Rural Oklahoma church mobilizes community for enhanced health care and school readiness initiatives
In the heart of Holdenville, Oklahoma, St. Paul's Episcopal Church demonstrated its strong community presence and collaboration by organising a Back-to-School and Multi-Generational Health Fair on July 31. This event, held at the Holdenville High School Cafeteria, aimed to provide much-needed healthcare and school-readiness services to the city's children.
Holdenville, a city where approximately 90% of the total enrolled students in grades 1 through 12 are considered economically disadvantaged, has a poverty rate that hovers between 20% and 26%, according to the US Census. This statistic underscores the importance of events like the Back-to-School Fair, which offered wellness check-ups, immunizations, vision screenings, free haircuts, backpacks filled with school supplies, gently loved back-to-school clothing, food trucks, and more.
The event saw 125 Holdenville students receive wellness exams and additional services. The goal was to reach 200 children, and while the final number fell short, the impact on the community was significant. The fair also highlighted the Church's continued vital role in rural America, as it serves beyond its walls, partners with others, and works for the common good.
The Rev. Cyntha Gilks-Ayres, Vicar of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, emphasised the importance of knowing the community and its needs for churches looking to partner with their community. Planning for the event began in May, with 18 providers participating, including local clinics, the Hughes County Health Department, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Medicaid providers, and more.
Susanna LeMasters, the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma's Director of Communications, can be reached at [email protected] or 405-226-7202 for media inquiries. The fair also highlighted the issue of homelessness in Holdenville, with 6.2% of students considered living in a "homeless" environment, either with friends or family temporarily. This statistic underscores the need for continued support and collaboration from the community and local organisations.
Despite the challenges faced by Holdenville students, only 49% of them begin the school year fully prepared, far below the state average. Events like the Back-to-School and Multi-Generational Health Fair aim to bridge this gap and ensure that every child in Holdenville starts the school year with the resources they need to succeed. The fair was a testament to the power of community collaboration and the Church's role in supporting and uplifting its community.
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