DC WARD 8 WELLNESS INITIATIVE
The DC Ward 8 Wellness Initiative is driven to increase awareness of and access to community wellness events for all people who reside or work in Ward 8. Our ultimate goal is to reduce disparities in diet and lifestyle related diseases by providing a one-stop-shop to view events and opportunities offered by Ward 8 focused community organizations and leaders. We are an Unincorporated Nonprofit Organization.
Follow us on social media for more updates
EVENT CALENDAR
Upcoming This Month:
Physical Health
Food & Nutrition
Mental Health
Maternal/ Child Health
Clinical Services
Community
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
Mission statement: The DC Ward 8 Wellness Initiative is driven to increase awareness of and access to community wellness events for all people who reside or work in Ward 8. Our ultimate goal is to reduce disparities in diet and lifestyle related diseases.
This initiative will be operated by a third party group to ensure inclusivity, however we will partner closely with community organizations.
Founders’ Statement: The DC Ward 8 Wellness Initiative was founded by a group of individuals who want to increase accessibility to health and wellness related resources in the Ward 8 community by partnering with local organizations. In the future we hope this initiative can be housed and run by the community in order to ensure community interests are represented and needs are being met.
Our Approach: To use multiple integrated platforms to encompass a central hub and expand access to wellness events to Ward 8 residents and community members. All events shared will address an aspect of wellness, as defined as “the state of being in good health”.
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Community Goals
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Prevent and mitigate diet and lifestyle related diseases
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Increase accessibility to health and wellness resources
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Streamline communication through integrated platforms
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Promote nutrition, exercise, mental health, and advocacy
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Connect residents/community members to local organizations
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Event Guidelines
I. Third party and community partnered review of events to be published
II. Events must be open to the public
III. Events must be geographically, financially, physically, and otherwise accessible to Ward 8 community members
IV. Events must promote physical, mental, and/or social wellness
V. Opportunities for community resources related to health/wellness can be included
VI. Events should not have solicitation
VII. All events/resources/material published must be legal
VIII. Events/material presented must be shown not to inflict harm
IX. Events must be inclusive of all populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexuality, socioeconomic status, ability, ____immigration status, gender, political affiliation, religion, etc.
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Any posted event is not an endorsement of the host organization’s views.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
& MORE
WHO WE ARE
ZOYA KHAN
Co-founder
Social media lead
Zoya Khan is originally from Missouri but received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University. As co-founder of the DC Ward 8 Wellness Initiative, Zoya is passionate about bridging the gap between science and the community by connecting communities with healthcare resources.
MADIE ALEXANDER
Co-founder
Community engagement lead
Madie Alexander is from rural Colorado and graduated with a B.A. in Molecular Biology from Colorado College in 2020. Growing up over 60 miles from the nearest hospital, Madie has long been interested in increasing access to healthcare. As co-founder of the DC Ward 8 Health Initiative, Madie is grateful for the opportunity to support and learn from the exceptional community organizers in DC to narrow existing health and wellness gaps.
ELENA WILSON
Social media
Elena Wilson is from Rockford, Illinois and graduated in 2020 from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. Elena received her Bachelor's of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a Bachelor's of Arts in Germanic Studies. She is drawn to community health because she believes that there is immense potential for impact through advocacy, educational outreach, and the building of relationships with community members.
MOLLY BEHAN
Social Media
Molly Behan recently graduated from the University of Rochester in upstate New York with her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry. Upon moving to the DC area this past June, Molly began looking for ways to meet others while also having a positive impact on her community. Having a strong interest in community healthcare, Molly was excited to join the DC Ward 8 Wellness initiative and to focus on promoting events surrounding fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness.
CAMRYN EDWARDS
Community Engagement
Camryn Edwards is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park where she obtained a B.S. in Public Health Science and a minor certificate in Black Women’s Studies. She aspires to become a physician and is passionate about using her talents to directly impact the community she lives in while also working tirelessly to mitigate health disparities. She plans to continue to live out this passion in her professional career and personal life.
ZARA WERMERS
Community Engagement
Zara Wermers received her Bachelors of Science in Biology and Psychology from Tufts University in 2021, and was inducted into the honor civics society for recognition of service and leadership. Zara is a passionate researcher who is deeply committed to biomedical research and the improvement of human health. Her goal as a future physician-researcher is to advocate for underserved communities through scientific advancement, clinical care, and civic engagement.
JILLIAN GRIFFITH
community advisor
Jillian Griffith is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Nutritionist (MSPH, RDN, LDN) who received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health – Nutrition from UNC-Chapel Hill and her Master of Science in Public Health – Nutrition Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Jillian is a member of Giant Food’s Healthy Living team through which she serves the Ward 8 community and broader Washington, DC area.
As the dedicated Nutritionist to the only full-service grocery store in the Ward, Jillian is driven by the ample opportunity to improve the culture of health. Although she is a retail dietitian, she is a public health professional at heart and has enjoyed building strategic partnerships with other stakeholders hoping to have a positive impact on the health outcomes of the communities they serve.
