The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS), in collaboration with Boon Boona Coffee, a local Black-owned businesses, and Dunia Health Clinic, hosted a special vaccination event entitled Boosters @ Boon Boona. The goal of the event was to provide those in the community who have struggled to find access to medical resources with an opportunity to protect themselves amidst the continued rise of COVID-19 cases within King County.
During the event, booster shots, COVID-19 vaccines, PPE, and COVID-19 tests were made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“With the increased demand of community members seeking out boosters and tests, we are happy to facilitate even in the smallest way possible,” says Efrem Fesaha, owner of Boon Boona Coffee, who provided access to his Seattle coffee shop location to host the clinic.
Those who chose to get vaccinated, boosted, tested, or signed up to get vaccine outreach updates received a free coffee of their choice.
“As a Black community, we are stronger and most impactful when we collaborate.” says Zyna Bakari, the Urban League’s Public Health Program Manager. “Together with the amazing Black-owned coffee shop and pillar in our community, Boon Boona Coffee, and Dunia Health Clinic, it is our goal to create a space to receive boosters and tests that is warm, joyful, welcoming, and rooted in community care. We hope those who have been waiting to get their booster will come to our clinics, get any questions they have answered, and fellowship over coffee with us.”
Throughout the course of the 4-hour event, 65 vaccines and 60 COVID-19 tests were administered. In addition, 240 at-home COVID-19 testing kits were distributed to the public along with over $700 worth of coffee drinks to those who participated.
“It is more important than ever that we use our resources to meet the community where they are and promote community care. Our response to the pandemic is not individual because we must all come together so that everyone can feel safe and return to our normal lives,” says Dr. Abubakar Abdul-Rahman of Dunia Health Clinic, who single handedly administered each vaccine, booster shot, and COVID-19 test.
Due to the overwhelming need demonstrated during the first event, a second Boosters @ Boon Boona pop-up clinic has been scheduled at the coffee shop’s Renton location at 724 S. 3rd St. on February 21 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Vaccines, booster shots and COVID-19 tests will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested attendees are advised to arrive early, as lines are anticipated.
Anyone who needs at-home COVID-19 tests can contact Zyna Bakari at the Urban League at zbakari@urbanleague.org for assistance.
