Camden Community Partnership has received a grant in the amount of $75,000 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The donation, made through the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, will be used to fund new evidence-based health and fitness initiatives in the city of Camden focused on reducing obesity and related chronic conditions, while promoting fitness and healthy living for local residents.
“Since our inception, Camden Community Partnership has been dedicated to a holistic and inclusive approach to the community and economic revival of the city of Camden,” Dana Redd, CEO & president, Camden Community Partnership, said. “As health equity continues to play a vital role in the evolution of the city of Camden, this critical funding will be utilized to launch care-based initiatives and a variety of supportive programming aimed at advancing education, increasing awareness and encouraging prevention, all for the overall health benefit of city residents.”
“This $75,000 grant from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to Camden Community Partnership is wonderful news and aligns with my administration’s efforts to improve our residents’ overall health and well-being,” Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said. “The events and programs this grant will fund combine fun, family-filled activities with educational lessons that can inspire residents to live a healthier lifestyle. I look forward to participating in these initiatives alongside our Camden families this summer.”
The generous funding provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey will be utilized to launch two innovative health-based initiatives in Camden:
- Healthy Food & Lifestyles Initiative: The goal of this initiative is to engage and connect with individuals in order to integrate youth obesity prevention and education into their everyday lives, with a focus on healthy eating and lifestyle. This initiative will include the launch of two large-scale food insecurity/food distribution events, hosting health screenings at various special events in Camden, providing healthy snacks and beverages at events held in city parks and open spaces, organizing a cooking/education program focusing on healthy foods and lifestyles, supporting healthy interventions in partnership with local nonprofits and more.
- Camden’s Youth Athletics & Fitness Initiative: The goal of this initiative is to engage and connect with individuals in order to integrate youth obesity prevention and education into their everyday lives, with a focus on physical activity. This initiative will include the launch of various health education events/seminars in city parks throughout Camden, hosting a speaker series with the support of local youth athletic associations, showcasing health resources of partnering organizations at special events in city public spaces, organizing a number of fitness activities targeted at families, hosting youth-centric and family fitness events in public spaces and more.
These initiatives will also be tied to Camden Community Partnership’s existing Connect the Lots program — a collaborative partnership with the city of Camden designed to engage Camden residents in neighborhood transformation by creating safe hubs of activity and quality programming, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy in city public spaces and corridors.
In order to launch these new health initiatives, Camden Community Partnership will rely on its vast network of state, regional and city-based partners, including: Better Tomorrows, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, Camden County Metro Police Department, Camden County Health Department, Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition, Heart of Camden, the Salvation Army, Urban Promise, Virtua and more.
“Horizon is pleased to support the vital work of Camden Community Partnership to improve healthy living and fitness to all Camden City residents,” Jonathan Pearson, executive director of the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, said. “Camden Community Partnership’s health initiatives closely align with our mission to help our members gain access to resources and services to achieve their best health.”
