Want to earn $100 cash just for looking out for your health? Jackson County residents can do just that at any one of the series of community events organized by Our Healthy Jackson County (OHJC).
The OHJC program partners with small businesses, faith organizations, neighborhood leaders, and youth centers to host pop-up health events throughout the community. These events—largely on Kansas City’s east side— offer free health screenings, vaccinations, and educational resources in settings where residents already gather.
The health screenings and connection to services are free and worth the trip alone, but if you participate in a few select activities, you can earn up to $100. Those who receive a COVID-19 vaccination (ages 5 and up) can earn $40. An STI screening is worth $20, and completing an OHJC survey (ages 13 and up) nets $40. If you do all three, you can walk out with $100, but the incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We are big fans and proponents of the project,” says Pastor Eric Williams of Calvary Temple Baptist Church, who leads the faith-based sector of OHJC. “The ability to have all these contacts and resources in places that really need it is so significant; on top of that, people are walking away with cash, so it’s a win-win-win for everybody.”
Services Offered at OHJC Events
- COVID vaccines
- Diabetes screenings
- Blood pressure checks
- Tobacco education and smoking cessation
- Blood glucose screening
- Dental assessments (potential referral to UMKC’s dental school for free services)
- Mental health screenings
- STI testing
- Cancer screenings
Pastor Williams described a recent OHJC event at his church as “stellar” with a “huge crowd.” The pop-up OHJC events are often held in festive atmospheres, which can make receiving health screenings more appealing. Depending on the venue and weather, some events include bounce houses, DJs, face painting, food trucks, and other entertainment.
Our Healthy Jackson County program is intended to reach people in underserved communities. It began as a way to get COVID-19 vaccinations to zip codes on KC’s east side that had poor health outcomes during the pandemic but has expanded it’s purpose and scope. Dr. Janette Berkley-Patton, who leads OHJC, emphasized the program’s expanded and preventative approach.
“We want to focus on prevention; we know that the health care system is set up to treat the sick, but we want to keep people out of the hospital,” said Dr. Berkley-Patton.
The program has helped thousands, and its success stems from its collaboration. Jackson County funds the program, which works with community partners like local businesses, churches, neighborhood associations, and youth groups to coordinate with health agencies to meet people where they are and provide these free clinics. Healthcare workers, researchers, and volunteers from UMKC, Children’s Mercy, Truman Medical Center, and University Health are on site to support healthy lifestyles through these community events.
Current schedule of upcoming Our Healthy Jackson County events:
- July 12 — 4 to 7 p.m.: Young Family Farm
- July 13 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Ivanhoe Center
- July 28 — Noon to 3 p.m.: EarlySTART Child & Family Development Center
- Aug. 2 — 4 to 7 p.m.: Eastwood Hills Neighborhood Center
- Aug. 3 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity
- Sept. 21 — 1 to 4 p.m.: Holmes Garden Neighborhood Association
- Sept. 22 — Noon to 3 p.m.: Rhema Church
- Oct. 5 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Blue Hills Park
- Oct. 19 — 1 to 4 p.m.: W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center
- Oct. 20 — Noon to 3 p.m.: Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church
- Nov. 1 — 4 to 7 p.m.: Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center
- Nov. 2 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose Center
Dates and locations are subject to change; for the most up-to-date calendar of OHJC events, visit bit.ly/OHJC2024.
