Judy Hill knows that the people of her neighborhood need to be aware of the various wellness resources available to them — resources like the College of Health Sciences’ Meals that Heal and Families Moving Together, as well as community-based organizations like Glean Kentucky and FoodChain.

Thanks to the Lexington Housing Authority, along with CHS assistant professor Brandi White and her research team called Meals that Heal, Hill and the rest of the East End neighborhood are learning useful tips for healthy living and discovering local organizations that make healthy foods more accessible.

Meals that Heal (which includes White, PhD and MPH; Kendra OoNorasak, MS, RDN; graduate students Nadia Sesay, College of Communication and Information; and Mansura Shahad Bawa, College of Medicine; undergraduate student Deja Joseph, College of Social Work; and several undergraduate CHS students — Jayden Brewer, Martin Keltee, and Emma Smith; and recent CHS graduate Taylor Emerson) seeks to create a cookbook of low-cost and culturally tailored heart-healthy recipes geared towards African-American women. The recipes will align with guidelines set forth by the National Institutes of Health’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.

In the past several months, Meals that Heal has helped the Lexington Housing Authority host wellness fairs for community members on the East End.  And for those who live in the neighborhood, as well as those who volunteered, the events are a win-win.

In October 2024, White and her team, led by Joseph, helped the Lexington Housing Authority host their Fall Wellness Fair.

“It was a good turnout,” Judy Hill said. “We haven’t had one for a while, so to me it seemed like they are trying to get people, and the residents involved around in the community. I think it would be nice to have one again in the spring and maybe the fall. I just think it is good to bring this back into the community, so people can be aware of some of the outreach and resources for what they need. It brought out a lot of information on different organizations.”

“The Fall Wellness Fair was amazing,” Joseph said. “Being able to plan it and see it all come together so well was so fulfilling. I spoke with many community members that attended, and they told me how great it was to have something like this. Being a part of this is more than about me just helping, but about changing the living of the community members. I am excited to see what we do in the future.”

Malik McCalpine, a representative from Glean Kentucky, grew up in the East End.

“As a vendor who grew up in the East End, participating in the Wellness Fair was a truly gratifying experience,” McCalpine said. “It was incredible to return to my roots and contribute to such a meaningful event, where I had the chance to meet new people, create valuable networking opportunities, and share my knowledge. This event has already opened new doors for me to continue helping others, and I am excited for the possibilities ahead. The day was filled with laughter, smiles, and fantastic food, making it an unforgettable experience. I’m confident that the conversations and connections made there will lead to even greater things in the future.”

Dr. Amanda Fickey, Associate Director of Research, Development, and Partnerships at Kentucky State University’s Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, and Dr. Gary Stratton, Chair of the School of Business at Kentucky State University, were also invited to participate.

“Dr. Stratton and I are grateful that the University of Kentucky and the Lexington Housing Authority invited us to participate in the East End Wellness Fair,” Fickey said. “We spoke with over 40 community members about financial literacy. We also provided personal budgeting tools and resources from our event partner, Commonwealth Credit Union. Overall, this event was wonderful, and we look forward to participating next year.”

“I feel that it was a great event that had a positive effect on the community,” said Martin Keltee, a sophomore Human Health Sciences major on the pre-med track.

The Lexington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to low-income residents through the management of programs such as Low Rent Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program — Section 8. These programs are income based, and the eligibility guidelines are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. White and her team, including graduate student Alisia Sullivan, MSW, College of Social Work, first started working with the Lexington Housing Authority (Dana Mason, Tiffany Clark, Marlene Stevenson and LaVerne Laine) to host wellness fairs for the area in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted their ability to host community wellness fairs, limiting in-person engagement and access to health resources for residents.

“As a health equity and community-engaged researcher, I believe it is essential to bring health resources directly to residents where they live,” White said. “Access to preventive care, health education, and wellness support can make a real difference in improving health outcomes, especially in communities that face systemic barriers to optimal health.”

Recently, White and her research team hosted a Valentine’s Day Wellness Fair with the housing authority on the East End. Bawa, a graduate research assistant, assisted community members in making better food choices during the event.

“As a member of the Meals that Heal team, I had the chance to engage with attendees about healthier food selections and practical methods to add more nutritious options to their diets,” Bawa said. “Many individuals expressed interest in learning how to create heart-healthy meals. It was fulfilling to have those discussions and witness how much attendees valued the guidance.”

Sesay, another Meals that Heal graduate research assistant and doctoral student in health communication, has an interest in community-engaged research. She is currently conducting participant interviews for the Meals that Heal study.

“Working with residents in contexts like our wellness fairs adds a new dimension to the research study,” she said. “I look forward to opportunities like these for engagement and relationship building.”

Through their partnership with the Lexington Housing Authority, the Meals that Heal research team remains committed to bringing essential health resources directly to residents, fostering a culture of wellness and preventive care.

By continuing to host community wellness fairs, they aim to bridge gaps in health access and empower individuals with the tools they need to lead healthier lives. Looking ahead, they hope to expand their efforts and strengthen community connections to create lasting health equity.