The Bayonne Interfaith Association, in conjunction with the City of Bayonne, hosted the first of a series of mental health awareness events in 16th Street Park.
The event was dubbed the “Selfcare and Wellness Resource Fair” and was well attended on June 30. The inaugural series kicked off last summer as residents sought some normalcy amid the relief in COVID-19 restrictions.
The first event focused on sharing knowledge, providing resources, and promoting awareness of mental health. A number of organizations in Bayonne and many that operate countywide were in attendance.
Resource agencies included Bayonne Medical Center, Journey Counseling, Mike Stanlaw Fitness, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bayonne Police Department, German’s Massage, Trinitas, Bayonne Community Mental Health, WTCARES, United Health Care, Magdalena T’Kwak’L Yoga, Prayer Station, Nutritionist, Office on Aging, NAACP Health Committee, Jersey City WIC, Midtown Pharmacy, Bayonne Totally Healed International and others.
A number of public officials also showed their support for the first event, such as Assemblyman William Sampson, City Councilman At-Large Loyad Booker, City Councilman At-Large Juan Perez, and First Ward City Councilman Neil Carroll, among others.
There were also several speakers, including a brief workout, as part of the interactive presentation at the event.
Additionally, there was free gelato and sorbet from DRIP Gelato and Cafe at the event. The next event will be held later this month, consisting of a movie night in the park.
One of the organizers of the event Rev. Dorothy Patterson of Wallace Temple AME Zion Church previously told the Bayonne Community News that the next event in the series will be a movie night this month.
The movie night will be at 16th Street Park on July 28 starting at 7:30pm. The movie will be “Encanto,” and free ice cream will be provided again.
Patterson added there will likely be a presentation before the movie starts. The presentation will relate to the overall theme of the events centered around mental health awareness.
Similar mental health resources will also be available at the second event. Patterson said that there has never been a more important time for mental health awareness, thus the event series was continued again this year following the warm reception last year. More events will likely be announced for the following months.
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