New Support Services and Workshops at the Sand Hills Community Wellness Center

The Sand Hills Community Wellness Center, an outreach of the Community Presbyterian Church of the Sand Hills, opened its doors to the South Brunswick and surrounding communities on March 4, 2013, offering classes in yoga, Pilates, various holistic healing modalities (meditation, reiki, tai chi, jin shin jyutsu, and sound healing), and movement/dance (Argentine tango). Now, more than two months into operations, close to 20 classes take place on-site on any given week. Classes are open to everyone, and are led by qualified practitioners in their respective specialties. One does not need to be a member of the church to participate, and persons of all faith traditions are welcome at the Wellness Center.

The Wellness Center's mission statement is "to reach out to the community by providing programs and services that enhance the growth of mind, body and spirit."  One of the core components of our vision is to serve people for whom services are not readily available, who are under-served or overlooked.  An example of this is our chair yoga class, designed for those who have difficulties practicing yoga on the floor.  Starting this month, we are expanding our existing program offerings to include several new workshops and support services. Three of these are highlighted below.

(1) We are partnering with the Alzheimer's Association (Greater NJ Chapter) to offer a three-part series entitled "Living with Alzheimer's: For People with Alzheimer's" on Wednesdays, May 22, 29 and June 2 from 6:00-8:00 pm.  This is an interactive education series designed specifically for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, and those who support them. This program focuses on what individuals with memory loss need to know, plan, and do in order to live their best with Alzheimer's disease. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, plan ahead, and connect with others.  Although there is no charge to attend this three-session course, advance registration is required. We regret that we cannot accommodate walk-in participants in this workshop. To register, or for more information, please call Laura Hawkins, Coordinator of Early-Stage Services at the Alzheimer's Association (Greater NJ Chapter) at (973) 586-4300.

(2) On Saturday, June 1, Kerry Kay will reprise her Family Constellations Workshop from 2:30-5:30 pm.  Personal problems—financial, relationship, career, etc.—can have roots in hidden dynamics from our family systems. A family history of loss, premature death, abandonment, severe illness, unhappiness, relationship troubles, alcoholism, and addiction can, even today, affect us and those around us. In a Family Constellations workshop, participants have the opportunity to work in a safe and supportive group environment to examine the source of their difficulties, and emerge with a new way of seeing and being.

(3) The Sand Hills Community Wellness Center also offers help to students with reading difficulties. This month, we started a collaboration with teacher and reading coach Anne Koenig, who specializes in teaching students to improve their reading skills using the Wilson Reading System. For more information on this service or to contact Ms. Koenig for a consultation, please visit our website at: http://www.feedingallwhohunger.com/wilson-reading-program-for-youth-and-literacy-support.html

The above examples represent some of the new and exciting ways in which the Sand Hills Community Wellness Center is trying to fulfill its mission. Please visit the Center's website, www.feedingallwhohunger.com, for a complete list of courses and programs offered. The Wellness Center Board continues to interview practitioners and organizations who can complement current offerings. Additional new programs will be offered in the upcoming months. Special thanks to the many members of the community who have supported us and have helped to make our first two months of operation successful. The Sand Hills Community Wellness Center is located at 57 Sand Hills Rd. in Kendall Park, on the same site as the Community Presbyterian Church of the Sand Hills and Sand Hills Preschool.