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June 2015
Mens Health Month
July 2015
Juvenile Arthritis
Awareness Month
AUGUST 2015
The Bessie Mae Women and
Family Health Center
220 So. Harrison St, East Orange, NJ 07018
973-766-1303 (phone)/973-677-7050 (fax)

Children's Eye Health & Safety Month

National Breastfeeding Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Health Center Week
(2nd week of August)

www.bessiemaehc.weebly.com

Happy Fathers Day!

A true father is always going to be there for no matter what! He is there to spill tears of happiness when his eyes fall upon
his infant child and he is there with his arms open ready to catch her when she takes her very first steps. A true father is
there to teach his children, at a young age, even though they might not understand half of it. And he is there to help colornot outside- but inside the lines. He is there to hug, embrace and encourage his children in their very time of need. A true
father would help his children find out who they want to be in life by given them the tools and the skills that are needed in
life. A true family would run into your room when you having a hard time sleeping. He would read you a good book and tell
you that he love you than put you to bed. Than pray over you!

About Moderately to Severely

Active Juvenile Idiopathic
Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of
arthritis in children. JIA is defined as persistent arthritis in one or
more joints that begins before age 16 and lasts at least 6 weeks.
Some children have more than 5 affected joints. These children are said to have poly-articular JIA.
What causes JIA? Although the exact cause of JIA is still unclear, juvenile idiopathic arthritis is believed to be a disease
of the immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and certain diseases. In JIA, the body's
immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. It's unknown why this happens, but both heredity and environment seem
to play a role. It is believed that, among many changes in the immune system, increased levels of a protein called tumor
necrosis factor (TNF) play a role in the inflammation associated with JIA. Knowing how JIA develops can help you
understand how some treatments.
Symptoms of JIA
Unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis affects large joints like knees, wrists, and ankles more than
small joints. However, the hands and feet may also be affected. Not all children will have all symptoms. The most
common symptoms include:
joint warmth or tenderness
pain or stiffness when moving joints
limited range of motion
stiffness after sleep or rest, and
swelling in the joints
Treating JIA
If juvenile idiopathic arthritis is not treated properly, it can affect a child's growth and development. Treatment often begins
with over-the-counter drugs and prescription pain relievers. Your doctor may want to try other medications, such
as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (non-biologic and biologic DMARDs). For more information you can go to:
http://www.enbrel.com/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis.

NATIONAL HEALTH AWARENESS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2015

Cataract Awareness Month
Men's Health Month
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
National Aphasia Awareness Month
National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month
National Safety Month
National Scleroderma Awareness Month
National Cancer Survivors Day June 7th
National Mens Health Week June 15-21st
National World Sickle Cell Day June 19th
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 21-27th
NATIONAL HEALTH AWARENESS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2015
Cord Blood Awareness Month
International Group B Strep Throat Awareness Month
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
NATIONAL HEALTH AWARENESS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2015

Children's Eye Health & Safety Month

National Breastfeeding Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

National Health Center Week (2nd week of August)

June is National Myasthenia Gravis

Awareness Month
Help us continue to unite for a cure! You can now downloaded the 2014 June Awareness poster to share with your
Chapter and community.
Download MGFA's Awareness poster to use year-round.
During the month of June, MGFAs official MG Awareness Month, the national office, as well as chapters and individuals
throughout the country, is involved in a variety of activities to promote awareness. These activities include obtaining
proclamations from local and state officials, providing information about MG
to the media, holding MG awareness events, disseminating information
via social networks, and distributing MGFAs United For A Cure. A World
Without MG June Awareness Month poster. Several states and cities,
including New York, Massachusetts, Nevada and most recently
Connecticut, have issued proclamations, recognizing the month of June
as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month!
There is a tremendous amount of ongoing MG awareness nationally and
internationally, and several exciting things happening to further promote
the mission of the MGFA to finding a cure for myasthenia gravis,
improving treatment options, and providing information and support to
people with myasthenia gravis through research educate, community
programs, and advocacy:

The MG Patient Registry launched last spring continues to grow with

over 2,000 individuals registered to date, MyMG phone app has been
downloaded by over 3,000 individuals, has been translated into Japanese
and is being translated in to several other languages making it truly
international in its scope.

The MGFA is excited and

proud to have received The
Child
Neurology Foundations
Advocacy Award for 2013.

The MG Walk, a key

component of MGFAs
awareness and fundraising
programs, continues to grow
each year and is generating greater awareness about MG on the part of
the general public while raising money to fund research initiatives, develop
educational materials and programs. The Walks have raised close to $2
million in the first three years.

Two MGFA chapters have made significant gifts in support of MGFAs

research initiatives: The Garden State New Chapter, $100,000, and the
Georgia Chapter, $10,000.

The MGFA just concluded a very successful National Conference on

April 17-18, 2014, in Philadelphia, PA. There was a tremendous amount of
enthusiasm, research presented and ideas explored to better serve the MG
community.
- See more at:

http://www.myasthenia.org/AboutMGFA/MGFANews.aspx#sthash.XGxSHdCe.dpuf

Stopping Smoking May Lower Risk of

Cataracts
January 2014 Researchers in Sweden have released findings from a study of smokers that shows decreased levels of
smoking may lower cataract risk.
Researchers followed nearly 45,000 Swedish men and found a
gradual drop in cataract risk among former smokers: 20 years after
quitting, their risk had fallen by about half.
The researchers found that smokers of more than 15 cigarettes a day
had a 42 percent increased risk of cataract extraction compared with
men who had never smoked. They also found that men who had
smoked an average of more than 15 cigarettes a day but had stopped
smoking more than 20 years earlier had a 21 percent increased risk.
For men who had been lighter smokers, the increased risk of cataract
fell more quickly after quitting, but never reached the level of those
who had never smoked.
The researchers also published a study in 2005 detailing the
relationship between smoking cessation and cataract risk in women.
Women who smoked six to 10 cigarettes a day but had ceased smoking
10 years earlier, and women who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day but had ceased smoking 20 years earlier, were
found to have a relative risk of cataracts not significantly different from women who had never smoked.
But for women who smoked more, it took 20 years before cataract risk was no longer greater than for women who had
never smoked, the study concluded.

Cataract Surgery Patients Live Longer

November 2013 New research from Australia has confirmed that there is a 40 percent lower long-term mortality risk in
people who have had cataract surgery.
Correction of cataract-related vision loss may increase optimism and
emotional well-being, and this may result in a longer life span.
The research used data gathered in the Blue Mountains Eye Study,
which examined vision and common eye diseases in an older Australian
population.
The study compared people over age 49 who had cataract-related
vision loss and underwent cataract surgery to correct this with those
similarly aged who had the same type of vision loss but did not have the
surgery.
Adjustments were made for age and gender, as well as a number of
mortality risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking,
heart disease and body mass index.
Previous studies have shown that older persons with cataract-related
visual impairment likely have a greater mortality risk than their peers
who have normal vision and that cataract surgery might reduce that
risk.
While the association between correction of cataract-related vision problems and reduced mortality risk is not clearly
understood, possible factors may include improvements in physical and emotional well-being, optimism and greater
confidence associated with independent after vision improvement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

973-766-1303

Aspheric IOLs Often Provide Better Contrast

Sensitivity Than Spherical IOLs, Study Finds
July 2013 Aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted during cataract surgery often provide better contrast sensitivity
than standard spherical IOLs, especially in dim light, according to an analysis of multiple clinical trials that was performed
by researchers in Germany.
During cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens of
the eye is replaced with an artificial implantable lens.
Traditional IOLs significantly improve vision, but do not
correct spherical, an optical imperfection that can
reduce image quality and cause increased glare and
halos.
Aspheric IOLs are designed to reduce spherical
aberration and provide superior quality of vision. They
accomplish this by changing in curvature slightly from
the center of the lens to the periphery to more closely
mimic the optics of the human crystalline lens.

In the study, the investigators searched international

peer-reviewed literature for studies that compared
visual outcomes after cataract surgery for both types of
IOLs.
Post-surgical visual outcomes evaluated included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity and subjective
perception of vision quality.
Forty-three studies were included in the analysis, comprising 2,076 eyes implanted with aspheric IOLs and 2,034 eyes
implanted with spherical IOLs.
Pooled results of the studies revealed aspheric IOLs provided better contrast sensitivity than spherical IOLs, especially
under dim light. But there was no clinically significant difference in BCVA between aspheric and spherical IOLs, and
questionnaires of patients' subjective perception of their vision quality after cataract surgery revealed no significant
advantage for either type of IOL.
The study was published online by the journal Ophthalmology in June.

BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

UPCOMING
EVENTS
PAGES 7-13 AND PAGES 15-20

The Bessie Mae Women and

Family Health Center
220 South Harrison Street
East Orange, N.J. 07018
is sponsoring a wellness group for people who have

TYPE 2 DIABETES
12:00-1:00 p.m.

on Saturday, August 8, 2015

Sugar Free Refreshments will be served.
Please call 973-766-1303 Monday
Friday (9:00-2:00 p.m.) to
SEATING IS LIMITED

RSVP: Ms. Octavia Foreman or

Ms. Marcine Strand
On or before 2:00 p.m.,
Friday, August 7, 2015

BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

presents a FREE session on

HIV/AIDS
On-site Rapid Testing will be available
(20 MIN RESULTS)
THE RESULTS ARE CONFIDENTAL
HIV/AIDS INFORMATION PACKETS,
PAMPHLETS,
CONDOMS & HOME KITS

WE ALSO
PROVIDE
COUNSELING
SATURDAY,
JULY 25, 2015
FROM
12PM-2PM
AT THE
BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
220 SOUTH HARRISON STREET
EAST ORANGE, NJ 07018

973-766-1303
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED!!!

The Bessie Mae Women and Family

Health Center
Located at

220 So. Harrison St., East Orange, N.J. 07018

PRESENTS A FREE CLASS FOR THE COMMUNITY

Learn the Basics of Crocheting

On Saturday, August 1, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Refreshments will be served

Please bring a
crochet needle
and a skein of yarn
Please call 973-766-1303 Monday - Friday (9:00-2:00 p.m.)
Seating is limited so please call to reserve your seat
RSVP: Ms. Octavia Foreman or Ms. Marcine Strand
On or Before or 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015

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The Bessie Mae Women and Family

Health Center
Located at

220 So. Harrison St., East Orange, N.J. 07018

Would like for you to join us at our FREE

Book Club Event
On Saturday, August 1, 2015
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Refreshments will be available

We will be discussing
the book entitled:

Your Best Life Now

By Joel Osteen
Please call 973-766-1303 Monday Friday (9:00-2:00p.m.)
Seating is limited must call to make reservation
RSVP: Ms. Octavia Foreman or Ms. Marcine Strand
Before or by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015

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The Bessie Mae Women and Family Health Center

220 South Harrison Street
East Orange, N.J. 07018
will be hosting our

FREE

Cancer Survivor
Support Group Session
from

10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

on Saturday, August 8, 2015

Guest Speaker:
Ms. Angenett Washington, Lovin-Hart, Inc.
Refreshments will be served
Call NOW to make your reservationseating is limited
973-766-1303 Monday Friday (9:00-2:00 p.m.)
also
If you are a cancer survivor and would like to share your
story, speak with Ms. Octavia Foreman or Ms. Marcine Strand
On or before 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2015

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Bessie Mae Women & Family Health Center

Presents
BBQ TIME!!!
220 South Harrison St., East Orange, NJ, 07108
Saturday, August 22, 2015
12pm-6pm

MENU
SHISHKABOBS - BEEF 2.5O
CHICKEN 1.75
BURGERS- w/ cheese 2.50
w/o cheese 2.00
HOT DOGS- 1.00
CORN ON THE COBB - 1.00
HEALTHY DRINKS
1.00
BOTTLED WATER
0.75

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER!!!

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Bessie Mae Women and Family

Health Center

Presents Our First Annual

Community Fashion
Flea Market
220 South Harrison St., East Orange, NJ, 07108
August 22, 2015 - 12pm-6pm

NEW & AND LIKE NEW CLOTHES

COATS, SANDALS, TOYS and ACCESSORIES
ALL VENDORS MUST RSVP BY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015
PLEASE CONTACT: Ms. Octavia Foreman
973-766-1303
Monday Saturday: 9am-5pm
FOOD & DRINKS WILL BE SOLD
SHISHKABOBS, BEVERAGES
HAMBURGERS, CORN ON THE COBB,
HOT DOGS AND MORE!

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Bessie Mae Women and Family Health Center

PRESENTS

Big Brother
Event
Objective: To provide young men with knowledge and understanding
of what means to come together in unity without
violence.
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2015
Time: 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Location: Bessie Mae Women and
Family Health Center
220 So. Harrison St. EO, NJ. 07018

Guest Speakers:
Mr. Dennis Porter, Chief Operating Officer of Prodigal Sons and Daughters
Ms. Asia Smith, Founder/CEO of Purple R.E.I.G.N. Social Services, Inc.

Education, Information, Food and Fun!!

Please come out and support this great event!
For more information:
contact:
Mr. James Spann,
Leadership
Coordinator
973-766-1303

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARNTERS AND SPONSORS:

New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
Jois Angels
Kingdom Church Repairer of the Breach Community Fellowship
Victory Cathedral Provision of Promise Ministries
CCIN (Cornelius Connection International Network)
WIC (Women, Infant & Children)
Elegance Plan, LLC
Lovin-Hart
Big Als Professional Multi Cleaning Services
NJCEED S.A.V.E. Womens Program at Rutgers Newark
Bio-Reference
Washington Shop Pharmacy
Verizon Wireless
Shop Rite Supermarket (Wake Farm)
Purple R.E.I.G.N. Social Services, Inc.
The Wellness Center of America
The Mattie Berry Family
The Unity Way of Essex and West Hudson
The Urban League of Essex
WOCAWomen of Color Association
Spread The Purple Agency
Coach Caryl On Call
Urban Life Counseling Center, Inc.
Open Arms Adoption Agency
St. Barnabas Hospital ER Department
New Jersey Citizens Action
Rutgers/RWJ Medical School: HIV C&T
Helms Medical Services
LabCorp
Accu Reference Laboratory Services
Health Mart, Inc.
Essex County Family Justice Center
National Career Institute
Drake College of Business
Anthems Business Institute
Community Food Bank of NJ
March of Dimes
Orange ACA Navigator Project
Community Science Group
Prodigal Sons and Daughters
Stop and Shop Supermarket
Applebees Restaurant
Staples
Boston Market
The Childrens Place
Kings Supermarket
Scotts Flowers
______________________________________
June - July 2015 E-Newsletter created & designed by: Ms. Tiesha Rogers

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Bessie Mae Women

and Family Health
Center
Partners with The
March of Dimes

Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait:

Becoming A Mom Program
SIGN UP NOW!!!
Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait (HBWW) is a preterm birth prevention initiative,
with a focus on preventable late preterm birth. Through our partnership with the
March of Dimes, Healthy Babies Worth the Wait,
Becoming A Mom Program, we will be providing
education for pregnant patients in the greater
community on the preterm birth, risk factors and
strategies for reducing risk.
Our goal, along with the March of Dimes-HBWW, is
to help
reduce preterm birth rates over a period of time. Interventions include: improving
access to referral services, case management, Centering Pregnancy, improved cultural
competence, intimate partner violence screening, increasing folic acid, infection diagnosis
and treatment, improving nutrition, identifying and treating periodontal disease,
preconception and inter-conception care, eliminating elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks,
reducing stress, and substance abuse treatment and counseling.
For more information and to learn more
about our Becoming A Mom Program, visit
our web site:
www.bessiemaewhc.weebly.com or
contact our BAM Program Facilitator,
Ms. Ricks at 973-766-1303

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AT THE
BESSIE MAE WOMEN
AND FAMILY HEALH
CENTER
220 SOUTH HARRISON STREET,
EAST ORANGE, NJ 07018

DATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015

TIME: 12:00- 2:00PM
If you are an expecting mother 6-9 months pregnant and would like for us to
make you one of our Community Baby Shower Mothers,

Call right now (973) 766-1303

Sponsors: Walmart, Costcos, Kings Supermarket, Gerber Donation Committee , Stop
and Shop, Children's Place , Boston Market, Flax Furniture , Urban League of Essex
County, Village Supermarket, Shoprite of East Orange , Toys R Us, local stores, and

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Pastor Blanche Ringgold of Refreshing Spring, Wilmington , DE
Kelly Ringgold , College Counselor, University of Delaware
Kimberly Smith-Tiller, Motivational Speaker

FOOD AND FUN.......for everyone Raffles

Each guest that brings a diaper
gets one (1) free raffle ticket (1 ticket per diaper)

EVENT COORDINATOR: Ms. Theresa Mason

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Josephs Storehouse at Victory Cathedral

301 Tucker Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Pastor Joseph Leonard, Senior Pastor &
Pastor Sherri D. Leonard, First Lady

Families In Transition
Support Group
Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 11:00- 12:00 pm
At the

The Bessie Mae Women

and Family Health
Center
220 So. Harrison Street
East Orange, NJ 07018
973-766-1303 or 908-686-3333
Light Refreshments served
Speaker: Min. Stephanie Graham, Program Director
Reserve Your Seat Today!
Hosted by: Josephs Storehouse
http://jstorehouse.weebly.com
stephanie.graham@lordoftheharvest.info

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Back to School Giveaway!!

Saturday, August 22, 2015
9:00-12:00 noon

Contact Person:
Ms. Octavia Foreman
Outreach Coordinator
973-766-1303
220 So. Harrison St., EO, NJ 07018

The Josephs
Storehouse
will be
hosting a
Back to
School
Giveaway
at the
Bessie Mae
Women
Family
Health
Center!!
SIGN UP
NOW

Sr. Apostle Joseph Leonard and First Lady Sherri Leonard

Hosted By: Josephs Storehouse at Victory Cathedral
301 Tucker Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
908-686-3333 / https://jstorehouse.weebly.com
Stephanie.graham@lordoftheharvest.info

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Establishing a sense of belonging

and a spirit of accountability
Universal Bible Institute
Dean Janis Boone
In collaboration with
Strength For The Journey
Ministries
And
Bessie Mae Women & Family Health
Center
proudly present the

First Annual

Sonship Community
Service
Award Ceremony
At the
Christian Pentecostal Church of Christ,
971 Clinton Avenue,
Irvington, New Jersey 07111

Saturday, August 29, 2015

2:00 p.m. - Formal Attire
2015

Admission: FREE
But must RSVP to receive your complimentary
invitation 973-766-1303

2015

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BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

Your Journey To Better Health

220 South Harrison Street
East Orange, New Jersey 07018
Monday Friday: 9:00-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00-1:00 p.m.
973-766-1303 phone
973-677-7050 fax
www.bessiemaehc.weebly.com

Our Services Include: Primary care for men,

women and children; obstetrics/gynecology;
chiropractic services; mental and behavioral
health; breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal
screenings; family planning; HIV Counseling &
Testing; STD Screenings and more.
Our Programs:
Mattie Berry Education and Career Development Program
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocacy
Cancer Survivor Group Sessions
Weight Management Program
Pastoral Care Counseling
Social Services (rental, mortgage, car, tuition, child care)
Parenting and Co-Parenting Workshops
Becoming A Mom Workshops
HIV Counseling and Testing Program
ACA Healthcare Enrollment Education and Assistance

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SPECIAL EVENTS, TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS

SPONSORED BY THE
BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
PHOTO GALLERY

HIV / AIDS WORKSHOP (Saturday, July 25, 2015)

Presenter: Ms. Nicole Johnson

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

AWARENESS WORKSHOP SERIES
June 10 July 8, 2015
Presenters:
Esney M. Sharpe, CEO of Bessie Mae Women and Family Health Center
Asia D. Smith, CEO of Purple R.E.I.G.N. Social Service, Inc.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

AWARENESS WORKSHOP
Continued.

For more information on how you can host these

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Awareness Workshops at your facility
Call 973-766-1303 (Monday Friday 9:00-5:00 p.m.)
Ask for
Ms. Octavia Foreman, Outreach Coordinator

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Sponsored By
Apostle Bessie Davis
STRENGTH FOR THE
JOURNEY MINISTRIES
DVDs Available NOW!

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FATHERS
DAY EVENT
Saturday,
June 20, 2015
Celebrating
Our Wonderful
Fathers In The
Community

Event Organizers:
Margaline AmlicarProphete and
Precious Smith

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BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND

FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Honoring The Most Important People In Your Life

FAMILY

Sponosered by Mr. Mustafah Thomas

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BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND

FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Guest Speakers: First Lady, Pastor Sherri Leonard,
Victory Cathedral, Union, NJ and
Councilwoman Andrea McPhatter, East Orange, NJ

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Community Baby Shower

Event Coordinator:
Ms. Voneisha Miles

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BESSIE MAE WOMEN AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

Hosted
Rutgers, School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education
Protecting Yourself and Others from Financial Exploitation After A Disaster Workshop
Funded by the federal Social Services Block Grant for Super Storm Sandy

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Presenter: Mr. Larry C. Williams