December 1, 2011 Coalition for Healthy Communities held 7th annual Young Women’s Conference ‘My Journey, My Voice: Empowering Young Women’ at Crowne Plaza in Monroe township, NJ.
Coalition for Healthy Communities is an Initiative of National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County, New Jersey. It brings together professionals from multiple disciplines who have a passion for the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse problems. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) of Middlesex County, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based health organization providing prevention, education, information, and referral services to county residents, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, municipal alliances, and social service agencies.
The event, which featured interactive and educational workshops about topics relevant to the female student population, was sponsored by The Coalition for Healthy Communities, an initiative of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) of Middlesex County, Inc.
Providing health information at this event were the following organizations: NJ Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities, Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey, Al-Anon Family Groups ( hope for friends and families of alcoholics), Middlesex County Office of Public Health with information regarding Preventing Sexual Violence Through Media Literacy, Robert wood Johnson Medical School with its Rapid HIV testing team, The Medical Institute encouraging young women for Abstinence, Girls Scouts of Central & Southern NJ to inspire young women to be courageous, confidence and character, St. Peter’s University Hospital providing information on Breast cancer, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services with their Perinatal Addictions Prevention Project.
A demonstration on fetal alcohol syndrome was held by beintheknow.org. This demonstration provided knowledge on how young girls are hurting their unborn baby even before conception by indulging in binge drinking with in turn affects the ovum in a female’s body. Young Women were surprised to know this fact and discusses about how they will not indulge in binge drinking and will instead just choose a glass of wine.
Other topics included: "Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships," "Cyber bullying," "Culture and Identity," "Body Image," "Coping with Stress," "Getting the Power Back," as well as substance abuse and dealing with different moods and emotions. The students saw a presentation on internet safety and a dramatic performance about the consequences of drinking and driving.
ParamCARE Foundation provided free articles on curbing alcohol & tobacco use, incorporating a healthy nutritious diet, performing regular exercise, details on yoga practice etc. for Young women to lead a healthy disease free life. Our Nutrition Counselor answered questions that young women had regarding diet and health issues. At ParamCARE our mission is to create a community that is physically, mentally and socially healthy. Keeping this in mind, we provided articles and information to women in attendance.