Ms. Pack worked hard to encourage her students to stay involved to the end.

Ms. Pack learned to become a Community Health Worker in the Baltimore City Cardiovascular Health Partnership's "Healthy Hearts in Public Housing." This program was designed to bring cardiovascular health to people living in Baltimore's public housing communities.

Spearheaded by HUD staffer Carol B. Payne, "Healthy Hearts in Public Housing" was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. It has attracted attention in health conferences across the country where people gather to discuss the state of health in public housing. The first of these conferences was held at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where Ms. Pack highlighted her experience in the Baltimore Healthy Hearts project.

In 2005, the 63 year old participated in a grant-writing session offered by HUD's Baltimore Field Office. Ms. Pack used the principles she learned in the seminar to write a grant proposal to the Baltimore Community Foundation for a her health program in Brooklyn Homes. She was awarded $5,000 for her "Motivation Through Health Screening," an exercise and weight loss class and a health fair.

Highlighting cardiovascular health, she started with the exercise class. "I wanted to make people aware of health problems-especially cardiovascular disease and obesity, explained Ms. Pack. "What better way to do it than to start an exercise class and teach people about nutrition." Participants ranged in age from 18 to 70 years old. The class began with 26 people. Exercise activities were organized according to age and ability. As an added incentive, she offered a $100 cash prize to the person who lost the most weight.

At a luncheon for the participants, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley presented the group with a citation for the great community effort.

The group also hosted the 3rd Annual Health Fair at Brooklyn Homes with over 125 people attending. Vendors provided health education, lead paint testing, blood pressure screening, consumer protection information, instructions on how to use the new electronic voting machines, and even information about a proposed new park in Brooklyn that will include walking trails and bird-watching located near the water in Masonville Cove.

Asked about her motivation, Ms. Pack remarked, "The Lord above keeps me going. I have hypertension, but I like to see things get done so I don't let a little cardiovascular disease keep me down. I like to see improvement. If we can combat some of the health issues in our community, then we can carry on to accomplish other things."

And the dynamo keeps on going-helping others.

If you would like to learn more about this effort, pleased contact J.C. Shay (james.c.shay@hud.gov) at (410) 209-6587 or visit the National Institute of Health's website

Content Archived: February 15, 2011