7th Avenue Community Garden Open for its 8th Season!

Long Branch, N.J.—Long Branch Concordance Family Success Center held its 8th
Annual 7th Avenue Strengthening Families Community Garden Kick-off and
Health Fair this past Saturday. The kick-off was the opening day for families
to register for garden plots, connect with the community, and become acquainted
with wellness service providers. The Family Success Center partnered with Jacob
Jones, City of Long Branch, back in the spring of 2009 to grow the tradition of
the garden, and the essential partnership that continues to provide organic
produce growing community health, creating urban beautification, and being a
representation of the diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Underneathcloudy skies a community shined bright as LBC staff, board members, interns,
volunteers, wellness providers, city officials, and families came together to
share a healthy breakfast, clear plots for cultivation, receive free health
screenings. During the growing season at the community garden families have the
opportunity to learn how to plant, and cultivate spices, vegetables, flowers,
and fruit.

Communitywellness partners provided free HIV, blood pressure, and glucose screenings to
visitors. There were interactive informational presentations, and displays on
nutrition, healthy eating, and resources available in our community. Wellness
partners in attendance included Horizon BCBS NJ, Brookdale Community College
Nursing Students, Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, Covenant House, 180
Turning Lives Around, Rutgers SNAP-Ed, and Hola Doctor Insurance Services. Long
Branch Concordance extends an exceptional thank you to all the wellness service
providers that contributed to the kick-off as these community collaborations
help to grow the resiliency of the community and strengthen the impact.

Cityofficials presented a strong presence at the Community Garden Kick-off, and
reinforced the importance of social commitment to health and wellness on all levels
within the community. “When the community comes out to support and interact
with one another as a whole, it promotes social inclusivity and works to grow
social trust,” stated Jahmoia Rice-Norflett, LBC Volunteer and Community
Outreach Coordinator. “These two components are vital to the mission of
strengthening families and creating community.” Council members, Micheal
Sirianni, Kathleen Billings, Joy Bastille, and John Pallone could be seen
touring the garden, interacting with families, and serving as catalyst in the
growth of the community. Mayor Adam Schreider was a well-received guest at the
garden whose presence promoted the importance of the investment in community
and its families.

Butterflies,cats and lions could be seen running around the garden; not the actual insects
and animals but the face-painted children! “It was such a great day for
families and their children. There were activities for the kids, crafts, games,
and face painting. The families are excited about the garden and the upcoming planting
season,” stated Lourdes Alcaraz, LBC Bi-lingual Family Support Partner. “Thank
you to Shekira Farrell for volunteering at the event, making it that much more
colorful with face painting.” The volunteer list was made longer when the Youth Group from Searchlight Churcharrived. Led by Youth Pastor Matt Jones, the group hauled debris from the
garden plots in preparation for the growing season. Searchlight Youth Group are
regular volunteers at the Family Success Center.

“As a valuable part of the LBC’s mission to prevent child maltreatment by
strengthening families, the 7th Avenue Community Garden provides an
opportunity to promote parent—child interaction, as well as grow parent
knowledge, family literacy, and life skills,” stated Lisa Wilson, Executive
Director. “The garden becomes an interactive family activity where everyone
learns how to prepare and store healthy foods, too. Also, twice weekly LBC
staff attend the garden to offer free parent—child activities. We are looking
forward to a healthy active summer!”

For more information about volunteering at the garden and registering for a plot of
your own, contact Jahmoia Rice-Norflett, Volunteer and Community Outreach
Coordinator, at (732) 571-1670 or email to Jahmoia@lbc4help.org
or Lourdes Alcaraz, Bi-lingual Family Support partner by email to
lourdes@lbc4help.org. For more information about Youth Group Activities contact
Searchlight Church at 732-962-1522 or by email at hello@searchlightchurch.com

Photo 1: Martina Hernandez and Christina Hernandez, LBC parent leaders

Photo 2: Michelle Moscato, Rutgers SNAP-Ed

Photo 3: Tyshawn Solomon, Brookdale intern, Jahmoia Rice-Norflet and Lourdes Alcaraz, LBC staff

Photo 4: Youth Pastor Matt Jones and Searchlight youth group members

Photo 5: Milton Daniels and Antionette Joyner

Photo 6: Nick DiFranco, LBC trustee and Long Branch Councilwomen Kathleen Billings and Joy Bastille

Photo 7: Mayor Adam Schneider, Garden Specialist Mark Davis, Councilwoman Kathleen Billings, and Erin Conti

Photo 8: Amparo Plaza and Matilde Guevara, VNAHG

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Long Branch Concordance, a local non-profit agency establish in 2004, works to improve the lives of families in Long Branch and the surrounding area by finding resource for people in need, fostering individual and family development and creating partnerships for community well-being. For more information about the agency and its programs, please visit our website at www.lbc4help.org. We also welcome the community to tour our office and Family Success Center facility located at 300 Broadway in Long Branch and the 7th Avenue Community Garden.