Trenton up for RWJF prize
Trenton was chosen as a finalist for the fourth annual RWJF Culture of Health Prize given by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. As a finalist, Trenton is one step closer to the national prize that honors communities that place a high priority on health and bring partners together to drive local change.
Selected from nearly 200 communities across the country, Trenton is the only community in New Jersey among the 15 finalists for this year’s prize. Winners will be announced in September.
Entrants were judged by six criteria: 1) Defining health in the broadest possible terms, 2) Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions, 3) Cultivating a shared belief in the importance of equal opportunity for health, 4) Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members, 5) Securing and making the most of available resources, and 6) Measuring and sharing progress and results.
“It is gratifying to see our collaborative efforts recognized in this important way,” said Gregory Paulson, executive director of the Trenton Health Team, which is serving as the lead applicant on behalf of the City of Trenton. “We are committed to addressing health in a holistic way, reaching across sectors to engage partners and community members in building a culture of health for all.”
If selected as a prize winner, Trenton will be given a $25,000 cash prize and an opportunity to share its story and lessons learned with the nation. To learn about the work of the 20 previous Culture of Health Prize winners, visit www.rwjf.org/prize.
Grant for Health Team
Trenton Health Team has been awarded a five-year grant totaling $2.5 million by Trinity Health to build on collaborative efforts aimed at improving the health and well-being of the Trenton community. Trenton is one of six communities nationwide that were selected as grantees under Trinity Health’s Transforming Communities Initiative.
Trenton Health Team was eligible to apply for the program through its partnership with St. Francis Medical Center, which is an affiliate of Trinity Health.
The Transforming Communities Initiative will deploy evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing rates of smoking and youth obesity, improving access to nutrition and physical activity opportunities, reducing health disparities, and enhancing community wellness and resiliency. Trenton Health Team will work through its Community Advisory Board to develop a detailed action and evaluation plan for the initiative. Key partners who provided letters of support for the application include Capital Health, Henry J. Austin Health Center, Isles, Inc., the Trenton YMCA/New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Trenton, Millhill Child and Family Development, Catholic Charities El Centro, Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, and Children’s Futures.
For more information on the Trenton Health Team, go to www.trentonhealthteam.org.
Free income tax prep
The Mercer County administration recently announced two free series of income tax preparation assistance sessions to help qualified residents prepare and file 2015 state and federal income taxes that need to be posted by Monday, April 18.
The AARP Tax-Aide will offer programs to people with low to moderate incomes at the following Mercer County sites:
Ewing Branch, Mercer County Library System, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon. Appointment necessary; call 609-882-3148.
Lawrence Headquarters Branch, Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment necessary; call 609-882-9246.
Mercer County Connection, 957 Route 33 (Acme shopping center), Hamilton, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment necessary; call 609-890-9800.
For more information, including a list of documents to bring to the Tax-Aide site, visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance with basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities at the following Trenton centers:
Boys & Girls Club of Trenton, 212 Centre Street, Trenton, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. English/Spanish bilingual assistance. Walk-ins welcome; call 609-392-3191 for required paperwork.
Catholic Charities of Trenton, 39 North Clinton Avenue, Trenton, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m. English only. Walk-ins welcome; call 609-394-3202 for required paperwork.
Crisis Ministry of Mercer County, 123 East Hanover Street, Trenton, Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. English/Arabic/Chinese/Spanish bilingual assistance. Walk-ins welcome; call 609-396-9355 for required paperwork.
Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, 669 Chambers Street, Suite B, Trenton, Tuesdays, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. English/Spanish bilingual assistance. Walk-ins welcome; call 609-688-0881 for required paperwork.
For more information, including qualifications for free service, visit www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.
PEF and artist team up
Trenton Public Education Foundation (TPEF) will host an art sale and wine tasting on Tuesday, April 12, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the SAVE Animal Shelter, 1010 Route 601, Skillman.
The event was inspired by celebrated Princeton-based artist Sydney Neuwirth, who donated a collection of 15 acrylic paintings to the Education Foundation for fundraising purposes. Neuwirth will also attend the event to meet guests.
Art sale proceeds will support the Trenton Public Education Foundation’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ arts education initiative program “Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child,” administered by TPEF on behalf of the Trenton public schools.
Neuwirth was born in a suburb of Newark, where her family had a paint business. She is married to Lee Neuwirth, a mathematician and former director of the Institute for Defense Analyses in Princeton, and is mother to two children, actress and dancer Bebe Neuwirth and California-based actuary Peter Neuwirth. Neuwirth’s work can be seen in galleries in Princeton, New Hope, and New York City as well as in New England and California.
The ticket price of $35 includes a sampling of wines from around the world and hors d’oeuvres and can be purchased at www.tpef.org, by e-mailing info@tpef.org or calling 609-656-4900, ext. 5604.
