Camden
August 29, 2013
Respond, Inc. provides services for adults and children that touch almost every aspect of their lives from child care, a senior adult center, programs for homeless adults, rental housing and home ownership, youth services, employment, economic development, job training and associated programs that help people help themselves. Now with the introduction of a comprehensive wellness policy the organization has taken an important step to “provide every child with the opportunity to eat healthier and engage in more physical activity,” according to Wilbert Mitchell, Respond Inc.’s executive director. The organization is asking parents to join with them to “support the guidelines” and “follow the new policies, especially regarding healthy snacks, healthy lunch choices and healthy treats for celebrations.” The wellness policy is a textbook example of effective guidelines—comprehensive, instructive and easy to follow. All the bases are covered from nutrition standards for children and infants, eating environment and nutrition education. Parents […]
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August 29, 2013
With Breakfast in the Classroom, Camden City Public Schools is taking the lead in creating a healthy environment in its schools. Beginning this month, 14 schools will be providing free breakfast for all students in their classrooms. More schools are expected to be added throughout the year. The breakfast will contain recommended food groups—milk, whole grains, fruit. The menu could include yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit salads, scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, pancakes, Nutri-Grain Benefit Bars, French toast and breakfast muffins. Each school chooses its model, either breakfast served in the classroom by Food Service staff, or Grab n’ Go—bagged food served from a food cart. Breakfast will take about 10 minutes start to finish and Food Service has a system in place for delivery and clean up. Food will be served by Food Service staff, not by teachers. Breakfast should not interrupt or disrupt ongoing activities in the classroom; it’s more […]
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August 29, 2013
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. As kids head back to school, this national designation gives prominence and keeps children’s health and well-being at the forefront of policy discussions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asks that officials, communities and individuals “use this month to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and show people how they can take action toward a solution—both at home and in the larger community.” Perhaps the best way to show how action can be taken is to reflect on policy change that has yielded both immediate results and also holds promise for continued positive outcomes over the longer term. Camden has a lot to celebrate in that area. Camden City Public Schools has adopted a district-wide wellness policy that has the potential to change the direction of nutrition and recreational activity for all Camden school children. Breakfast in the Classroom, one of […]
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July 2, 2013
A grant from ShapingNJ to NJPHK-Camden has spurred community efforts to develop assessments about neighborhood parks so the City of Camden can create strategies for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (known as CPTED). Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager, reports that more than 20 community members attended the first CPTED Community meeting in April, addressing neighborhoods on the north side of the city. A meeting for south side neighborhoods is planned for this summer. CPTED is based on the belief that by working together, public officials, residents and environmental planners (architects, landscape designers) can increase safety and prevent crime in a community by building physical environments that influence human behavior in a positive way. CPTED focuses on four principles: natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality and maintenance. NJPHK-Camden, working with the Camden District Council Collaborative Board (DCCB), an independent community organization, developed a survey to query residents about the current physical […]
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February 28, 2013
Originally mentioned on CBS Philly Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager, has been recognized by the Campbell Soup Foundation for her leadership in building a healthy community for Camden residents. The Campbell Healthy Communities Award was presented to Galarza in recognition of the significant contributions she has made on behalf of NJPHK-Camden to improving the lives of Camden residents. Galarza was one of three community leaders honored at the Foundation’s award breakfast attended by over 100 leaders of non-profit community organizations on February 28. “The award recognizes the strides our NJPHK-Camden partners have made in building a healthy environment in Camden,” Galarza said. “I am so fortunate to work with a committed group of community leaders who share a clear vision of a healthy future in Camden.” Galarza joined NJPHK-Camden in October 2010.Through her leadership, NJPHK-Camden and its partners have worked together to impact areas such as the adoption of comprehensive […]
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January 28, 2013
During the 2011 school year, Forest Hill Elementary School offered hot breakfast in the school cafeteria, but only 43 percent of the students were eating it. School principal Gail Witherspoon was not satisfied with that percentage. She understood the importance of breakfast to student learning. She also knew that many children at this pre-K through grade 5 school were not skipping breakfast because they had eaten it at home. Instead, they bypassed the cafeteria because it was tough to get to school early enough to eat before class. Breakfast in the Classroom seemed to be the logical solution to ensure students started the day nutritionally prepared. But the challenge became “how to make it happen?” She turned to NJPHK-Camden for help…and she got the support she needed. Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden Project Manager teamed with Yemele Ayala, community partnership director for the Camden City Public Schools and ARAMARK, the food service […]
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December 3, 2012
The Parkside United Methodist Church is the first faith-based organization in the city of Camden to adopt a formal wellness policy integral to its ministry. The church is committed to “model, teach and encourage healthy eating habits, combat obesity, and ultimately promote improved health and wellness.” The wellness policy will influence the foods purchased and food donations accepted for all ministry programs, including snacks served to children and meals provided at church functions and through their food ministry that prepares and serves meals to the community. The policy specifies the types of food the church will strive to serve, provides direction on portion control and commits to integrating exercise into all children’s meetings. Merdis Hill, chair of the Church’s Health & Welfare Ministry, worked with her committee on the positioning of the policy and Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager, provided technical assistance to the committee. “The policy at Parkside United […]
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November 27, 2012
Expect significant changes to promote student health now that the Camden City Public Schools have adopted a comprehensive wellness policy. School Board President Kathryn Blackshear says the policy will change the way schools feed children and get them engaged in active play. Approved by the Camden Board of Education on November 27, 2012, the policy focuses on making healthy eating, nutrition education, and physical activity an integral part of the day in the city’s 26 public schools. With the wellness policy as the framework, the Camden Board of Education hopes to help reduce obesity rates among Camden children and youths. “The board is committed to creating a healthy environment,” said Blackshear, “and the school district will engage students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and members of the community in raising awareness about wellness and integrating nutrition and physical activity into the lives of our children.” Interim Superintendent Reuben […]
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October 21, 2012
Originally published in CourierPostOnline Under a sunny autumn sky Saturday, more than 300 volunteers descended on Northgate Park to build a playground for local kids and their families. Planning for the playground began at a Design Day held in August when city children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM!, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership and the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. A dream playground was envisioned, and the children’s drawings were then used to create the final design. “This new playground is a true reflection of what lies in the hearts and minds of the children of our great city,” said Camden Mayor Dana Redd. “I am excited to work with all of the inspirational partners that have helped make fun and safe play a reality for North Camden.” Read full story… SHARE:
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October 20, 2012
Originally reported by Amy Buckman, Channel 6 Action News There’s a new place to play in Camden. and this one comes courtesy of some generous souls. SHARE:
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