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Healthy Kids Recognition

December 13, 2014 | Community News

IMG_1798There was much to celebrate and acknowledge at the NJPHK Building Healthy, Equitable Communities Conference with the presentation of Healthy Kids Champion awards to six community leaders for their commitment and contributions in the NJPHK-targeted communities of Camden, New Brunswick, Trenton, Newark and Vineland and in the State Program Office.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Meishka Mitchell, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership (CFP) Vice President of Neighborhood Initiatives, was acknowledged for being an established community leader in Camden, respected by government officials, community partners, city residents, and peers. She brings a keen, unique perspective and expertise in community planning and neighborhood revitalization to CFP based on her education, experience and as a Camden native, brings a deep knowledge of this community to her leadership.

Michael G. Blackwell, Superintendent of Recreation in New Brunswick and Executive Director of “The First Tee of Raritan Valley” was acknowledged for his work in New Brunswick as an NJPHK partner focused on youth and recreation.  Michael serves as a chairperson for programming and logistics for Ciclovia, a healthy living festival, which creates opportunities for residents to live healthier lives.

Marguerite Leuze, Special Assistant for Health and Nursing, for the Office of Health Services of the Newark Public Schools was recognized for her dedicated and focused commitment to the children in the city of Newark especially those who are underserved and less privileged.  Students and their families benefit from her significant attention to specialized care particularly for the medically fragile students.

Francis Blanco, Chief of Staff to Trenton Mayor Eric E. Jackson was recognized for her tireless efforts in leading several advocacy and partnership initiatives designed to foster broader policy and planning approaches to promote healthy communities in Trenton.

Stanley Burke was recognized for his community-minded leadership and dedication by working more than full-time as a volunteer with the NJPHK-Vineland team. He is a leader who shares his passion, wisdom and desire to make a difference, inspiring the partnership to think ‘outside the box’ resulting in innovative ways to collaborate for the benefit of the Vineland youth.

Barbara George Johnson, Executive Director of the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy at Thomas Edison State College is the State Program Office recipient of the award. She was recognized for her commitment, dedication and statewide partnership to the NJPHK since its inception. She co-chaired the Community Partners subcommittee in the development of the strategic plan.

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