Campus of Hope at Marks Village designated an EnVision Center

The Campus of Hope at Marks Village, a hub of resources for Birmingham public housing residents and community members, has been designated an EnVision Center by Ben Carson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

EnVision Centers offer HUD-assisted families support services that aid self-sufficiency, providing initiatives and programs that support four pillars: health and wellness, character and leadership, economic empowerment, and educational advancement. They are built on the same motivation behind the Campus of Hope at Marks Village — to provide a central one-stop shop of information and opportunities for public housing residents and nearby community members.

As an EnVision Center, the Campus of Hope at Marks Village will be given additional funding by HUD, under the stipulation that more Campuses of Hope will be built in various Birmingham housing communities.

“With the EnVision Center designation and support from HUD, the Campus of Hope will have increased capacity to touch residents’ lives and facilitate their journeys toward self-sufficiency,” said Michael Lundy, president of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District. “We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to cultivating an even greater hub of resources for public housing community members and residents.”

The Campus of Hope, which first opened in May 2018, is a collaboration between local institutions, organizations and the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center is a key partner in providing free weekly health screenings and other wellness education programs, as well as evaluating the success of this Campus of Hope.

Every week, individuals and families can receive basic health screenings free of charge at Wellness Wednesdays. These screenings look at important health indicators, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, BMI and blood glucose levels. After screenings are conducted, residents are given a copy of their results. A registered nurse also reviews the results with the participant and offers tips to improve health outcomes if necessary.

More than 600 Birmingham public housing residents and community members have participated in the Wellness Wednesdays and monthly Lunch and Learns. The events, sponsored by Synovus Mortgage Corporation, are another MHRC opportunity for individuals to embrace health and wellness. A guest speaker is brought in to discuss the day’s topic, and a free lunch is available for the audience. Past Lunch and Learn themes have included understanding personal health numbers, mental health, sexually transmitted diseases, financial literacy and the path to home ownership, dressing for success, and even bike safety. UAB students and faculty interested in volunteering at these two events can find opportunities on BlazerPulse, the university’s community engagement platform.

“We are thrilled to receive HUD’s EnVision Center designation and support, which will aid our work to defeat social and emotional determinants of health that lead to disparity,” said Mona Fouad, M.D., director of the MHRC. “The Campus of Hope at Marks Village is a great asset for all local community members, and I hope that, going forward, residents will proactively take advantage of the resources being offered and feel empowered to take ownership of their health.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration was held Wednesday, Nov. 6.