Cape Assist & the CMCHCC Host Informative Networking Event

Cape Assist and the Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition Host Informative Fall Networking
Event While Showcasing Flourishing Community Programs

Numerous community partners gather to showcase the latest successes and outreach

Cape May Court House, NJ – Cape Assist and the Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition (CMC HCC), along with numerous other community partners, gathered on October 19 for their first in-person networking event since 2019. Close to 60 people were in attendance.

The Fall Networking Breakfast, held at the Avalon Links, featured an educational presentation on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the impact of childhood trauma and how it can lead to many behavioral, health, and mental health issues later in life. These risks can be mitigated by fostering supportive relationships, which those in attendance work hard to form with the county’s youth.

“Resiliency begins in the community,” said Natalia Leusner, CMC HCC coordinator. “The mission of the HCC is to create healthy communities by reducing substance misuse. By promoting this network of support, we are hoping to make a positive impact on all of our county’s youth.”

The CMC HCC strives to inspire more meaningful and intentional connections between youth and adults, as well as to promote cross-sector collaborations, to weave a thicker community net where youth can find hope, safety, and support.

Cape May County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes opened the event with a captivating personal story about her loved one’s battle with addiction. Lower Cape May Regional School District Superintendent Joe Castellucci discussed the effectiveness of school resiliency teams and the programs implemented within the school district as examples of how youth can get engaged and feel supported.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland spoke about what’s happening at the county level from the law-enforcement perspective, which included the state-wide Handle with Care program that was first adopted county-wide in Cape May County, the Special Needs Registry program, and their progress with the Child Advocacy Center.

Chief John Prettyman of the Ocean City Police Department, Cpl. Jennifer Elwell of Lower Township Police Department, Lt. Joseph Landis of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Lt. Mark Higginbottom of Middle Township Police Department spoke about the success of their individual police youth camps and the impact those camps have had on the children who’ve attended.

Pastor Thomas Dawson of SOAR Church talked about the youth support initiatives involving the Cape May County Coalition for a Safe Community, while Chrissy Casiello from No Limits Academy informed the group about the free boxing program at the youth development center their organization offers to local youth as a way to provide them with an activity that comes with great responsibility and connection.

Cape Assist’s Executive Director Katie Faldetta, HCC Chair Ken Litwak and Vice Chair Sherry Phillips also addressed the group. Amazed by the eloquent and humbling messages, Faldetta closed the event with remarks on how grateful Cape Assist is to have such a devoted team. She also reiterated the organization’s commitment to being a strong partner to the organizations and helping them continue the impactful work they are doing in the community.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.healthycommunitycoalition.org.

EVENT SPEAKERS FROM THE L-R: Katie Faldetta, Cape Assist Executive Director; Lt. Mark Higginbottom, Middle Township PD; Chief John Prettyman, Ocean City PD; Jeffrey H. Sutherland, CMC Prosecutor; Ken Litwak, CMC Healthy Community Coalition (HCC) Chair; Sherry Phillips, CMC HCC Vice Chair; Lt. Joseph Landis, CMC Prosecutor’s Office; Superintendent Joe Castellucci, Lower Cape May Regional School District; Pastor Thomas Dawson, SOAR Church; Cpl. Jennifer Elwell, Lower Township PD; Chrissy Casiello, Vice President of No Limits Academy; Natalia Leusner, CMC HCC coordinator.