Norwescap

Creating Opportunities. Changing Lives.

Making Healthy Connections

Norwescap Health Connections Hosted Their 2nd Annual ‘Back to Health’ Fair

January 26, 2023 – You know the adage, “You are the company you keep.” So, if you’re seeking to be healthy, you’re among great company with the team at Norwescap Health Connections! This program provides resources to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be healthy, including services such as free cancer screenings and supports; information and support for vaccinations; transportation to medical appointments; and educational webinars and events and all things health related. 

To broaden our connections to and within the community, last year we launched our annual Back to Health fair, bringing together programs, services, and experts from all areas of health, nutrition and wellness. The 2nd annual fair, hosted on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1/16/2023), aligned with the time just post-holidays when many people are just a few weeks into their New Year’s focus on resolutions to improve health. 

Norwescap Health Connections is committed to promoting healthy living in our community, and this free public event welcomed people of all ages to connect with the providers and resources to support health from every angle. Norwescap’s team offered information and enrollment support for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children), as well as resources for Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED) and other vital health screenings. A power pack of additional health and service providers were on hand, including Zufall Health Center, Warren County Community College, Abilities, Coventry Family Practice, Sam’s Club, Phillipsburg Library, Parent to Parent Addiction Services, Shoprite of Greenwich, Department of Human Services, Warren County Health Department, and Maxsip Telecom.  

The event offered experts to talk to about nutrition, diet, and health-related programs offered in Warren County, and access to services including flu shots, COVID vaccines, SNAP and WIC enrollment, healthy snacks, addiction supports, transportation, and wireless services – all providing health awareness and promoting healthy living. There was also a free healthy lunch to partake of throughout the day, plus raffles and door prizes.  

“We intentionally selected MLK Day as a public holiday so that kids could come and join us with their parents and caretakers on a day that school is closed. We look for a location that is central and accessible, making it easy for all to get to us.” Silvia Camelo, Manager of Norwescap Health Connections, tells us.  

Last year’s event was hosted at St. Phillip and St. James Church on South Main Street in Philipsburg. This year the Firth Youth Center on Fleming Drive graciously hosted the event, providing ample parking spots and great space, but the location may have created a challenge for those relying on public transportation. We are open to feedback on the event’s location as well as services available – we want to hear from you! If you attended the Back to Health Fair – or would have liked to attend but were unable – we want to hear from you. Please reach out to the team via Silvia Camelo at camelos@norwescap.org or by calling 908-387-9888 to offer your input and suggestions for improving this event in the future.  

More about Health Connections…  

Norwescap Health Connections is a group of things related to – you got it! – HEALTH. They serve Warren County residents who are uninsured or underinsured, in a generous income bracket of 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – which at the time of our January 2023 publication is under $66,250 per year, without regard to immigration status. Additional eligibility guidelines include women aged 18 years and older, men aged 50 years and older, high-risk populations, and anyone with a personal or family history who may begin screening at a younger age. 

This program provides breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancer outreach, education and screening services by offering screenings funded largely through The Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) Program. Some of the services available for women include Cervical Cancer screenings which may include a pap smear and pelvic exam, Breast Cancer screenings such as clinical breast exams, mammograms, and instructions on breast self-examination, Colorectal Cancer screenings such as fecal occult blood test (FIT), colonoscopy, and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy. For men, services include Prostate Cancer screenings which may include a digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), and Colorectal & Breast Cancer screenings specific to male health. 

Dawn Hartfelder – Updated 2/15/2023