Recent Stories
September 9, 2015
Fifty Vineland children will have more confidence facing the water thanks to free swimming lessons sponsored by the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA. David Calderetti, project manager for NJPHK-V underscored the importance of learning to swim with a few sobering facts: Drowning is the number 2 cause of accidental deaths among children ages one to 14. Two children die every day as a result of drowning. Eight percent of kids who drown do so under adult supervision; usually safety is just 10 feet away. Calderetti stresses that learning to swim is especially important for city children who don’t grow up with backyard pools or swim club memberships. “Kids who are not exposed to water may not fear it. They’re apt to just jump in. Once they hit the water they panic because they don’t know what to do.” Recognizing the importance of teaching swimming and water safety, the Cumberland Cape Atlantic […]
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September 9, 2015
Newark’s Mildred Helms Park is a jewel in the city, but in past years, some of its luster has been diminished by street crime and general neglect. The 3.3-acre park sits in the center of a residential area, providing a wooded, shady oasis; visitors enjoy a gazebo, playground equipment and walking trails. Recognizing the need for a safe and healthy playground, the Trust for Public Land launched a revitalization effort for Mildred Helms Park about 10 years ago. Today, The Mildred Helms Resurrection Committee, comprising residents, organizers and volunteers, continues to restore the park to its former glory. While it’s not quite there yet, their effort has made significant progress, including new landscaping and street lights. Courtney Price, project manager for New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Newark (NJPHK-N) read about the revitalization and thought this could be an ideal location to house a family friendly “Fitness Zone,” for all ages […]
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September 7, 2015
The start of the school year means early mornings, busy schedules and a calendar full of activities and assignments. With so much going on, it is important to ensure that kids have proper nourishment to help keep their minds and bodies focused and energized throughout the year. Packing healthy lunches is a simple, effective way to help kids start the school year off on the right foot. New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK) recognizes how important it is for parents to provide their children with healthy foods and the significant impact a healthy diet can have in the classroom and beyond. “Sending kids to school with a healthy packed lunch can help them succeed in and out of the classroom. When children have a well-balanced diet they can focus on their studies instead of their stomachs,” said Darrin Anderson, Deputy Director of NJPHK. “We, at NJPHK, continue to work […]
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July 9, 2015
On Sunday, June 14, 2015 the residents of New Brunswick came together once again for the second Ciclovia event of the year. This free event, sponsored by New Brunswick Tomorrow, the City of New Brunswick, Johnson & Johnson and Rutgers University, closed the city streets from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. so that residents and visitors could participate in over a dozen activities spanning over a three mile route. The purpose of Ciclovia is to promote a community of health and wellbeing through a multitude of physical activities and health awareness initiatives. Healthy activities included group fitness classes, a pop-up skate park, an inflatable water slide, a splash zone to cool down, live music, health screenings and more. Attendees were encouraged to visit and participate in each activity – making their way by walking, running, biking or skating along the course. Ciclovias originated in Bogotá, Colombia and have since emerged […]
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July 9, 2015
Bicycling is a big part of David Calderetti’s life and he hopes to make Vineland a more bicycle-friendly environment as part of his work as project manager of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Vineland (NJPHK-V) and director of Live Healthy Vineland. Calderetti joined Live Healthy Vineland and NJPHK-V in January 2015. He came to the Partnership with a firm appreciation for the healthy living transition taking place in Vineland. As a Safe Routes to School coordinator for Cross County Connection, he assisted Lisa Scheetz and the Partnership in the acquisition of the $270,000 Safe Routes to School Infrastructure grant that will improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities near Sabater Elementary school in Vineland. That experience introduced him to NJPHK and when the project manager position opened up, it provided a perfect opportunity. Looking ahead, Calderetti envisions introducing multi-model transportation in Vineland by educating and encouraging residents on how to incorporate active […]
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July 9, 2015
Vineland’s summer Park Hop Series kicked off June 29 and will continue through August 6. Designed to bring residents into city parks over the summer, Park Hop will present activities throughout Vineland in parks that often are underutilized. “Each day, an event will take place at a different park,” explained David Calderetti, project manager of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Vineland (NJPHK-V). A Vineland resident can start off the week with sunrise yoga, join a lunchtime walk on Tuesday or Wednesday, catch a game of soccer on Wednesday evening and make new friends while playing Ultimate Frisbee on Thursdays. “We want to showcase a range of creative active play and games–like yoga or Ultimate Frisbee–that don’t require special equipment. You can just show up, get active and have a lot of fun,” said Calderetti. The vital aim is to help residents reclaim the parks and use them regularly beyond the […]
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July 9, 2015
A spirit of health and well-being is alive and well in New Brunswick this summer with the return of the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market. The market, a project in partnership with the City of New Brunswick, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Johnson & Johnson, now has a bigger presence than ever with three locations throughout the city, each opening on a different day during the week. All three locations are open from June through November and had their official grand opening the week of June 14, 2015. The farmers market brings fresh, local and healthy food directly to the residents of New Brunswick and supports the city’s mission to give them access to nutritious food on a consistent basis while also supporting local farms. “We are so encouraged to see our community embrace the farmers market and have direct access to local, health food options. It is programs like this […]
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July 9, 2015
Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Parks and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the vital and powerful role local parks and recreation play in health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country. In celebration of Parks and Recreation Month, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids is encouraging everyone to get out and experience the power of parks and recreation. “July is the perfect time to highlight all the benefits parks and recreation provides right here in New Jersey,” said Darrin Anderson, deputy director, NJPHK. “Our local parks and recreation directly contributes to reduced obesity rates and an improved ecosystem.” NJPHK is leading initiatives and providing opportunities for families to achieve healthier lifestyles by renovating parks and playgrounds in Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton, Vineland, as well as providing support […]
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July 9, 2015
Learns How Corner Stores Can Help Families Make Healthy Food Choices Touring Newark’s Lucky Fox market on May 5, State Senator Ron Rice saw firsthand how the Healthy Corner Store Initiative helps merchants to profitably stock, sell and bring healthy, affordable food options to residents. “Senator Rice is aware of the issues with the food desert environment in Newark. He was glad to see that stores are tackling the problem,” said Courtney Price, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Newark (NJPHK-N) project manager who accompanied the Senator on his visit, along with representatives from the American Heart Association and The Food Trust. Lucky Fox Market (164 Irvine Turner Boulevard, Newark Central Ward) is one of four corner stores in Newark that have signed on to the Healthy Corner Store Initiative. The New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Initiative is a statewide program focused on increasing the availability and sale of healthy, affordable […]
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July 9, 2015
The Greenwood Avenue Farmers Market, located at 427 Greenwood Avenue, celebrated its grand opening on Monday, June 15, with great fanfare as more than 100 people, including local and state dignitaries, supporters, partners, vendors, health service providers and residents of Trenton came out for an afternoon and evening of food, fun and health-related activities. “The Greenwood Avenue Farmers Market is another great milestone for NJPHK and the city of Trenton,” said Marissa Davis, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids project manager. “Nearly half of Trenton’s youth between ages 3 to 18 are either overweight or obese and providing easy access to healthy foods, health services, physical activities, food tastings and education is critical to making a positive difference in their health and well-being, now and in the future.” The farmers market will open every Monday, from June 15 to October 26, 2015 from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Each Monday […]
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