Bristol Community College (BCC) held its annual Wellness Fair on October 30, 2008, in the Commonwealth Center lobby to introduce students and faculty to the large variety of health and wellness resources in the Greater Fall River Area. Over thirty providers, some of whom have been at the Fair every year for the past twenty years that the fair has been held, displayed their services and gave participants a chance to meet and speak with representatives. "We find it a pleasure to gather this great group of people representing their agencies," commented Patricia Demeo, RN, BSN,  BCC health services staff nurse. "Our students tell us they do learn new things about themselves and their community," she added. Each vendor was very pleased with the turnout and the interest shown by the students, staff and faculty. Groups such as The Samaritans and Big Friends/ Little Friends found people interested in volunteering for them. For further information about health services at BCC, contact Health Services Coordinator Carol Constantine at 508-678-2811, Ext. 2232.

(Top row, left) Winnie Dimock of the American Red Cross office in New Bedford chats with Jessica Martins as she displays information about the Youth Trauma and DRIVE programs at St. Anne's Hospital. (Top row, right) Students look over material at the WIC table which offers resources for mothers of young children. (Middle row, left)  (Middle row, right) Suheil Lozada gets a free health analysis by chiropractor Dr. Laura Tavares Bombach. (Bottom row, left) Pat Stinson gives Samaritans volunteer Jim Gorman of Westport a free trial of Reiki. (Bottom row, center) HealthFirst Family Care Center dental outreach staff member Betty Nunes talks with Ana Santiago who works in the enrollment center at BCC. (Bottom row, right) Jocelyn Andrade from BMC HealthNet Plan looks over the display for SSTAR Family HealthCare Center.