program overview page

WHAT WE DO:
BeWell Health & Wellness is a health education and wellness support program developed by Columbia University’s Harlem Health Promotion Center funded by the Helen Gurley Brown Revocable Trust.  BeWell partners with the New York Public Library’s BridgeUP (BU) Program, which is an after school academic enrichment program located in 5 libraries in upper Manhattan and the Bronx. BeWell provides health and mental health education, supportive counseling to help foster health awareness and healthy choices for BridgeUP youth and their families. BeWell provides BU staff, scholars and their families with health education trainings on a variety of topics, including stress reduction, nutrition, sexual education, healthy relationships, sleep and exercise. BeWell also provides support by creating linkages to community resources near each of the Libraries for easier access by BU staff, scholars and families. Additionally, we host a Youth Board and Parent Advisory Board to solicit feedback on our programs, provide a supportive space for scholars and parents, and to develop their skills as leaders and peer educators in their community.

BeWell works with BridgeUP staff at libraries, but is its own separate program. The co-directors of BeWell are Renee Cohall, a licensed clinical social worker, and Dr. Alwyn Cohall, a doctor who is board-certified in both pediatric and adolescent medicine. Kristan Rosenthal, a public health social worker, is the Program Coordinator. Our staff includes several health coaches who are working on master’s degrees in social work and/or public health at Columbia University.

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