** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ** |
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IMPACT CHURCH NOW OFFERING FREE COVID-19 VACCINES, TESTING AND HEALTH EDUCATION |
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Atlanta-based ministry helping to ensure health equity, education and improved trust in the African American community. |
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(ATLANTA, GA) APRIL 15, 2021: Impact Church is Doing Church Differently™ and now offering COVID-19 vaccines (currently Pfizer), testing and health education at no charge. In partnership with Fulton County, Fulton County Board of Health and CORE, Impact will host a community clinic every Thursday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. located on their campus at 2323 Sylvan Rd, Atlanta, GA 30344. They will also provide transportation to local citizens; particularly the elderly, who may need a ride to get the vaccine.
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“It is not surprising that Impact is serving as a host for COVID-19 vaccinations,” shares Impact’s Lead Pastor, Olu Brown. “Churches have, historically, been a place that aligns with the community and provides a bridge for communication and engagement. We serve as a catalyst to meet their needs, and rightly so for such a time as this, where the much-needed vaccines are administered.”
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Impact’s Connections Pastor, Paul Thibodeaux, adds, “Our first effort in addressing the needs of the pandemic happened in 2020 when we became a COVID-19 testing site. Thanks to our partners, our desire to continue our presence in service as a vaccination site was made a reality and we began 2021 as a participant in the Choose Healthy Life initiative. The upgrade and affiliation was an easy choice, because of our large parking lot, multiple large indoor spaces, and easy entrance and exit access. In March 2021, we received access to the Pfizer vaccine, and since then, it has been a tremendous blessing, to our ministry and our community, to be a go-to of access, education and hope.”
More than 240 people were vaccinated on Impact’s opening day, including the Mayor of East Point, Deana Ingraham.
An anonymous member of Impact Church who recently received the vaccine had this to say, "I was anxious about receiving the vaccine, and when I arrived in the parking lot, I was still anxious. Once I went inside, the setting and the atmosphere made me feel comfortable and welcomed. My anxiety quickly left me and I was able to get in and out quickly to receive my vaccine.”
“Churches are trusted in the communities they serve,” confirms John Dannehl, COVID-19 site developer for CORE. “Congregations look to church leaders for guidance, and when CORE has the opportunity to partner with a church, it allows connections and relationship-building opportunities that we would otherwise lack.”
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As a member church of the national Choose Healthy Life initiative, Impact has committed to providing increased health resources and is working to rebuild trust and educate the community on the importance of testing, vaccination and other preventative measures. This is a direct response to the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black and Brown communities across the United States. Specifically, Black communities have been hit hard by the crisis and are 3.5 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than white people, and 7 times more likely to be hospitalized. Vaccination and regular testing are critical to addressing these disparities; thus, the goal of this partnership is to strengthen local networks, increase long-term community resilience and save lives. |
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Appointments are required and can be scheduled by visiting ImpactChurchVax.coreresponse.org. The registration link goes live every Tuesday at noon and remains open until the maximum number of 250 registrations is reached. All Georgia residents over the age of 16 are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
April 2021 clinic events include:
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*Thurs, April 15
Covid-19 Testing
11:00am - 4:00pm
Shallow Swab. Results in
24-48 hours.
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*Thurs, April 15
Covid-19 Vaccines
12:00pm - 6:00pm
Pfizer Vaccine
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Thurs, April 22
Covid-19 Vaccines
12:00pm - 6:00pm
Pfizer Vaccine
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Sun, April 25
Covid-19 Testing
9:00am - 1:00pm
Shallow Swab. Results in 24-48 hours.
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Thurs, April 29
Covid-19 Vaccines
12:00pm - 6:00pm
Pfizer Vaccine
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TIME TBD
Covid-19 Zoom Q&A
7:00pm
"Separate Fact from Fiction & Educate the Community"
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*Hybrid Event: Testing, Vaccinations and Food Drive (Food Box Distribution) |
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For more information on Impact Church and ongoing community clinic events, please visit online at www.impactdcd.org, and follow on social: @impactdcd.
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ABOUT IMPACT CHURCH
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Impact Church is an inclusive gathering of people who are committed to sharing the love of Christ with the world. The ministry is led by Olu Brown and is ranked the fifth fastest growing United Methodist congregation in the United States - an accomplishment achieved by their promise of “Doing Church Differently ™.” Impact operates as a 4D, 21st century ministry where they focus on a balanced mix of culture, hospitality, worship and technology. This mix positions Impact as a smart church that transforms lives and communities through holistic salvation principles (spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, financial, professional) and doing Christ’s work. For more information, log on to www.impactdcd.org and connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo.
ABOUT CHOOSE HEALTHY LIFE
CHL is an initiative, created by The United Way, to fortify community infrastructure in order to address the COVID pandemic in the Black community, strengthen local networks, increase long-term community resilience and save lives. CHL leverages the power of the Black church – the most trusted and respected organization in the Black community – to expand access to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, vaccines and other health services in underserved communities. There are 10 Atlanta area places of worship participating in the CHL initiative.
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