party, VOICES distributed remaining supplies to students at Cullen Middle School, expanding the reach of the event even further.
Negri emphasized the importance of creating a diverse offering for families. 鈥淲e made
sure to bring in a variety of organizations that offer a range of services so that
there was something there for everyone,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f there was anything we missed,
several of the organizations present, including Healthy Connections, were able to
further assist attendees with the resources they need.鈥�
For the UH Health Family Care Center, the event was more than a celebration of back-to-school season. It was a tangible demonstration of the clinic鈥檚 role as both a health care provider and a community partner. 鈥淭his event creates a space for families to feel supported, connected and valued by their local health center,鈥� Arora said. 鈥淚t reinforces that we are here not only for their health care needs but also for their overall well-being.鈥�
With backpacks on shoulders, families walked away with supplies, smiles and the reassurance that their health and success matter to the UH Health Family Care Center.
Thank you to our sponsors:
H-E-B
Community Health Choice
Lacey Newday Consulting
Boynton Chapel Methodist Church
Henry Schein
Books Between Kids
St. Joseph Medical Center
UH Office of Government and Community Relations
Members of UH Health Family Care Center Staff & Board of Directors