Granting a Shift toward Health
The children and families of Perth Amboy will benefit from a grant of $200,000, for use during the next four years, from New Jersey Health Initiatives, a program office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The grant was issued to create a Culture of Health Coalition; a positive movement for the community of Perth Amboy. The initiative is steered by different organizational leaders in Perth Amboy and led by Steve Jobin, CEO and President of the Raritan Bay Area YMCA.
The Culture of Health held a moving-kickoff social at the Raritan Yacht Club on November 3, 2016. A collaborative group including members of the Perth Amboy Board of Education, Mayor Wilda Diaz, PRAHD, JRF, The Citizens Campaign, Community Childcare Solutions, Raritan Bay Medical Center, the Cathedral, United Way of Central Jersey and concerned residents took part in learning more about the ideas, the work status and the intentions to move forward with this health initiative.
To successfully impact the City of Perth Amboy, the Culture of Health coalition was parted into six work group committees, each with a purpose:
- Healthy Corner Stores and Restaurants
- Healthcare Centers
- Workplace Wellness
- Healthy Schools and Childhood Centers
- Community
- Faith-Based Community
Each group will focus on diverse qualities which will enrich a healthy lifestyle.
“Our growing group of vested individuals truly have the capacity to improve the health conditions for our residents…We have so many great things already going on but we need to organize and focus our work with intentional purpose…We need everyone in this discussion,” stated Steve Jobin.
Each group was able to discuss and outline the specific area’s of interest and ideas to successfully make the strongest blueprint. The outlines and discussions held during the Culture of Health Kickoff were set for a bigger and more exciting assembly held on November 29th at the Raritan Bay Area YMCA.
Perth Amboy is set to become a Healthier Perth Amboy!!!!!