Event Presented by Westchester County and Greater Hudson Valley The Links, Inc.; Co-Sponsors Were Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures, Black K.A.R.E., Montefiore New Rochelle and Grow! Eat
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., April 1, 2026 – The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle hosted a Community Wellness Expo on Saturday, March 21 at the Remington Clubhouse, where 350 community members, healthcare providers and local organizations focused on improving health awareness and access to essential services. The event offered free admission to remove barriers to care and emphasize the importance of preventive health through direct access to vital screenings, education and resources.
“This dynamic Community Wellness Expo was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when organizations come together to support the health and well-being of our community, and it was incredible to see so many community members gain valuable information and take advantages of free services,” said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “We were thrilled to welcome families, seniors and residents of all ages and connect them with trusted health resources, screenings and information. Events like this ensure our community has the knowledge and support to live healthier lives.”
“Being here is exciting because it brings the community together and creates opportunities to connect with resources and organizations in one place,” said Arianna Gerald, a senior at New Rochelle High School. “Having an event like this at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle makes it even more accessible and beneficial for the community.”
“This is our third annual Community Wellness Expo, and each year it continues to grow in impact and reach,” said Laurie Collins-Thomas, President of The Greater Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Chapter of The Links, Inc. “We value our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and all our sponsors and community organizations. This event brings together resources for everyone, from young children to seniors, and reinforces the importance of screenings, education and community support.”
Attendees accessed wellness services including vision, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, mammograms, CPR demonstrations and health education workshops, provided by 17 organizations. Informational sessions also covered chronic kidney disease awareness, children’s oral health, eldercare and Medicare guidance, estate and financial planning and voter registration.
The Community Wellness Expo was part of a national initiative led by The Links, Inc., with more than 235 chapters hosting Wellness Expos throughout March across the United States and the Bahamas, including 160 events held on the organization’s National Day of Impact on March 21. The New Rochelle event was featured on the organization’s live online feed.
The Remington Clubhouse gymnasium was transformed into a vibrant community hub, with green and white banners lining the walls and attendees visiting booths staffed by health providers and organizations. A DJ played music from the stage, creating an upbeat atmosphere.
The Expo kicked off with a ribbon-cutting featuring elected officials, community leaders and partner organizations, symbolizing the collective commitment to advancing health equity and access to care. The gathering reflected the strength of community partnerships that made the event possible.
“We’re excited to see this partnership come together to create a family-focused Expo that helps people better understand their health and access important resources,” said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
“Aren’t we fortunate to live and work in a community that comes together to share this information?” said New York State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer.
“This is why the Boys & Girls Club is so important to our community. They have created a space where nonprofits from across Westchester come together to support families with resources,” said New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle for bringing everyone together!”
“This event demonstrates the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle as a true community hub, bringing together hospitals, nonprofits, civic groups and families of all ages to share important health information,” said Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Mayor of the City of New Rochelle. “It’s inspiring to see children, seniors and families all in one place, engaging with resources that support a healthier community.”
“The collaboration between The Links, Incorporated and the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle for this year’s Wellness Expo brought our community together,” said Terry Clements, Westchester County Legislator. “By offering free screenings and family-centered activities in an accessible setting, the event advances the County’s commitment to equity in health and quality of life for our residents. Thank you to all the participating partners for their hard work in helping build a stronger future for Westchester families.”
“Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital is deeply committed to serving the local community, and events like this provide a meaningful opportunity to connect with residents in a setting focused on health and wellness,” said Karen Gartelmann Merl, Senior Vice President for Organizational Performance at White Plains Hospital.
“What makes this event so extraordinary is the level of partnership on display, with organizations coming together to uplift our community,” said Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. “We are fortunate to have so many collaborators committed to keeping our communities healthy and strong.”
Among the participating vendors was the National Council of Negro Women-Hudson Valley Section, which shared health education and resources with attendees.
“We are proud to …promote our ‘Good Health Wins’ initiative,” said Effie Phillips, Vice President. “Events like this at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle provide a one-stop opportunity for the community to access important health information and resources.”
Outside the Clubhouse, the Lincoln Park Conservancy’s Grow! Eat program engaged attendees with a mobile produce truck, offering fresh fruits and vegetables while educating families on healthy eating and sustainable living.
“This Expo highlights the importance of connecting people directly with fresh, healthy food and nutrition resources right in their own community,” said Linda Tarrant-Reid, Executive Director. “Through Grow! Eat, we provide fresh produce at no cost and serve approximately 18 to 20 sites throughout New Rochelle, making it even more meaningful to be here at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle engaging families and expanding access to healthy options.”
The Expo also highlighted the impact of community partnerships, including support from United Way, which provided grant funding to both the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and the Lincoln Park Conservancy. Through this collaboration, the Lincoln Park Conservancy’s Grow! Eat program distributed fresh produce to approximately 100 families, and Chef George led a healthy cooking demonstration using ingredients selected by Grow! Eat, helping families learn how to prepare nutritious meals at home.
Presented by Westchester County and Greater Hudson Valley The Links, Inc., the Expo was co-sponsored by Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures, Black K.A.R.E., Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, Montefiore New Rochelle and Grow! Eat. The Expo also brought together a diverse group of community partners dedicated to supporting health, wellness and social services, including The Caregiver’s Coach, Alzheimer’s Association – Westchester, AARP, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Community Housing Innovations (CHI), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Sister to Sister International, Bilal Group LLC, Transportation Resources Access (TRA), 3D Care Solutions LLC, UBC Thrivers, Black K.A.R.E., Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC), The Links, Incorporated – Greater Hudson Valley Chapter, My Sister’s Place, HSBC, Mobile Crisis Unit, Westchester Health Care Center, Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) and Westchester Soccer Club.
In addition to Montefiore New Rochelle, Montefiore Medical Center provided health resources including yoga mats and colon health information, while Montefiore Mount Vernon highlighted services from its Family Health and Wellness Center.
The Community Wellness Expo reflects the continued collaboration between local organizations committed to improving community health outcomes and ensuring residents have access to trusted health resources.
A photo gallery from the Community Wellness Expo is available at: https://bit.ly/4bLKkM5
A recap reel highlighting the Community Wellness Expo is available on Instagram here: https://bit.ly/41H3yMM
For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 12,100 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.