The State Department of Health awarded New Covenant United Methodist Church a grant for a project called For the Health of It.
This is the second year the department chose NCUMC for its Community Health Disparity Prevention Program.
Beginning in January, the church, under leadership of Reverend David M. Tokpah, is set to use grant funds to provide interactive instructional classes. Classes are based on an healthy options curriculum called Faithful Families Eating Smart and Moving More.
The Center for Disease Control recognizes the program as effective in incorporating faith into lessons about health promotion and disease prevention.
The curriculum is comprised of nine one-hour sessions with lessons on healthy cooking and exercise, along with family-focused health related activities. The classes also include recipe demonstrations.
Sessions are scheduled for Wednesday and Sunday.
NCUMC will also offer free beginner yoga classes, as well as dance lessons in ballroom, swing and Merengue. Child care will be available during dance lessons.
The church is also set to host workshops on health promotion, disease prevention, and health care consumerism education on Saturdays.
NCUMC plans to use grant funds to teach the community how to grow vegetables in container gardens.
Recognizing that having access to health insurance is key to accessing preventative health care, NCUMC will also provide direct assistance in applying for free public health insurance called NJ FamilyCare and help people in need access beneficial online resources such as SNAP (formerly called food stamps).
More information is online at newcovenantumc.net.
