Healthy Outcomes Partnership Plans Week-Long Mental Health Event.

Healthy Outcomes Parternship Steering Committee Meets to Plan Mental Health Week at the Somerset Hill YMCA. Seated, left to right: Ellie Rose, MD; Reverend Greg Miller, Covenant Chapel Reformed Episcopal Church; Mary Jane Postal, Somerset County Mental Health Board, Sharon Kelly, Atlantic Health System.

Standing, left to right: Connie Moore, Julie Yanenko and Jonathan Yoesting, Somerset Hills YMCA; Lauren Luik, HOP Steering Committee Chair; Bill Kimzey, BernardsVoices.org; Susan Kamins, Somerset Hills YMCA; Christine Rose, Somerset County Office of Youth Services; Audrey Taffet, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills; and Judi Logan.


[BASKING RIDGE, NJ] -- The Somerset Hills YMCA, in alliance with the Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP), is currently planning a week-long education and information event for May 10-15, 2010 that will be focused exclusively on mental health. The event will include numerous talks, workshops and exhibits presented by experts and organizations on a variety of mental health issues. During that week, the Somerset Hills YMCA will welcome keynote speaker, Dr. Brad Sachs, who is a psychologist, educator, consultant and best-selling author specializing in clinical work with children, adolescents, couples, and families, in Columbia, Maryland. His most recent book, When No One Understands: Letters To a Teenager On Life, Loss, And The Hard Road To Adulthood, was published in 2007, and is based on his between-sessions correspondence with a suicidal adolescent whom he was treating. He has been interviewed on over three hundred radio and television shows, including The Today Show, and 20/20.

“HOP brings together mental and behavioral health professionals with concerned community leaders, all of whom generously volunteer their time to seek ways of providing better access to the resources people need to deal with difficult emotional issues and to have healthier relationships,” said Lauren Luik, HOP Steering Committee Chair and a member of the Board of Directors at the Somerset Hills YMCA. “Statistics show that 25% of the population -- AND our community -- are affected by a mental illness. So, even if you are not among that 25% at this point in your life, you may have been in the past, may be in the future, or may currently be concerned about the mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems of a loved one, friend or co-worker.”

With the support and leadership of the Somerset Hills YMCA, the Healthy Outcomes Partnership was formed in March 2009. Last year, HOP launched its educational initiative with a panel discussion and community forum, “Who Pulled the Rug Out? A Community Conversation about Economic Uncertainty and Its Affect on Us All.” The event drew an audience of more than 100 residents and incited provocative conversation. HOP members and other organizations offered resources, contact information and direct assistance during a reception after the event.

HOP is a volunteer coalition of experts that is exploring the common hurdles that prevent people from having healthy relationships. Among these issues are depression and anxiety caused by job loss, marital and family conflict or caring for an ill or disabled loved one, as well as serious mental illnesses that cause tremendous distress to the individual and his or her loved ones. A long-term goal of HOP is to create a resource and referral service that links community members to the services they need to deal with these problems. In the short-term, HOP is focused on community education and creating dialogue about mental health as an important part of overall health and well-being.

Members of the HOP Steering Committee include representatives from Bernards Township Health Department, Bernards Township Police Department, Bernards Township School District, Somerset Hills School District, Community Hope, Covenant Chapel Reformed Episcopal Church, King of Kings Ministry, Paterson Family Success Center, Somerset County Department of Human Services, Somerset County Office of Youth Services, Somerset Hills YMCA, Visiting Nurse Association of the Somerset Hills and many other health professionals, community volunteers and YMCA staff members.

For more information or to get involved in HOP, please visit http://www.somersethillsymca.org/ or call Susan Kamins at 908.766.7898 ext. 1590.


The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body. We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

The National Inclusion Project Partners With The Somerset Hills YMCA To Create Recreational Opportunities

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ)- The National Inclusion Project has partnered with the Somerset Hills YMCA to implement Let’s ALL Play—Inclusion in Recreational Programs. The partnership will allow children with developmental disabilities to enjoy a successful summer camp experience in an inclusive setting. As part of this initiative, the National Inclusion Project will provide a program model, training, expertise, and an award of $10,000.

The National Inclusion Project has been actively developing its Let’s ALL Play Program since the program’s inception in 2004. In 2010, the Project is partnering with over 45 recreational programs in 23 states. Teaming with the Somerset Hills YMCA is another exciting step toward their goal of full inclusion. “We feel that working with the Somerset Hills YMCA will help us further our mission to open doors in communities nationwide for children with disabilities to experience everything life has to offer,” says Jerry Aiken, Executive Director.

Let's ALL Play helps bring an inclusive recreational experience to children with disabilities. It gives children with developmental disabilities the same experience as those without. Children with disabilities and their peers who are typically developing come together to participate in recreational activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, community service, physical fitness and more.

In 2008, the Project enlisted the services of The Center for Social Development and Education at the University of Massachusetts-Boston to assess the implementation of Let’s ALL Play. Overwhelming evidence showed that children with disabilities improved self-esteem, social skills, confidence to participate, and sport and motor skills. Campers of all abilities were equally likely to develop friendships with each other.

“We are very excited to work with the National Inclusion Project to further open the Somerset Hills YMCA program to children with disabilities,” said Bob Lomauro, President/CEO of the Somerset Hills YMCA. “This will help enable us to give more children the chance to participate in activities they and their families may have never thought possible.”

About the National Inclusion Project: The National Inclusion Project, formerly the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them. By providing curriculum, training and financial assistance, the Project partners with communities and programs in creating awareness and opportunities for full inclusion where barriers break and doors open. It is their goal to create an environment for children where inclusion is embraced. To learn more about the National Inclusion Project or ways to get involved visit their Web site at www.inclusionproject.org.

Series of Workshops Offer Estate Planning and Investment Planning Advice

A series of four free workshops will be offered on select Thursdays from 7:30 – 8:30pm at the Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mount Airy Rd, beginning April 1st. The goal of the series is to better educate the community by providing an educational service and to raise awareness of endowment opportunities. The workshops are presented by the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Endowment Committee.

The first, ‘Estate tax laws are changing; are you prepared?’ will be led by John McManus, a Basking Ridge resident and member of the Somerset Hills YMCA Board of Directors. John, a graduate of Fordham University School of Law, has his own law firm representing individuals and families in wealth transfers and legacy planning and is the past president of the Estate Planning Council on Northern New Jersey. John is regularly invited by financial institutions in the tri-state area to speak on estate planning topics.

The second workshop, ‘Taxable Municipal Bonds, Build America Bonds, and Tax-free Municipal Bonds; what are they and should you own them?’ will take place Thursday, May 6th, and will be presented by Eric Keith, a graduate of the University of Tennessee and an investment counselor with a large investment firm in NJ, who brings nineteen years of experience in finance and real estate to his presentation. “Few people know about Build America Bonds, for instance, that they were introduced with the Obama administration as part of the stimulus package and that are partly subsidized by the federal government”, said Eric Keith.

The third workshop, ‘What happens if you become incapacitated – do the courts make decisions for your well-being?’ and the fourth, ‘401Ks and Rollovers – should I roll it, leave it or take it?; And what are Traditional and Roth IRAs – should I convert it?’ will be held May 27th and June 17th led by McManus and Keith respectively. “I love giving my time to the Somerset Hills YMCA,” said John McManus, “and if I can simplify complex estate matters to members of the community, I am even happier.”

For more information, please contact Alison Buxton, VP of Development, at abuxton@somersethillsymca.org or 908.766.7898 ext. 1508 or visit www.somersethillsymca.org

Splash into Safety at the Somerset Hills YMCA

A Week-long Program of Safety and Swimming

[Basking Ridge, NJ] – In an effort to help save lives, the Somerset Hills YMCA is offering all children ages 4 - 10 yrs in our community YSplash – a week-long program of swimming designed to help kids stay safe in and around water. The program will run Monday through Friday, from April 12 – 16th at the participant’s choice of one of these times: 4:00 – 4:30pm; 4:30 – 5:00pm; 5:00 – 5:30pm. This program, inspired by the YMCA’s mission of serving all individuals regardless of their ability to pay, costs just $20 per child and is open to every child in the community, members and non members alike.



Formerly called Learn to Swim Week, this new and improved program will be held at the Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Road. “Swimming is the second most popular form of exercise in the United States, with nearly 370 million annual visits to swimming pools,” said Erica Schaefer, Associate Director of Aquatic Youth Programming. “YMCAs have traditionally been the places where young people learned not only swimming skills, but also the importance of playing safely in the water to prevent injury. That’s why YSplash is so important, because it teaches kids basic swimming skills and safety practices, so they can have fun in the water.”



Online registration for Y-Splash will begin March 18th at 10:00am at www.somersethillsymca.org. YMCA membership is not required, however, a login and password are needed to register and can be obtained by emailing kdigiovanni@somersethillsymca.org. For more information, please call 908.766.7898 X1503.

What’s That Stuff In My Food?

Public Health Nutritionist Offers Healthy Advice to Seniors

In partnership with the Somerset Hills YMCA, the Bernards Township Health Department is presenting a lecture, “What’s That Stuff in My Food?”, Wednesday March 24th at the Somerset Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mt. Airy Rd, Basking Ridge, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.



Public Health Nutritionist, Cheryl Komline, MS, RD, will talk about antioxidants, phytochemicals, flavonoids and other substances, explaining where they are in food and how they work. She will also share information on how these substances provide great health benefits in preventing and slowing down certain chronic diseases. This free presentation is open to all senior citizens in the community and lunch will be served.



Attendees are asked to register by Friday, March 19th by calling Kathy Kelly on (908) 204 3068. For more information, please contact the Bernards Township Health Department at (908) 204 2520 or www.bernardshealth.org

Three Y’s Guys with One Common Cause

Swim For Richard Raises Funds and Awareness

When three gentlemen, calling themselves the Three Y’s Guys, step into the pleasant 75° waters of Tampa Bay, FL. this coming April to embark on a challenging 24 mile marathon swim, one special young man will be on the minds and in the hearts of them all, from start to finish. This young man was Richard Caretto, who will always be remembered for his generosity, sharp sense of humor and his sensitivity to social problems.



Richard, son of one of the swimmers, tragically lost his life in April of last year after waging a valiant and difficult battle with bipolar disorder. A 2005 graduate of Lawrenceville, and a Bloustein scholar that recognizes academic excellence, Richard also volunteered at the Somerset Hills YMCA helping children with autism. Additionally, Richard was a varsity runner for both the cross country and track teams, tutored under-privileged children and volunteered over 200 hours of community service assisting patients with dementia.



In honor of his son, Martino Caretto and his two close friends, Paul Kiell and Doug Munch, have planned a Swim for Richard in the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 17th, 2010. Their objective is to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and raise funds for the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA’s financial assistance program, as Richard benefited tremendously from the friendly and warm welcome he always experienced when volunteering at the YMCA. Strong Kids ensures that no one is ever turned away from a program, services or support because of an inability to pay. A donation will also be made to TGen Institute, a non-profit organization that researches new treatments, therapies and cures for many diseases, including bipolar disorder.



Martino, Paul and Doug, sharing an average age of 67 years, will swim relay in the marathon and are hopeful that the event will generate interest and dialogue about bipolar disorder. “Richard had his whole life ahead of him,” said Martino. “If our efforts bring relief to another individual or spare other families the devastating pain that has been inflicted on mine, then the Three Y’s Guys will feel a great sense of achievement. No matter how much we raise, the friendship and support of those around us has been of great comfort to me and my family.”



Donations to the Three Y’s Guys will directly contribute to furthering medical advances in this field and will also help raise awareness of bipolar disorder. “A lack of understanding about this disorder often leads to it being swept under the carpet. The stigma generally attached to mental disorders needs to be dispelled so that progress in research can be made and more support can be offered to individuals and families in need,” added Martino.



Please make checks payable to the Somerset Hills YMCA. If received by April 1st, contributions of $50 or more will be listed on the back of the t-shirt that the Three Y’s Guys will wear the day of the relay.



For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or contact Paul Kiell at 908.781.1703 or paulkiell@comcast.net