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Health and wellness illuminated at the Bay Ridge Center, located in one of Brooklyn’s largest NORCs
BAY RIDGE — The first annual health fair hosted by the Bay Ridge Center (BRC), located at 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, took place at their headquarters the afternoon of Oct. 8, drawing hundreds of curious and eager older adults looking to enhance their quality of life.
The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in one of Brooklyn’s largest NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities), was a day dedicated to health and well-being with more than 20 vendors offering free health screenings, including cancer, dental, blood pressure checks, flu vaccinations, educational materials, mental health awareness and more.
Addressing the NORCs
The day was a smashing success, according to Todd W. Fliedner, BRC’s executive director.
“What’s exciting about this today is that it’s an opportunity to do so many health-related things all under one roof,” Fliedner said. “This health fair was created to get more people to be privy about their overall well-being. We really want to make life better for our older adults in southwest Brooklyn. We love our members and want to see them stay healthy.”
Fliedner pointed out that he is looking at doing a health fair at the center two times a year.
“There is a lot of excitement in the air here,” he said. “It means so much to the community.
Fliedner noted that there are a lot of NORCs in the city and in Brooklyn but in the area of southwest Brooklyn, the growth of older adults is projected to be much higher than in a lot of other areas of the city.
“That’s why our work here is so very important,” Fliedner said. “At this point in my life, if I’m able to help and do something that makes the neighborhood where I live better, then I’m a happy man.”
Amed Alfaraji, director of community outreach and strategic planning for the BRC, is responsible for spearheading the fair.
“This event has been in the planning stages for the past three months,” Alfaraji said, adding that over 200 people signed up before noon. “I anticipate many more when it’s all said and done. It’s really a wonderful thing to see people from all different backgrounds coming together, sitting together and interacting.”
The goal, according to Alfaraji, is to provide members with healthcare options that will benefit them, as well as to showcase the BRC.
Business is booming
The BRC, a 21,000-square-foot community center, offers a wide range of innovative free services that address older adults’ biological, psychological, social and cultural needs.
It features specially-designed activity rooms, including a strength training gym with equipment from Germany and software from Singapore; a technology learning lab, equipped with computers and tablets; an art room for classes and art therapy; a music appreciation studio; and a health and wellness room, which features members of Maimonides hospital coming and working with older adults on their specific needs.
“Business has been going very well,” Fliedner said, pointing out that in September, the BRC hit their highest ADP (Adult Daily Participation) number.
“We actually broke a record — 256 in one day. And between November 2023 and August 2024, the Center signed up 1,996 new members. Today we are hovering in on 3,000.”