The annual Hope and Health Festival in Lorton begun in 2013. This year the seventh-annual Hope and Health Festival took place on Saturday, May 4, 2019, behind the Lorton Library and I had a chance to attend it. There were 19 different vendors offering everything from vision screenings from the Mason Neck Lions Club to the Mason Neck State Park talking about fitness and events at the park. There was free food, kids’ games and activities, crafts, inflatables and lots of information.
Linda Patterson, Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) Executive Director, told me that the event began as a partnership between LCAC, South County Church, and the Lorton Library. It is quite important for the Lorton community to get first-hand knowledge about health issues and how to deal with them.
The whole purpose of the Hope and Health Festival is to ensure that the neighbors of Fairfax County have access to services. The hardest part in Fairfax County, especially if you’re a low-income household or individual, is to find a way to plug in to access needed services – whether it’s health screenings or whether it’s information about WICK or Medicaid or food stamps or finding a way to get sight or vision screening. That is what this event is about – it’s making sure that everyone has access to information so there are parity and equity in Fairfax County.
Maryam
View posts by MaryamMaryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.