{"id":291726,"date":"2026-07-09T20:12:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/291726\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T20:12:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:12:15","slug":"somos-social-care-network-fordham-university-host-summer-mercado-to-connects-bronx-families-with-food-housing-and-healthcare-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/291726\/","title":{"rendered":"SOMOS Social Care Network, Fordham University host Summer Mercado to connects Bronx families with food, housing and healthcare resources"},"content":{"rendered":"

SOMOS Social Care Network and Fordham University hosted Summer Mercado on July 7. Summer Mercado is a new community event which aims to promote healthier lifestyles to hundreds of Bronx residents.<\/p>\n

Summer Mercado enlisted athletes, health advocates, local leaders, and community-based organizations to help inform families about SOMOS\u2019 new program which offers housing assistance, transportation, food and personalized case management to Medicaid members.<\/p>\n

In New York, all Medicaid members can receive health-related social needs services.\n<\/p>\n

Yokastheline (Yoki) Alejo, a SOMOS community care employee who led an arts and crafts station for youth at the event, was moved by the amount of families that attended.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish that this information was more attainable or available to people. \u2029They just don\u2019t know. Having an opportunity to get people together, maybe it\u2019s the music, be it the kids or the events, but just to get people in one room to really understand that we can help, and we can do it together. I think it\u2019s super important,\u201d Alejo said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia and baseball hall of famer David \u201cBig Papi\u201d Ortiz at Summer Mercado. Photo courtesy of SOMOS<\/p>\n

Tania Tetlow, President of Fordham University, said the university was proud to host the event, which took place on campus grounds at the Lombardi Fieldhouse. Tetlow expressed gratitude for SOMOS\u2019 efforts to support the local community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe [Fordham University] have been here for almost 200 years, serving immigrant students, and first in their families to go to college. So for all the kids here today, look around, get comfortable, want you to come to school at Fordham. \u2029We want you to become a doctor who works in your community,\u201d Tetlow said.<\/p>\n

Summer Mercado included a live healthy cooking demonstration from chef Michelle Disla, a community fitness workout energetically led by Peloton Head Fitness Instructor Robin Arz\u00f3n, giveaways, a Kids\u2019 Fun Zone and resource booths from various wellness-focused organizations.<\/p>\n

Baseball Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and David Ortiz played some of the games with local families before speaking in support of SOMOS\u2019 work.\n<\/p>\n

Rivera, who played in the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013, expressed a profound love for the Bronx community and encouraged Bronxites to seek out aid from SOMOS.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re always looking to help others, always looking to bless others. We\u2019re here to promote that, to promote food that you guys need \u2026 It might be you guys don\u2019t know that there\u2019s a program that will provide food for families who will take advantage of it. We\u2019re here to promote all that for you guys,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Summer Mercado enlisted athletes, health advocates, local leaders, and community-based organizations to help inform families about SOMOS\u2019 new program which offers housing assistance, transportation, food and personalized case management to Medicaid members. Photo Courtesy of SOMOS<\/p>\n

Sandra Reyes, Founder and Executive Director of PATHHSEO (Programs, Advocacy Towards End of Health Disparities & Hunger via Service, Education & Outreach) enjoyed working with her volunteers at the event to hand out free food and resources to the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not ask questions. If you come to our door, we serve you,\u201d Reyes said.\n<\/p>\n

Shanty Ramnarine handed out resources on behalf of the Dominican Women\u2019s Development Center, where she works in the Health Promotions department. The center offers resources for women, single parents, queer people, and youth of all kinds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have found that that being very inclusive is important for the community,\u201d Ramnarine said.\n<\/p>\n

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson also supported SOMOS\u2019 mission.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Summer Mercado event speaks volume to our commitment as leaders, healthcare providers, and professional staff in the Bronx. This is a celebration of our strength and the diversity across our borough,\u201d Gibson said.<\/p>\n

Founder of SOMOS Social Care Network, Dr. Ramon Tallaj said he hopes Bronx residents take two things from Summer Mercado.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cOne, that food is medicine. And two, there\u2019s help here.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Maurice Burbridge is an intern at the Bronx Times. He can be reached at mburbridge@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n