TAMPA, Fla. — At a local park in the University area of Tampa, we found wellness and health screening messages in the middle of the music and Haitian culture.
It was all part of a Haitian Flag health day—put on by the Haitian American Nurses Association of Tampa or H.A.N.A.
"You have to go where they're at and spread the word," said H.A.N.A. of Tampa member Arnell Filsaime-Johnson.
The group told ABC Action News that language barriers, transportation issues, and cultural differences often prevent certain communities from accessing health care.
"I realized the under-served communities, the minority communities specifically, they need us, they need extra help that education," said H.A.N.A. of Tampa president Edline Pierre, "They need someone who's going to take the time out to really give them that opportunity to really understand what their health is and why it's important that they take their health by the horns."
H.A.N.A. of Tampa has worked to close those gaps for the last ten years.
To help expand that work, the group is raising money and looking for sponsors for its upcoming annual gala on July 20.
According to Pierre, the goal is to offer nursing scholarships to local students.
"We do focus on trying to give at least two to three scholarships, but with community support, we'll be able to do more," she said.
But even if you can't give money, Filsaime-Johnson said any support will help.
"Even getting involved and when we're putting on events, you know it takes a village. So every hand helps," she said.
Brides, families fighting for refunds after event venue closes suddenly
“We’ve struggled so hard to scrape the money to be able to do this for her,” Irizarry said. “She’s my only girl and I wanted this so much for her.”
Couples and families who had weddings and events planned at a well-known venue that abruptly closed claim they’re out thousands of dollars and aren’t being given refunds. Annette Irizarry was supposed to hold her 15-year-old daughter’s quinceañera in August at the Clearwater location and said she’s now out the $6,160 she paid. Without that money, Irizarry said she can’t afford to have her daughter’s celebration somewhere else.
