On Saturday April 27, CPN hosted its second annual Family Fun Day at the Reunion Halls’ on the Festival Grounds.
Amanda B. Chapman, a Case Manager at CPN’s Indian Child Welfare Department, organized this year’s event in cooperation with FireLodge Children and Family Services and the Family Violence Department. The timing of Family Fun Day is meant to raise awareness of Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness month in April.
“We host these events during this time to educate the public about these issues and provide them with information or services if they or someone they know are suffering from them,” said Chapman.
Volunteers made up of CPN employees and tribal youth work the event, which is also attended by a number of tribal, private and governmental agencies like the Pottawatomie County Health Department, Infant Crisis, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Red Cross.
“It is truly amazing how Citizen Potawatomi Nation supports Family Fun Day,” added Chapman. “On behalf of all the organizers, I would like to thank everyone who had a part in making it a success.”
FireLodge Children and Family Services serves as a local resource to the surrounding community for confidential services serving youth and families. Given the demographics of the immediate communities, FireLodge Children and Family Services department places an emphasis on enhancing, enriching and developing cultural awareness for Native American children as well as promoting healthy living. If you would like to learn more about the department’s services, please visit www.cpnhouseofhope.org and call either 405-275-3176 or 405-878-4231.
On April 24, the Elder Support Network health fair took place at the CPN Reunion Hall North, with more than 80 elders attending. A number of services are available to participants, including health aids checking blood pressure and glucose levels and updating immunizations. More than 24 local and regional vendors from a number of different services, including representatives from the CPN Wellness Center, Health Clinic, legal aid and local chiropractors also participated in the event.
The CPN Elder Wellness Fair is sponsored by the Senior Support Network, which is funded by a federal grant aimed at improving the healthcare of Native Americans elders.
“It gives them a chance to socialize with each other, get wellness checks and get a lot of valuable information at the same time,” said Tami Fleeman, Nursing Coordinator at the CPN Clinic and Senior Support Network coordinator.
The health fair was open to Native American elders who are 55 or older as well as their spouses. In addition to providing a place where they can receive wellness checks, the gathering is intended to make tribal elders aware of all the services available to them as Native American seniors. Transportation to and from the event was provided by the network in hopes of getting as many participants out as possible.
“Socializing can be very limited for the elderly. Just getting a chance to visit with others and decrease the isolation so many elders feel is important,” pointed out Fleeman. “We enjoy hosting the event as much as they enjoy attending; doing whatever we can to enrich their lives and make sure they have what they need.”
If you would like to learn more about the Senior Support Network, please visit the CPN Elder’s page or contact Tami Fleeman (tfleeman@potawatomi.org).