Fourth Year of Bronx Can Will Help Prepare Thousands of Bronxites for the New School Year

State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Bronx CAN Partners to Distribute 2,000 Backpacks and Provide Health Screenings for Children and Parents

(Bronx, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Bronx CAN partners including, Kars for Kids (www.kars4kids.org), Union Community Health Center, Montefiore Medical Center and other community health partners, have joined together to host three events throughout the 33rd Senate Districts with free health screenings and over 2,000 free backpacks for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade.

This year, Bronx CAN, a health initiative that was launched by Senator Gustavo Rivera in 2011 in response to the Bronx being repeatedly designated the unhealthiest county in New York State, will bring together elected officials, community leaders and Bronxites for three events starting on Wednesday, August 20th to Friday, August 22nd to help prepare kids and their parents for the beginning of a new school year.

2014 Bronx CAN Back to School Events:

1. Bronx CAN at Slattery Park

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Location: Slattery Park (Valentine Ave. & E. 183rd Street)

Event Partners: Union Community Health Center and the Department of Education

Event Description: 500 backpacks will be available for distribution for children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Children and Parents will have access to medical and dental screenings, speech therapist, physical therapist, behavioral therapist and UPK enrollment information.

*Rain Date: August 27, 2014

2. Bronx CAN at St. James Park

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014

Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: St. James Park (Jerome Avenue & E. 192nd Street)

Event Partners: Montefiore, Morris Heights Health Center, RESPIRAR, Essen Medical Center and Department of Education

Event Description: 500 backpacks will be available for distribution for children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Children and parents will have access to blood pressure and glucose screenings, WIC representative, UPK enrollment information and much more.

*Rain Date: August 28, 2014

3. Bronx CAN at Crotona Park

 Date: Friday, August 22, 2014

Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Location: Crotona Park (E. 173 Street & Fulton Ave.)

Event Partners: Kars for Kids, Morris Heights Health Center, Essen Medical Center, Food Bank of New York, Bronx Economic Development Center, St. Barnabas, New York Public Library, Department of Education and Department of Sanitation

Event Description: 1000 backpacks will be available for distribution in children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Children and parents will have access to blood pressure and glucose screenings, WIC representative, healthy snacks, dental screenings, health information, UPK enrollment information and much more.

*Rain Date: August 29, 2014