MISN Hosts First Annual Community Block Party

NEWBURGH – Maternal Infant Services Network (MISN) hosted a free Community Block Party on Saturday, July 22 at their Newburgh location on Broadway. The four-hour event featured more than a dozen community-based organizations, who provided valuable information to those attending.

The afternoon also featured plenty of local, authentic food, music and giveaways. Some providers offered face painting for the little ones, and two bouncy houses were set up for them to enjoy as well.

MISN had several tables that highlighted their many programs, including: health insurance navigation, community health advocate services, CAPP Youth Services, and women’s wellness services, just to name a few.

Jennifer Lansiquot, Executive Director of MISN welcomed everyone to the organizations first Community Block Party. “We are beyond excited to welcome the communities and the partners that are here with us.”

Lansiquot acknowledged in her remarks that her staff is committed to serving the community with information, education, support and referrals that they need to become healthy and achieve better health at every single stage of their life.

City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey attended the event and said, “health and wellness is a human right and we need to be aware of that… throughout all stages in life, health and wellness is important.” He continued, “Partnerships are important. This organization being in the city of Newburgh is very significant to me, but more importantly, to my family, and to all the families that live and reside in the city of Newburgh.”

Harvey pointed out that those collaborating partnerships with organizations like MISN and the city government, help elected officials like him understand the needs of the people, in terms of health and wellness, so they know what they can do as government to assist.

New York State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson also attended and remarked, “One thing is clear as we look at the battles going on nationwide, reproductive health, reproductive rights are health rights, and it’s not enough just to say we want reproductive health, but we have to follow thru and deliver it to the people who need it.”

Jacobson recounted the past session in Albany. “We passed some significant legislation, [for example] if people come from another state to exercise reproductive health rights we have in New York State, we will protect providers here and the people who come here.” Jacobson concluded, “We codified Roe v. Wade, so while other states are limiting choices, we’re expanding choices and options in New York State.”

While this was the first community block party in the history of MISN, it won’t be the last.
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