H.O.P.E.+ Initiative

It is crucial to identify a suitable location that will be accessible for the target population. Consider selecting a space to accommodate the planned services, safe for hosting the event, and allow for a large number of individuals to stop and engage in the activities.  Begin visiting the area and looking for locations early in the process that will allow for a health fair. While you do this, take the time to make connections with key stakeholders around the area and its residents and invite them to attend. You want to keep in mind if The location needs to be easily accessible to allow participants to be able to attend without any concerns. Consider whether there are enough parking spaces nearby for all involved: attendees, participating agencies, and volunteers. 

H.O.P.E.+ example: One of our main aims was to screen home-free people and those at risk of losing housing for health and psychosocial needs to connect them to appropriate services. Identification of areas of El Paso, TX where the target community members congregate was a first step for determining appropriate venue and region for the health fair. This led us to selecting the location of our first health fair at the Opportunity Center for the Homeless. Later, intentions of expansion began, and the goal was to reach several areas of El Paso to serve those who might also have similar experiences but are located in other regions. This gave us the opportunity to serve isolated or underserved areas where health services and resources are limited.