Neuro-Reach Hosts Workshop at Leonel Castillo Community Center

Last weekend, Neuro-Reach hosted an Alzheimer’s and cognitive screening workshop at the Leonel Castillo Community Center, bringing together student volunteers, healthcare professionals, and local residents for a day focused on brain health awareness and early detection.

Our team of student volunteers screened more than 50 seniors using a simplified version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief and research-based tool used to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. Each participant received personalized feedback, educational handouts, and referrals for further evaluation when needed.

Beyond the screenings, the workshop fostered meaningful intergenerational connections. Volunteers shared memory-preserving strategies, explained the science of aging and cognition in approachable language, and listened to participants’ personal stories about caring for loved ones with memory loss.

For many attendees, this was their first opportunity to learn how lifestyle factors such as sleep, physical activity, diet, and social engagement influence long-term brain health.

“Our goal is to make neuroscience accessible,” said Ralph Satija, founder of Neuro-Reach and a junior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. “We want students to not only understand brain health but also share that understanding with others. Alzheimer’s isn’t just an aging issue; it is a community issue.”

The event received media coverage from CW39 Houston, where Ralph discussed the importance of early detection and youth involvement in neurological advocacy. The segment spotlighted Neuro-Reach’s mission to bridge science, service, and community, inspiring other students across Houston to take part in public health initiatives.

This workshop marks one of Neuro-Reach’s first large-scale collaborations with the Alzheimer’s Association and Harris County Precinct 2, with additional community center events planned in the months ahead. Together, we aim to build a city where brain health awareness becomes a shared civic value.