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School Health Highlights

School Grant Opportunity
There is still time for  public middle and high schools   to apply for $4,000 health and wellness grants to achieve our vision that  New Jersey youth are healthy and ready to learn in a school environment that supports wellness and offers opportunities for healthy choices .  All districts that register with the  Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program   are eligible to apply. The application deadline is Friday June 10th. These school grants are made possible through EmPoWER Somerset's School Health grant, funded by the New Jersey Department of Health.  A total of thirty grants will be awarded statewide for schools to complete specific Sustainable Jersey for Schools health and wellness actions. EmPoWER Somerset will provide guidance and technical support for ten schools that are selected for funding in the central region.
CADCA Youth Leadership Training   June 28th and 29th 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day
Registration is now open and limited spots remain for Somerset and Hunterdon county students 
entering grades 9 through 12.


   
Register by May 31 to reserve your race tech-shirt!  

EmPoWER Somerset is pleased to continue our partnership with the Somerset County Wellness Committee on the 3rd annual 5K Race to Wellness on Wednesday June 8th at Skillman Park,  a USATF Certified Course!  Same day registration will also be available. 
  
 
Race packet pickup will be from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. The 5K race will begin at 7:00 pm and a 1 Mile Fun Walk will begin at 7:05 pm. The awards ceremony will be at  approximately 8:00pm

ENTRY FEE
Students (age 19 and under) $20
Seniors (age 60 and over) $20
All others $30
An on-line registration fee of $2.50 per person applies.

Prizes will be awarded to top finishers including gift cards of $100, $75 and $50 for the top three overall finishers respectively and medals to the top three male and female finishers in each age category.   Prizes will also be awarded to the Somerset County middle or high school that assembles the largest team - see the article above for more details!

In addition to EmPoWER Somerset, proceeds will benefit  nonprofit organizations Middle Earth, Somerset County 4-H and Somerset County Tourism. 
 
 
 

Family Success Center
 
A community gathering place that brings families together through free events & local activities and connects families to helpful resources in Somerset County...     
 
 Relationships Make the Difference 
   
On Wednesday, April 27th, t he Central New Jersey Region Network of Family Success Centers invited families to join a FREE workshop event, Relationships Make the Difference, which focused on strengthening family and community connections.  Over 150 attendees enjoyed an informative panel discussion, Q&A session, and workshops on topics such as  community connections, strengthening families, reaching out and a journey through relationships.  C hildcare, a catered lunch, and a chance to win family themed prizes were also offered to all attendees.
   


The EmPoWER Family Success Center is a community gathering place that provides free family fun activities, workshops, and connects families to local resources. The EmPoWER  FSC holds at least one free family fun night each month throughout Somerset County.
 
  Contact the EmPoWER FSC for other ways you can help at 908-722-4400 or [email protected]
 
        Check out the links below for more 
Family Success Center happenings:
Empower Family Success Center is proud to participate once again in our  area's largest Flag Day celebration!  Please join us to enjoy  a d ay of patriotism, family fun, food and music!





 

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Commu nity Pre-K Our Way
 
On Tuesday, May  17th, the Pre-K Our  Way Staff, in collaboration with United Way o f Northern NJ and the Somerset County Council for Young Children, conducted a Community Presentation on Pre-K Our Way at the Bound Brook Memorial Library for both parents and professionals. 

Participants were provided with an overview o f the Pre-K Our Way Initiative which seeks to make quality preschool opportunities available to children in the targeted towns of Bound Brook, South Bound Brook and Manville, regardless of a family's ability to pay.   The presentation included the history of the  Pre-K Our Way Initiative and included video presentations from stakeholders and elected officials in other parts of New Jersey who have supported bringing universal preschool to their communities.

Attendees were encouraged to contact Pre-K Our Way to hear about ways they can become advocates for the program in local communities within Somerset County.
 

2015 Annual Report   
 
  
We invite you to view EmPoWER Somerset's 2015 annual report detailing our diverse programs and services including School Health, EmPoWER Family Success Center, County Council for Young Children, Safe Communities Coalition and a spectrum of evidence-based prevention education programs for individuals, families, veterans and active military. 
Our Mission:   EmPoWER Somerset assists individuals and families in making positive lifestyle choices and fosters healthy, drug free communities through education, collaboration, and linkages to resources.