Camden
September 21, 2014
NJPHK-Camden is working with UrbanPromise Ministries and Camden Community Charter School to tailor and adopt wellness policies that will influence nutrition, food choices and physical activity. Both schools also plan to pilot a farm-to-school community garden that will allow children to grow fruits and vegetables for the school cafeterias. Provided with a mini-grant from NJ Healthy Communities to help underwrite the effort, the schools hope to sign off on the wellness policies in time for the 2014-2015 school year. SHARE:
READ MORE
September 1, 2014
Camden’s UrbanPromise Wellness Center garden is a true oasis. The 17 raised beds, forming the shape of a labyrinth, provide a restful retreat, a bounty of fresh vegetables, and a source of wonder for the Urban Promise school children who plant seeds in the garden and watch them grow. “The overall goal of the UrbanPromise Wellness Center is to reduce the impact of toxic stress on everyone in the UrbanPromise community,” explained Rebecca Bryan, the Wellness Center Director. “We’re always trying to help kids get through adverse times in a healthier way. A labyrinth is a sacred space, a quiet, reflective space but at same time ours is a source for good nutrition and heathy eating.” An early rudimentary garden took root in 2013. A mini-grant from New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden (NJPHK-C) helped to expand the garden program this year. Bryan said that many families and children are […]
READ MORE
July 16, 2014
This summer, children in East Camden will be able to play and engage in structured activities at four Camden parks, thanks to the addition of Stockton Park to the summertime programs run by the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties from June 30 through August 29. “We are thrilled to extend this popular program to another neighborhood park,” says Valeria Galarza, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden (NJPHK-Camden) project manager. “The partnership has always advocated for the use of city parks, and working closely with the city of Camden, the YMCA was able to lead this program to continue its growth within the community.” NJPHK-Camden is also working with other organizations to present structured activities in city parks. Activities offered may include arts and crafts; clinics to teach and enhance skills in soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball and field hockey; and CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health), a YMCA program designed […]
READ MORE
April 5, 2014
Visitors to the New Jersey Adventure Aquarium on January 30 who made a left at the shark tank found themselves at the NJPHK-Camden SMART Initiative Forum exhibit. Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager, and Alexis Sangalang, FoodCorps service member, were promoting the gardening, parks, and playground initiatives spearheaded by NJPHK-Camden in this second annual forum focused on sustainability and green initiatives in Camden. NJPHK-Camden’s exhibit attracted a steady crowd of onlookers. “Turnout was impressive and we welcomed the chance to spread the word about the positive environmental impact NJPHK-Camden and our partners are creating here in Camden,” Galarza said. “Improving the areas where residents and their families play and enjoy the outdoors is so important in the fight against childhood obesity. We have had some true successes and were happy to share our stories.” NJPHK-Camden was one of 16 exhibitors. Speakers at the forum included Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd, who […]
READ MORE
March 10, 2014
Originally published in NJBIZ Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center THE SOUTH JERSEY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION In just four years, The South Jersey Young Professionals Association (SJYPA) has raised over $200,000 to support the construction of the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, a project destined to revitalize the lives of our neighbors in Camden. With the Kroc Center set to open in the Fall of 2014, this year’s Halo Ball will cap off a five-year partnership with The Salvation Army. The SJYPA will also present The Halo Award to a young professional who has demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of the South Jersey community. Angel of the year winner Valeria Galarza, the New Jersey Partnership for Health Kids-Camden project manager. SHARE:
READ MORE
February 10, 2014
Originally published in Burlington County Times It’s been a season of good deeds, honors and accomplishments. In the month that includes Valentine’s Day, here are some heartwarming reports of kudos-worthy neighbors and causes.Maybe we don’t think enough about architecture, but we should not forget that it’s all around us, and is a key part of our everyday life, according to someone who clearly recognizes that. Kimberly Bunn of Moorestown, owner and principal of Bunn Architecture, is the recently installed president elect of the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ). The local organization, which was founded in 1900, is now comprised of 2000 members in six regional sections. For a total of 22 years, in two separate stints, Sister M. Elizabeth Corry served as president of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. The award established in her honor is regarded as a most prestigious one, and this […]
READ MORE
February 8, 2014
Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager has been named Angel of the Year by the South Jersey Young Professionals Association (SJYPA). Each year, the SJYPA presents the Halo Award to one young professional who exemplifies an extraordinary commitment to the betterment of South Jersey. Galarza was honored for both her professional and charitable achievements. Through NJPHK-Camden, Galarza leads initiatives that address food issues and combat the epidemic of childhood obesity. “We are so proud of Val and the work she has done on behalf of the YMCA in Camden City,” said Tim Kerrihard, president and CEO of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties and co-director of NJPHK-Camden. “Her efforts in and around the community, both personally and professionally, are inspiring. We are lucky to have such a remarkable individual on our team.” “I am humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love alongside people who are […]
READ MORE
December 9, 2013
Originally published in The Collingswood Patch Camden County Nutrition Advocate, Robin Waddell, MPH, Receives New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids Champion Award Award recognizes significant contributions in the area of childhood obesity preventionNew Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK), a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, presented its first “Healthy Kids Champion” award to Robin Waddell, MPH, of Delanco during its Building Healthy Communities Conference on December 4, 2013 at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ. The award acknowledges Robin Waddell, MPH, County Extension Department Head, Senior Program Coordinator of nutrition education program in Camden County and the Southwest Regional Supervisor for Rutgers Cooperative Extension, for her outstanding support of the organization’s mission to design and implement childhood obesity prevention strategies that support access to affordable healthy foods and increases opportunities for safe physical activity; and for her outstanding efforts in advocating the implementation of breakfast in the classroom […]
READ MORE
November 14, 2013
Originally published on Cherry Hill Patch Award recognizes outstanding collaboration in implementing childhood obesity prevention strategies New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden (NJPHK-Camden), a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, announced today that it received the “Best Collaborative Effort of the Year” Award by the Non Profit Development Center of Southern New Jersey. Presented at the inaugural awards and networking event honoring local nonprofit agencies and leaders for excellence in service in South Jersey, NJPHK-Camden was recognized for its outstanding community action in implementing and strengthening childhood obesity prevention strategies to support access to healthy foods and increase opportunities for safe physical activity for children in Camden City. The NJPHK-Camden is co-directed by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) in Camden County and the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. NJPHK-Camden partnerships include: Campbell Soup Company, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden […]
READ MORE
October 31, 2013
A new healthy foods initiative brings together NJPHK-Camden, Campbell Soup Company, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and the Center for Environmental Transformation with a goal to improve the school food environment and connect existing gardens. The initiative focuses on access to gardens, knowledge about nutrition, and engaging students, parents and community volunteers in building gardens, growing vegetables and improving awareness about healthy eating in schools and homes. Six sites have been identified through Campbell Soup Company’s Healthy Communities Initiative. They include four schools (Early Childhood Development Center, ECO Charter School, DUE Seasons Charter School, and Holy Name School) and two social services agencies (Respond, Inc. and Center for Family Services). Alexis Sangalang is onboard to help make it all happen. A FoodCorps service member, Sangalang will be instrumental in getting the initiative off the ground. She is already working with children at Center for Family Services […]
READ MORE
Contact Us: 609-278-9622
Follow Us On: