NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan’s Annual Back-to-School Fair Provides 700 Backpacks and 350 Bicycle Helmets to Students
The event also raffled five bicycles and connected East Harlem families with health education and neighborhood resources
Sep 10, 2026
New York, NY – NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan welcomed local children and families to its Annual Back-to-School Fair, distributing 700 backpacks, providing 350 bicycle helmets through a partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation, and raffling five bicycles, all of which were awarded to children from the community. The annual event also offered school supplies, health education, bicycle safety information and access to neighborhood resources. Metropolitan Auxiliary donated backpacks, school supplies and bicycles for the fair, while MetroPlusHealth served as a sponsor. The Office of New York State Senator José M. Serrano participated as a community partner.
“Back-to-school season is a special time for children and families, filled with anticipation, hope and new possibilities,” said Julian S. John, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. “This fair allowed us to share in that excitement and create a welcoming experience where families could feel supported, learn about available services and connect with trusted community organizations. The energy throughout the day reflected the strong relationship between Metropolitan Hospital and the community we serve.”
“The heart of this event was the people who came together to make it meaningful for local families,” said Elsa Cosme, Chief Operating Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. “Our staff members answered questions, shared information and helped families identify services that can support them throughout the school year. We appreciate the dedication of our hospital teams, community partners, sponsors and volunteers who helped make the fair a memorable day for children and caregivers.”
“Every child deserves to begin the school year with the tools, encouragement and support needed to succeed,” said New York State Senator José M. Serrano. “This fair brought families together with health professionals, educators, community organizations and local leaders in a setting centered on connection and care. I am proud to partner with NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan and grateful to everyone who helped make this a wonderful experience for families across the 29th Senate District.”
“MetroPlusHealth is honored to partner with Metropolitan Hospital, an institution deeply committed to supporting the children and families of East Harlem,” said Roger Milliner, Chief Growth Officer at MetroPlusHealth. “Children are our future, and investing in them means ensuring families have the resources and support they need as the school year begins. No family should have to worry about accessing school supplies, health information or important immunizations. Through community resource fairs like Metropolitan Hospital’s Annual Back-to-School Fair, MetroPlusHealth and our partners are helping families feel prepared, supported and connected to care.”
Children and caregivers also visited information tables staffed by hospital teams and community partners, where they received health education, screenings, educational materials and information about health services and programs. Participating organizations included Success Academy, Lehman College, East Harlem Community Partnership, East Side S.O.U.L. Family Enrichment Center, the New York City Department of Transportation and other local organizations.
Metropolitan Hospital’s Annual Back-to-School Fair is part of the hospital’s ongoing community engagement efforts to make health information, services and community resources more accessible to East Harlem families.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Isaiah McClain (mcclaini@nychhc.org), 212 423-7782.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is a 338-bed facility serving East Harlem and surrounding communities. Known historically as the primary health care provider in El Barrio, Metropolitan delivers high-quality, compassionate care to over 350,000 clinic patients and more than 50,000 emergency room visitors annually. The hospital is a designated Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Center of Excellence and a recognized “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign. Metropolitan has earned numerous honors, including the AORN, Beacon, and Lantern awards, a Leapfrog “A” Grade for patient safety, and national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list. With a legacy spanning 150 years, Metropolitan maintains the nation’s oldest municipal hospital-medical school affiliation through its longstanding partnership with New York Medical College. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/metropolitan.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.