Welcome to PAL's "Healthy Summer" Newsletter brought to you by Fidelis Care! This month, we are sharing some advice from our friends at Fidelis Care. Read more below about PAL's relationship with Fidelis Care and their recent $10,000 grant to the Police Athletic League.
Have Fun, Play Smart This Summer
As the school year comes to a close, children and parents alike look forward to enjoying warm summer days outdoors. Summer weather is perfect for active quality time together, perhaps at the beach, at camp, or at a neighborhood barbecue.
But before you run out the door, make sure you and your family are prepared for whatever comes your way.
Before you leave…
Keep a first aid kit handy
It’s always good to have a fully stocked first aid kit on hand in your home or car in case of any accidental bumps or bruises. Smaller kits that fit in a purse help too. First aid kits can be purchased through the Red Cross and at most pharmacies and department stores.
Drink plenty of water
Summer heat means a higher risk of dehydration, especially in children and older adults. Keep ready-to-fill water bottles by the tap, and keep a cooler filled with water on hand - whatever will help you remember to sip water throughout the day. You don't need to wait until you're thirsty.
Apply sunscreen
If you’re going to be out in the sun between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm, sunscreen is a must to protect from sunburn, skin damage due to sun exposure, and skin cancer. It’s ideal to put on sunscreen at least a half hour before you go outdoors, then reapply every two hours.
When you’re outside...
Out for a bike ride?
Wear a helmet. Accidents happen, even when you’re being careful.
Walking around the neighborhood?
Cross the street safely. Always stop and look both ways, even if there’s a pedestrian traffic light, and make sure the little ones are walking with an adult or older, responsible child.
Swimming?
Eliminate distractions. Leave the smartphone in your bag. A responsible adult should always be on hand watching if the kids are swimming. Anything can happen in an instant—even for children and adults who know how to swim well or are using flotation devices.
Fidelis Care is Here to Help
With the arrival of summer, parents and children alike are equally excited about the fun activities it brings. This is a great time of year to make sure your child has a checkup and their required screenings and immunizations - particularly as they get ready to head back to school in the fall.
For information about quality, affordable health coverage for your child through Fidelis Care, call 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org. You can also visit one of their Community Offices.
Visit fideliscare.org/findanoffice to find the location closest to you and to see the latest hours of operation and safety protocol.
Fidelis Care Awards $10,000 Grant to PAL
Fidelis Care has awarded the Police Athletic League a $10,000 grant to help support recreational, educational, cultural and social activities throughout the year. The funds will help support approximately 20,000 kids across the five boroughs participating in programs such as PAL PLAYSTREETS, PAL Street Games, and PAL Early/Head Start Programs.
“Fidelis Care is proud to partner with PAL and work collaboratively toward supporting the health and wellness of local New York City families,” said Pam Hassen, Chief Member Engagement Officer. “Being part of PAL’s commitment in the community to nurture the strengths and capabilities of local children is a reflection of Fidelis Care’s mission.”
“The Police Athletic League is thrilled to receive this grant from Fidelis Care. PAL is proud to partner with Fidelis Care to share critical information regarding health and wellness with our parents, participants and stakeholders,” said Marcel Braithwaite, Director of Community Engagement, PAL. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration, as we at PAL work with the NYPD and the law enforcement community to support and inspire New York City youth.”
With the support of Fidelis Care, the following PAL programs will receive funding:
PAL Street Games began in 2020 when staff realized that there would be no team sports. Along with NYPD volunteers, staff took games such as dodgeball, basketball, and double-dutch to the streets of NYC. PAL Street Games allow kids to stay active and interact with police officers in a positive and fun environment.
PAL PLAYSTREETS have helped communities take back their streets by providing opportunities for children to engage in organized physical activities, to learn valuable lessons about positive life choices, and to access helpful resources. For seven weeks each summer, PAL closes public areas in New York City neighborhoods suffering from high rates of crime and poverty to create supervised and fun-filled places for children ages 6-16 to play in safety. Each PLAYSTREET has fun athletic and recreational equipment, as well as arts and crafts, to make a positive experience for the kids.
PAL Early /Head Start programs provide a safe, secure, developmentally appropriate environment and emphasize active family engagement and strong collaboration with the local community. PAL's learning environment for Early Head Start (EHS 2 year olds), and Head Start (HS 3-5 year olds) children enables PAL to address each child’s individual strengths and needs, giving them a strong social, emotional, physical, language, literacy and cognitive foundation prior to entering kindergarten. PAL has been providing vital early childhood education to New York City families for more than 50 years.
Fidelis Care will also participate in PAL events throughout the year to answer questions, share information, and make it as easy as possible for parents to learn about quality health insurance for their children.