DIXONS MILLS &8212; Rural Assistance Program for Churches and School (RAPCS) is branching out from Linden to Dixons Mills. The program was introduced at Cornerstone Church in Linden last month and has since been requested in its neighboring town.

Local residents are invited to receive free health screenings and health information as part of the Rural Assistance Program for Churches and School (RAPCS). The program called Wellness Days will feature various speakers who will address different health topics each week, in addition to free blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and height and weight screenings conducted by a registered nurse.

El Shaddi will host the program every Wednesday of each week.

The health event is free and will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday at El Shaddi Church, 2451 Hwy. 10 E in Dixons Mills.

The program is set with two goals in mind, Washington said.

The program also offers a session from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Monday morning at Cornerstone Church on 7th Avenue East in Linden.

Washington said the program is a means to provide healthcare to those who cannot afford it or otherwise would not receive the care they may need.

Washington said community involvement through churches and schools is important to helping the wellness of a community, such as the rural areas in which the programs are hosted.

While the new Wellness Days program is the first established in Marengo County, it follows on the heels of a very successful program that is a collaborative effort between the Health and Wellness Education Center and RAPCS. The program is held at the Health and Wellness Center in the Sumter County Health Department.

The program provides pre and post-tests to access the knowledge they have gained through the program.

RAPCS is funded by a federal grant; the program operates under the umbrella of the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority in Demopolis and covers Marengo, Sumter and Greene counties in West Alabama.

Churches and schools interested in hosting the wellness program should contact Washington at 287-2572. Interested program participants should contact Washington or Cornerstone Church at 334-295-0044.