In writing this column for the past 6 years I sometimes find myself musing about topics worth writing about for yet another month.  I also struggle occasionally with repeating myself- which while telling about my personal psychology doesn’t necessarily do much for the reader. 

I spent the bulk of the last couple of weeks in Nashville at the Americana Music Conference.  I was able to attend a whole bunch of wonderful music performances (among them Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlisle, Mary Gauthier, Rufus Wainwright, Nickel Creek, War and Treaty, Allison Russell, and many others too numerous to mention).  My favorite parts of this conference are the intimate workshops with many of these performers about all sorts of Americana and industry topics.  One of them (with Fiona Prine- John’s widow, Mary Gauthier, and Noel Paul Stookey- of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame) was about the inaugural inductees for the new Folk Americana Hall of Fame in Boston.  The artists being inducted were formative people for me, as introduced as a child to me by my parents. That led me to reflect, as I often do, about “the child becoming the man/woman” and how much (or how little) we may change as we age.  As September 28th was the 1- year anniversary of my father’s death my reflection felt emotional and somehow cleansing.

I think what I had to say about this topic was best said in this column from October of 2018 and so, my friends, I am republishing it for this issue 5 years later. 

Hopefully (pun intended) it has “aged well.”

“Is Whom We Are Different Than What We Do? Does What We’ve Done in the Past Define Who We Are Now?”  ...An Existential and Practical Matter Briefly Explored

“O, to be sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, and whose daily life is still best described by fairy tales.”
― Leo Rosten

Nature and nurture.  Soul and exterior.  How we see ourselves vs. how we are seen by others. Internally constructed reality vs. measurable behavioral reality.  Mutually exclusive, or fluid and “all of the above?” Are we responsible for our behavior before we are “fully grown,” and, if so, can we ever transcend our past?

In the early 1960’s Eric Berne became well known for several books with his reimagined take on transactional analysis.  The central tenet of his work (an off-shoot of traditional Freudian analysis) was that of “Parent-Adult-Child.” This schema offers a theory for child development by explaining how our adult patterns of life originated in childhood.  The explanation is based the assumption that we continue to re-play childhood strategies, even when this results in pain or defeat. This theory became popularized (and perhaps overly simplified) in 60’s culture as that of the “inner child.”  This became part of the language of much psychotherapy of the time- and the idea that all of us are inhabited by “the child we were” and that, if unprocessed, that child would manifest his or her child world behavior as an adult.  This construct gained significant attention in the field of human development, but did not ultimately answer the question “does what we’ve done in the past define who we are now?”

Here’s what we know at this point in our studies of psychological human development: on most measurable levels we are, indeed responsible for what we’ve “done”- at any time throughout the lifespan.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t different degrees of relative culpability.  What of the 9 year old boy who sexually abuses peers, but, upon investigation, comes from a family where he is regularly sexually abused by his father?  What of the 13 year old girl who surreptitiously smacks her 4 year old sister in the face and denies having done so, but whose mother’s usual form of discipline is to beat her older daughter regularly?  What of the 17 year old boy raised by at least one parent who suffers from alcoholism, struggling to fit in with peers, unsure of his own sexuality, who attempts to manage his anxiety with girls by becoming intoxicated and sometimes violently controlling?  It is easy to see that all 3 of these kids are, initially, victims of things beyond their control.  Is it not logical to hold the parents of these children responsible for the actions of their progeny?  My answer is yes….and no.

As some of you know, the bulk of my career was spent working with adolescents- and in my later years of clinical practice, adults.  Many of them were survivors of trauma, sometimes emerging from a petri dish of family dysfunction not unlike the examples I’ve listed above and, for some, much worse.  My heart immediately went out to them- as yours would- but how to feel and what to do about the initially internalized, self-protective “cloaking defenses” utilized by these folks as a means of psychological survival but now twisted and externalized in abusive behavior to others?  In the end, my question to my clients was, essentially, “yes- what you’ve suffered as a child has been unfair, inexcusable and distinctly not your fault….but at this point in your journey, what are you prepared to do about it?”  Is an explanation – even one that engenders a tremendously empathetic response – the same as an excuse?  I would argue then—and do now—that the only thing in the present, and going forward, that we truly control is what we do.  We cannot control what others do, or feel, and perhaps not what we ourselves feel….but we can, with enough hard and painful work, achieve mastery and control over our own behavior.  It is never too late, and I believe that we are capable of such change at any point in our lifetime.  Granted, the longer we’ve behaved in a certain way, the harder it is to change, but absolutely not to the point of impossibility.  Change begins with ownership of our choices and actions in the here and now.

Most of us remember doing things we are not proud of.  Some of us, if we take a full and honest inventory, might even be ashamed by choices we’ve made in our youth. Conversely, some of us recall putting ourselves in positions where substances (alcohol in particular) has made it impossible for us to fully remember exactly what it is we’ve done, especially if a great deal of time has passed since the event we are trying to recall. It is never too late to take responsibility, to apologize, to help heal others as we heal ourselves.  It is true – we cannot change the past, and we cannot “undo” something we have done – but we can indeed change the way the world looks to those we may have hurt, to those who look up to us (often our children), and, in doing so actually change the world for ourselves and others. 

As for the question of the “inner child,” I have come to believe that in times of great stress we revert (without conscious and purposeful mindfulness) to earlier and more emotionally unguarded versions of our adult selves.  The next time that you hear an adult express anxiety or fear about an event from childhood, or, alternately, hear an adult express unbridled anger and aggression – close your eyes and just listen.  How old does the person sound to you without the visual and life context information at your disposal?  I want to suggest that the age you “hear” will often be the age at which development was arrested.  

Love the child inside you.  All children deserve that.  Be brave enough to expect growth for that child—some of which will require difficult appraisal, courageousness and risk.  And all of it, I assure you, can be transformative.

In September, Kim Cowart, Director of the Community Development Office, was selected to receive an Equal Justice Medal on behalf of Legal Services of New Jersey and the New Jersey Legal Services System. Kim was recognized as “a Significant Contributor of service to clients of Legal Services, specifically those referred by Legal Services of Northwest Jersey” (Dawn K. Miller, Esq., President of Legal Services of New Jersey).

“It’s a well-deserved and wonderful acknowledgement of [Kim’s] work – I can think of few honors that mean more in this vineyard than one for Equal Justice!” – Mike Frost, Human Services Director

Please join us in congratulating Kim on this very significant award!

 CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

FREE HOUSING COUNSELING

FORECLOSURE COUNSELING:  If you are a Somerset County homeowner struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments, please don’t wait and contact a CJHRC Counselor to learn what options are available to you.  Homeowners will work one-on-one with a CJHRC counselor who can provide option(s) for their situation. Call 908-446-0036 to speak with a CJHRC Counselor.

FINANCIAL LITERACY WEBINAR:  Are you struggling to make ends meet each month?  If you said yes, you are not alone; 64% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.  With the cost of basic necessities like housing, food, gas, utilities, etc. increasing drastically, many NJ residents are challenged to meet their obligations and do not know what to do. Consider attending this FREE webinar to learn why budgeting and tracking expenses really helps, why knowing about debt to income ratio is important and how to calculate yours, how those with high credit scores are still denied loans or apartments, resources and more.    Somerset County residents will also learn about CJHRC’s unique Savings Match Program where you can attain a grant of $900 towards a financial goal while getting free monthly counseling.   Click below to register for this beneficial webinar

Financial Literacy Webinar

October 18, 2023      6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Click here to register

HOMEBUYER EDUCATION – CERTIFICATE CLASS – Last one for 2023!  Buying a home is extremely competitive right now.   By attending both webinar sessions you will Learn the purchasing process.  Expert speakers will present topics covering Money Management, Credit, Obtaining a Mortgage, Homeowner’s Insurance, How a Realtor Can Help, the Importance of Retaining a Real Estate Attorney and What They Do in the Process, How the State of NJ Affordable Housing Program works, Down Payment/Closing Costs Grants, and so much more.  After all required paperwork is completed, you can receive a certificate of completion which is good for 1 year.  Having a certificate is often required to get below rate mortgage products and/or grants.  Click below to register (you MUST attend both days).  CJHRC also offers FREE individual or an online program if these dates are not convenient.  Contact a Counselor at 908-446-0036 to learn more.

November 14, 2023 & November 16, 2023

5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

(must register & attend both days)

Click here to register

CJHRC is a non-profit that has been helping the community for over 36 years and never charges clients a fee.  Ccounseling services offered include: financial literacy, pre- and post-purchase, rental, mortgage default/foreclosure, Fair Housing issues/questions and homeless counseling.  Contact a CJHRC Counselor at 908-446-0036 or visit our website at www.cjhrc.org to view resources.  Appointments are required to meet in person with CJHRC staff.

County Accepting Nominations for ‘Disability Advocates Awards’

Application Deadline Is Oct. 3

Nominators can obtain applications online.

The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is accepting nominations for its 2023 Disability Advocates Awards. Winners will be honored at the Somerset County Board of Commissioners meeting in Somerville on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Guidelines
Nominees must be individuals, organizations or businesses in Somerset County that provide exemplary support for people with disabilities through advocacy by providing services that foster inclusion, independence and empowerment. Previous winners and Somerset County employees are not eligible to apply.

Nomination Forms
Forms must have all of the necessary details including the name and contact information of the nominator and the nominee.

To obtain a nomination form, click here or call 908-704-6334. Individuals with hearing impairment can call the Telecommunications Relay Services by dialing 711. For more information about accessing this service, click here.

Submit nomination forms to Sandra Avellan at DisabilityServices@co.somerset.nj.us or fax to 908-595-0194. Submissions can also be sent via mail to: Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services, Attention: Sandra Avellan, P.O. Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876.

About the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services
The Office on Aging and Disability Services is a local agency that ensures seniors (60+), adults with physical disabilities (18+) and their caregivers have easy access to information, long-term services and support.

October 5th is National Depression Screening Day:  Raise Awareness

Submitted by Elisa LaPietra, PhD, LSW, CADC, Richard Hall Community Health & Wellness Center

Our mental health affects all areas of our lives and having good mental health is important for our overall well-being. Think about how you feel when you describe yourself as having an “off” day. What is your mood like? Are you able to think clearly and concentrate? How do you feel physically? How do you interact with others and function at work, home, or school? Imagine struggling with your mental health every day, experiencing ongoing mental and emotional pain that impacts every area of your life. Depression is a mental health disorder that affects our emotions, thoughts, physical health, and daily functioning. Many people think of depression as ongoing sadness and do not understand the depth of its impact. National Depression Screening Day is October 5th. The purpose of this day is to increase awareness of the symptoms of depression, decrease the associated stigma, encourage people to be screened and to reach out for treatment if needed.

Mental health disorders are more common in the population than many of us realize. Currently 1 out of every 5 people in the United States is living with a mental health condition, or approximately 53 million people. Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health problems, with at least 21 million people suffering from major depression (CDC, 2023). Examples of symptoms of depression include persistent sadness or anxiety, feeling hopeless, irritable, worthless, decreased interest in activities, decreased energy, trouble concentrating, sleep issues, unintended weight changes, physical symptoms, and thoughts of death or suicide. There are also different types of depression, such as major depression that has severe symptoms lasting at least two weeks, and a persistent depressive disorder with less severe symptoms lasting at least 2 years. For women, depression can occur during (perinatal) or after (postpartum) pregnancy. Other people experience seasonal affective disorder, depression that occurs as the seasons change from late fall or early winter until spring or summer. While less common, additional depressive disorders have severe symptoms of hallucinations, fixed beliefs, or periods of mania (NIMH, 2021).

With the pervasive impact of depression and other mental health disorders on people’s lives, it may be surprising to learn that only half of the people diagnosed with a mental health disorder are receiving treatment. Stigma related to having a mental health condition is considered one of the primary reasons people do not pursue treatment. Stigma is caused by a lack of understanding and fear. Examples of stigma related to depression include being viewed as weak, incompetent, and somehow to blame for the disorder. Additionally, being violent, unpredictable, and dangerous are common stigmas associated with mental health disorders. People with depression and other disorders internalize stigma from others and it becomes a source of shame. This shame decreases the likelihood of seeking help, connecting with others, and developing self-efficacy. Additionally, stigma leads to discrimination, such as not getting hired for a job, not being accepted for housing, and differences in access to care (Borenstein, 2020).

There are several ways we can help increase awareness about depression on National Depression Screening Day and every day. Increasing knowledge of depression, such as its prevalence, related symptoms, and available treatment can help to decrease the associated stigma and increase acceptance of depression as an illness rather than a weakness. In addition, speaking openly about depression and listening to personal experiences can help people feel less alone and more accepted (CDC, 2023). Advocacy organizations, such as NAMI and Mental Health America, also help to increase awareness of depression and related resources through education, shared experience, and support. These groups work toward increased capacity and access to care for people with depression and other disorders. Think about what you can do to increase awareness of the impact of depression and reduce the related stigma on National Depression Screening Day.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, reach out for help. Mental health treatment facilities and most primary care offices offer screening for depression. Screenings are also available online and used to determine if further assessment is needed. See below for specific resources.

• Online Depression Screening: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/
• Contact your Primary Care Physician for screening
• Contact the Access Center at Richard Hall Community Health & Wellness Center 908-253-3165
• More information on depression and other disorders: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications
• Support groups: DBSA, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, https://www.dbsalliance.org/
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988, includes a chat option
• Advocacy, Support, Resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org); Mental Health America (https://www.mhanational.org/)

References

Borenstein, Jeffrey (2020, August). Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with mental illness. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, April). About mental health. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

National Institute of Mental Health (2021). Depression (NIH Publication No. 21-MH-8079). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, substance use or gambling challenges, please call our ACCESS Center at 908-253-3165. If this is a psychiatric emergency call Bridgeway PESS at 908-527-4100 OR

CALL the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to talk to a counselor 24/7/365

Mark Your Calendars: Preventing Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-based Bullying Virtual Symposium

By Gayle Allen, MA, Senior Program Coordinator, Office of Juvenile Institutional Services

Every year, the month of October is designated as Youth Justice Action Month, or YJAM. The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, along with the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission and other state government agencies and advocacy groups nationwide, organize events and online activities to raise awareness and inspire action on behalf of young people impacted by the justice system.

Virtual events are open to all, and registration information is below.

2023 Youth Justice Action Month Kickoff Webinar

Event Dates October 3, 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern

Location Online

During the webinar, Liz Ryan, OJJDP Administrator, and other presenters will highlight Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), discuss the recently released YJAM toolkit, and provide overviews of Coalition for Juvenile Justice's (CJJ) Emerging Leaders Committee.

Participating Speakers:

Administrator Ryan

Tracey Tucker, Co-Executive Director, National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) 

Alani Rouse, NJJN Youth Program Organizer

An Emerging Leaders Committee Member, CJJ

Register for the Kickoff Webinar here: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/webappng/sites/ojpmeetings/meeting/register/d1a69815a49f4d1ea06eed147c3f4b06?ticket=4832534b00000004ece208926801c1dd62e6ac689840d10ec18dbd7c5222c98249ed3d9bdf92c0cf&timestamp=1695298141544&RGID=r81e8ce7d14328d6f52de6496e155a91f

Preventing Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-based Bullying Virtual Symposium

Event Dates October 17, 2023, 12:00 pm – October 18, 2023, 5:00 pm Eastern

Location Online

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will host its second Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Virtual Symposium on October 17-18, 2023. The symposium coincides with Bullying Prevention Month and will focus on how to prevent extremist hate groups from radicalizing youth and provide bullying prevention strategies for youth. Both sessions will take place from 12 p.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET.

Topics discussed in this two-day event will include:

• Identity-based bullying
• Youth hate crimes hate groups
• Understanding targeted violence
• Identifying and confronting religious-based hate and identity-based bullying
• Preventing cyberbullying, extremism, radicalization, and cyberhate
• Research review, and more.

Day 1 Sessions:

• Research and Trends: Identity-Based Bullying, Youth Hate Crimes, and Hate Groups Two Years Later
• Understanding the Nexus of Hate and Targeted Violence
• It Ends With Me: Identifying and Confronting Religious-Based Hate and Identity-Based Bullying: Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Day 2 Sessions:

• Equipping Communities to Support Vulnerable Populations: Strategies and Tools
• What is Happening to Our Kids Online? Preventing Cyberbullying, Extremism, Radicalization, and Cyberhate
• Raising Your Voice for Good: Youth Against Bullying and Hate

Register for Preventing Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-based Bullying Virtual Symposium here: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/webappng/sites/ojpmeetings/webinar/webinarSeries/register/ac686f4f67c24ca8a5199b5cee775cae

Become a New Jersey Coalition for Addiction Recovery Support (NJ-CARS) member! NJ-CARS provides an inclusive platform to celebrate the hope of recovery, promote the value of recovery, and an individual’s lived experience. They also incorporate and strengthen recovery support services across the continuum of care for challenges pertaining to substance use throughout New Jersey. NJ-CARS has announced a new initiative called The Recovery Management Check Up which looks to build Recovery Capital with individuals impacted by substance use disorder in the Central and Southern regions of New Jersey. To learn more, please contact Paul Weiner at pweiner@nj-cars.org or Office: 732-381-4100, ext. 405.

4-H

The Somerset County 4-H Association Presents: 4-H Trunk or Treat, October 20th 6:00-7:30pm

Attention all witches, ghouls, and goblins! Jump on your broomsticks and join the Somerset County 4-H Association for the Somerset County 4-H Trunk or Treat. There will be activities, games, and of course...CANDY! 

So get dressed up in your scariest, funniest, or cutest costume. Come have some Halloween fun with Somerset County 4-H!

FREE EVENT, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Address: 310 Milltown Rd, Bridgewater, NJ

Agriculture & Resources Department

                The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County Native Plant Team has partnered with the Somerset County Park Commission to bring engaging and informative educational material to visitors of Washington Valley Park. Over the past few months, the Native Plant Team has identified, researched, photographed, and cataloged a wide array of native plants and information about them into educational publications that can be found at the Washington Valley Park kiosk, or on the Park Commission’s website at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/4fufzj3c

We would like to recognize the Native Plant Team for all their hard work on this project, and we are looking forward to more collaborations between the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County and the Somerset County Park Commission in the future.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County and Somerset County Family and Community Health Sciences hosted the graduation of the second and third cohort of the New Jersey Empower to Prevent program at the end of last month. The program, which is part of the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, focuses on modest weight loss, healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction, and healthy coping for individuals with prediabetes, or those who are at risk for developing diabetes. This effort is spearheaded by Somerset County’s FCHS Educator Shailja Mathur M.S., M.Ed., RDN, Mikaela Kane, Somerset County FCHS Program Coordinator, and Sandra Grenci, FCHS Educator for Hunterdon County.

For more information on the New Jersey Empower to Prevent Program, or for eligibility information, please contact Mikaela Kane at kanem@co.somerset.nj.us.

This program has been graciously funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Health.

• Tune in to the Facebook Live videos from Somerset County Family & Community Health Sciences (RCE) this October! By doing so, you can earn up to 5 LiveWell points (Metric 14)! Be sure to check out https://www.facebook.com/SCNJFCHS/ for updates and videos!

Relationship Between Lack of Public Transportation and Poor Mental/Physical Health

Submitted by Ihinosen Akhagba, MSW Intern, Office of Operations & Planning (Human Services) 

Intro:

Growing up in the Bronx, public transportation was a way of life for me. Similar to many other children, I would take a bus and train (actually 2 trains) back and forth to school up until I moved to Franklin Township. I was in for a shock when I learned that public transportation was practically non-existent. Similar to much of the U.S, I had to learn to grow accustomed to relying on a car as my main mode of transportation.

It’s been about ten years since I moved to Franklin Township to live full-time, and the transportation barrier has seemed to grow rather than shrink. As someone who until recently did not own a car, I was very aware of how difficult it is to navigate throughout the county without reliable transportation, and there have been many times I wish there was a bus or a train I can take instead. When I think about this, I also think about how difficult it would be for Somerset County residents to navigate, including how difficult it would be for them to find a job or find housing if they do not have a car to get to these places.

Public Transportation and our Health:

There is an often overlooked relationship between access to transportation and our physical and mental health. However, the relationship is very clear and needs to be explored more. “Research suggests that an estimated 20 percent of a person’s health can be attributed to clinical care, whereas an estimated 30 percent can be attributed to health behaviors such as diet and exercise, and another 10 percent to the physical environment”.

“The remaining 40 percent is related to social and economic factors such as education, employment, and income. Transportation is a component of the built environment, with major impacts on public health and health equity” (Health Affairs, 2021). Transportation policies, planning efforts, and infrastructure investments have historically emphasized roads over public transportation, contributing to health hazards and segregating communities. This is very evident when we look at more suburban/rural areas of the country that are very car dependent, leaving those without the means of driving or obtaining a vehicle with little to no options. Also, access to public transportation may also reduce health disparities and promote health equity by increasing access to healthier food options, medical care, vital services, and employment for communities that do not have equal access to these fundamental daily necessities. However, only about 18 percent of public transportation funding comes from the federal government through a combination of legislation and federal grants based primarily on national fuel taxes. The remaining funding comes from state and local governments through legislative actions (motor vehicle fuel taxes, state transportation funds, general funds, and automobile-related fees or taxes) and local taxes, fees, and bonds. More funding needs to be put towards public transportation efforts in the suburban and rural areas in order to expand public transportation. Inadequate public transportation has also been recognized as a barrier to social participation, especially for older adults in rural communities and with mobility issues. Older adults will not benefit from opportunities to engage with their community and maintain social networks if they are unable to access them.

Somerset County & Public Transportation

Somerset County does offer a County Shuttle Service with dedicated times and stops throughout all the municipalities in the county for residents. As someone who lives in Franklin Township where the shuttle has multiple stops, I often have trouble noticing them at all. I see the shuttles the most frequently when I am in Somerville for my field placement, most likely due to the more walkable nature of the municipality. Paratransit Services which are responsible for transportation services for senior citizens are also available but limited as well. The effect of the limited public transportation throughout the county is most felt by its residents with the most need. For example, when we look at the Red Rock Preserve where its residents are primarily low-income, many have expressed that transportation as a major barrier. The closest supermarket is miles away in an unwalkable area of Branchburg, if you do not have a car, it is practically impossible to get there. The closest bus/train stop is miles away walking and for residents with mobility issues, they are left basically isolated in the preserve. Young children who also live in the preserve who wish to access recreational facilities such as parks, playgrounds, and libraries have trouble doing so due to the isolated location and lack of transportation. If their caregivers do not/can not drive which is the case for many, they too are also stranded. This can contribute to social isolation, as mentioned before, and from the Surgeon General’s report on the physical and mental impact of loneliness, it is something that should be addressed with urgency.

In the last Continuum of Care meeting, a guest speaker named Marie also expressed her frustration with the lack of public transportation throughout both Somerset and Middlesex counties. Finding herself with no job or no place to stay,  Marie sought assistance from the Middlesex County Social Services. However, since she did not have a car and there is very limited public transportation, Marie was responsible for her own transportation to get the services she needed, paying for Ubers with the small amount of savings that she still had. As the population of Somerset County continues to grow and change, the limited transportation services are going to continue to be a barrier for many, and hopefully as time goes on, we can work to improve it, so it becomes more accessible for many more residents.  Improving transportation access impacts whole community health, leading to better physical, mental, financial, social and safety outcomes for all.

Diversity Festival 2023

Submitted by Kim Cowart, Director of the Office of Community Development

Somerset County welcomes, and is home to, a diverse population of promising individuals from around the world.    Diversity is one of the county’s greatest assets and has helped form unique and vibrant communities that make us proud and hopeful about the future.  To celebrate October as Global Diversity Awareness month, the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners will host the fifth annual Diversity Festival on October 15, 2023 from 12-4 pm on Main and Grove Streets in downtown Somerville.  The Diversity Festival is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate residents from all backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities and have a great day in downtown Somerville all at the same time! 

This year’s festival offers something for everyone.  There will be two stages with performers that include two dance groups and five concerts.  Music performers include Forbidden Tropics, an Afro-Peruvian Jazz band; Vocal Synergy, a community-based,  inclusive acapella group; Summer Wind Jazz Band, a Chinese Jazz fusion band with musicians and vocalists; a Chinese zither and violin performance; and Canabilla’s Group K’ndela, a high energy salsa band.  Dance performers include Dance X Studio, a Bollywood-style dance troupe and Qing Yanq Dance Group, a Chinese folk dance troupe.  This year the  KidZone, where activities for our youngest guests will be concentrated, will feature mini-magic shows at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. 

We’ve also added a starter stage for our youngest performers to showcase their talent, and this year’s inaugural performance will be a traditional Sikhi-inspired dance performance by students of the Kaur and Singh Academy at 2:10.  There will also be two Bounce Houses, a face painter, a balloon artist, and a caricature artist in addition to all the games and activities we’ve planned.  And best of all- there is no charge for any of this.  All we want is for you to come with an open mind and enjoy a beautiful fall day with your neighbors.  Be sure to bring a blanket or a chair!   We’ll have a pinata, a Mexican-themed bingo game and a Courageous Conversation workshop, courtesy of the Greater Somerset YMCA. 

To make the day even more special, we’ve worked with the Somerset County Business Partnership to solicit prizes from their members and will have drawings throughout the day.  Prizes include: $100 gift card to any shop in Bridgewater Commons, tickets to the planetarium at RVCC, tickets to the RVCC theatre, tickets to a Patriots game, a $30 gift certificate to BAM Desserts and a gift pack to Brook Arts Center.  There will also be at least thirty community groups and county government organizations present to share information about various cultures, ethnicities and underrepresented groups.  Bring your appetite too because  you will be able to buy food from a Mexican, Polish, or dessert-themed food truck, and some Main Street restaurants will offer menu specials.  Come for lunch and stay for dinner! 

As the festival theme says: Somerset County- Everyone Belongs Here!  That includes YOU, so please join us; it won’t be the same without you.  If you would like more information about the Diversity Festival, please contact Kimberly Cowart at cowart@co.somerset.nj.us.

For more details about the festival, visit: 2023 Somerset County Diversity Festival | Somerset County

Joint Council Meeting 2023

On Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, the Office of Operations and Planning hosted the Joint Council and Board Meeting. This years theme was "No Man is an Island: Individual & Community Response to the Loneliness Epidemic". The keynote speakers were Dr. Alison Thomas-Cottingham, presenting on 'The Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Cognitive, Social and Physical Well-Being', and Dr. Robert Eilers, presenting on 'How Should We Respond to Increasing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Our Society'.

The event was well-attended by council and board members as well as community agency partners and fostered rich discussions on how we, together, can create better programs and efforts to better serve our Somerset County Community.