From August 2021 through December 2022, SMART was a partner organization of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project (VEPE). Over the course of this project, SMART engaged with 63,466 community residents, providing up-to-date COVID information and distributing masks and other PPE. Below is our documentation of SMART’s participation in VEPE.

SMART is excited to be part of the
Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project (VEPE)!

This initiative, led by the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and the Fund for Public Health in New York City, is designed to increase vaccine equity in communities across NYC that are experiencing low vaccination rates. SMART is one of a diverse group of community and faith-based organizations selected to offer factual information and engage their communities in conversations about the COVID vaccine. Through January 2023, we will be mobilizing small teams of SMART women and youth to serve as outreach ambassadors/influencers. These teams will initiate discussions with community members and distribute targeted vaccine equity materials we will create. We are eager to apply our experience and compassion to the common goal of a safe and healthy future.

You can read more COVID Vaccine Stories here!

SMART’s Vaccine Equity Messaging Materials

SMART Messaging Videos!

SMART Invited to Meeting and Press Conference with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand!

We were honored to attend the Press Conference on the Public Health Workforce with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, held at Bellevue Hospital on January 27th. SMART was among the select community organizations invited to share highlights of our experience engaging with the Central Harlem community as part of the VEPE Project. Frances Wood, our SMART Technical Director and Youth Coordinator, represented us in the 1-1 meeting with Senator Gillibrand, giving a frontline account of our outreach work. We were able to present Senator Gillibrand with a swag bag of our VEPE messaging palm cards and branded t-shirt and hat, as well as other incentive items we distribute at our weekly outreach tabling event. Check out our photos with Senator Gillibrand, Dr. Chokshi, and Chief Medical Officer of the NYC Health Department, Dr. Michelle Morse!