Spotlight on NYCHA’s New Health Matters Employee Association 

Veteran NYCHA employee Michael Jacocks has long made health a central focus in his way of life. 

A martial arts practitioner and teacher, the self-described health enthusiast said his choice to adopt a whole-food, plant-based diet goes hand in hand with his active lifestyle.  

“I consider myself an athlete and it really doesn’t work if you’re not eating right while trying to be an athlete,” said Mr. Jacocks, a Community Coordinator in the Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES). “Health has been very important in my life for most of my life.”  

While preparing some of his meals at lunch, Mr. Jacocks found a like-minded colleague in Monica Morris, who is also particular about her food choices and has taken her health seriously for years. Ms. Morris, a Housing Assistant in the Leased Housing Department, enjoys passing on her knowledge about proper diet and nutrition to fellow NYCHA staff.   

After speaking with several other colleagues who were interested in sharing tips about healthy living and eating habits, Mr. Jacocks and Ms. Morris, along with REES Supervisor George Gomez, decided to create a forum in which employees could exchange information on food, nutrition, and health practices. The group was established as the Health Matters Association, one of NYCHA’s newest employee associations. 

“We think people would really benefit from sharing this information that we have,” said Mr. Jacocks, a nearly 40-year employee who serves as association chair.  

Health Matters, which held an official launch meeting in Brooklyn in January, seeks to foster an atmosphere of health and wellness within the NYCHA community that includes “the sharing of ideas, information, and practices that are known to promote and improve the general health and well-being of people.”  

The Health Matters Association launch event featured guest speakers including health and nutrition consultant Yvonne Rubie and Reiki practitioner Gha’il Rhodes Benjamin, as well as vendors offering vegetarian dishes and natural juices.

Noting that some co-workers have expressed a desire to change how they eat, Ms. Morris said she has shared useful information she learned from classes and tried to mentor them on how to make healthier choices, including considering the effects of carbohydrates, calories, fats, and sugars on one’s diet.  

“There are employees in the office who are very much interested in it and they’re really trying hard, so it makes me feel great,” said Ms. Morris, who serves as association co-chair. 

Ms. Morris said she became motivated to help others improve their health after trying to make changes in her own life, and interacting with fellow staff through the Health Matters Association is another opportunity to give advice on living a healthy lifestyle. 

“There were things I wanted to improve on with my health and do something about,” said Ms. Morris, a nearly 30-year employee. “I was able to turn all of that around, and that made me want to help people as much as possible. I was able to do it, so I know other people can do it as well.”  

While the group promotes a healthy living mindset, being a health enthusiast is not a requirement for membership. The association does not claim to provide people with any medical advice and merely aims to give members the tools and knowledge to better their diet and overall health.  

“We respect anybody’s choices,” Mr. Jacocks stressed. “We just want to provide the information so they can make an informed decision on their own.”  

The Health Matters Association plans to hold monthly meetings to disseminate health-related information; discuss wellness, fitness, and nutrition topics; and share personal experiences. The group will also invite experts and people knowledgeable in the field to speak about health practices that can improve quality of life.  

“I think people, in particular our NYCHA colleagues, all want to have an atmosphere not only of support, but also a place to share ideas and get feedback from experts concerning health and healthy living,” said Mr. Gomez, the association’s secretary. 

Other planned activities include quarterly health-focused events addressing a specific theme for the season, such as “spring cleansing.” In addition, the association hopes to produce a quarterly newsletter to highlight upcoming wellness events and provide other information.  

The Health Matters team, whose first themed event is scheduled in April, is seeking to expand its membership and invites employees from across the Authority to join them. For the aspiring health enthusiast, Mr. Jacocks was philosophical in suggesting a path to a healthier life.  

“If we consider our bodies as a temple, and that our spirits reside there, we may take better care of them,” he said.  

For more information, including how to become an association member, email michael.jacocks@nycha.nyc.gov. 

Photo caption: Community Coordinator Michael Jacocks (left) and Supervisor George Gomez of the Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) serve as chair and secretary, respectively, for the recently formed Health Matters Association at NYCHA.