The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Toms River Communities That Care (CTC) initiative unveiled the Kindness Grows mural recently at Community Medical Center, honoring positivity, the voices of local youth, and a community commitment to kindness.
The 4′ x 4′ mural, inspired by last year’s “Chalk the Walk” event with students sharing messages on sidewalks across Toms River, features a portrait of then-5th grader Angelina Gross in the act of writing a message of kindness. Local artists Steve Schreiber, Gianna Masi, and Fernan Dungca worked together to bring the vision to life, with Mark Dornan preparing the canvas.
In the weeks leading up to the unveiling, students, parents, and teachers contributed their own words of kindness to the mural’s flower petals, turning it into a symbol of the community’s compassion.
“This project represents what happens when a community comes together to make kindness visible — which is exactly the type of environment we strive to cultivate through Communities that Care,” said Amy Carreno, Manager, Toms River Communities That Care, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR). “It’s more than art — it’s a reminder that small acts of care and connection can create ripples that last for years.”
The mural was made possible through the leadership of Carreno and Jessica Ruzow, Assistant Vice President at Community Medical Center, who secured a permanent home for the artwork in the hospital.
“This project is a terrific example of just one of the creative ways Community Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health work to strengthen our connection to the people of Ocean County and beyond,” said Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer, Community Medical Center. “The artwork will serve as a daily reminder to our team members of the incredible community we serve and the kindness that inspired the ‘Chalk the Walk’ event, and ultimately this mural.”
The Kindness Grows mural is now on display in Community Medical Center’s Outpatient Lobby, where it can inspire visitors and reinforce the belief that positivity can transform a community.
The Communities That Care (CTC) initiative is a component of the RWJBarnabas Health Social Impact and Community Investment Practice (SICI), focused on addressing social, economic, and environmental conditions that contribute to poor health outcomes, reduced life expectancy, and higher costs.
IFPR provides CTC services in Asbury Park, Barnegat, Toms River, and Newark and is the first organization to implement these services in New Jersey.
