"Hope sleeps in our bones like a bear waiting for spring to rise and walk."

- Marge Piercy

For many, the winter has felt long and draining. Feelings of insecurity and instability have left folks feeling unsettled, to say the least. As we transition, allow change to be made within you, too. Spring is a time of resiliency – to grow back in full bloom where the ground was once charred or frozen. As the days get longer, and the weather turns warmer, my wish for you is total rejuvenation. As flowers begin to bloom and creatures and critters begin to roam once again, may you also shed the cold, hard layers of winter, and uncover mental clarity, a clearer vision, and regain optimism for a better tomorrow. As long as there is hope, there is opportunity to fight for change. Remain kind, take care of yourself, and dig deep to uncover the roots of who you are, and who you want to be. We owe it to ourselves, and everyone else.

Angelica Sandi

4-H:

• Spring Paint & Sip

• 4-H Spring Carnival

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025

Ted Blum 4-H Center – 310 Milltown Rd, Bridgewater, NJ

Join us for the Somerset County 4-H Spring Carnival! 4-H Clubs will run activities, games, and crafts. Prizes available!

9:30am-10:30am Sensory Friendly Hour (pre registration required, CLICK HERE)

11am-3pm General Admission

FREE ADMISSION

Donations always appreciated, food available for purchase as well. This event benefits the Somerset County 4-H Association.

• TOPS Camp; registration now open

• Youth Birding

• April Wellness Wednesdays: Join us for this month’s series of FCHS Wellness Wednesday webinars! These webinars take place every Wednesday at 12:30pm. Registration is required, but is free. To see April’s webinars, please visit: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/wellness-wednesdays/
• Cooking with Herbs Workshop (flyer attached)
• NJ Empower to Prevent: the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) The NDPP is an evidence-based, lifestyle change program, shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. The year-long virtual program focuses on modest weight loss, healthy eating and physical activity, stress reduction, and healthy coping. Sessions are enrolling for May 2025. For more information on NJ Empower to Prevent program and eligibility for the program, contact fchs@co.somerset.nj.us

• Bring your plant questions to your library! A Rutgers Master Gardener will answer them for you. This is a walk-in program. Dates and locations are as follows: 

• Bernardsville Public Library, 4/10/25 at 2pm

Your First Orchid… Now What? – Presented by a certified American Orchid Society judge. Interesting facts about orchids, pollination, and the breadth of orchid varieties.  Stunning photos of over 30 different orchids followed by practical information on how to take care of your new orchid, which includes potting with proper soil, watering, fertilization, and the best place for it in your home.

• Check out the Duke Island Park (DIP) Native Plant brochure, with information on native plants compiled by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County Native Plant Team! This brochure can be printed out via THIS LINK and used to identify plants on your next walk through Duke Island Park this spring and summer.

Why Somerset County Needs More Affordable Housing

Submitted by the Community Development Office

There is much information and literature about the fact that Somerset County is a great place to live, work and play. Located between New York City and Philadelphia, Somerset County’s residents enjoy a beautiful landscape with easy access to several major highways and all the conveniences that come with living in a modern, fast-paced metropolitan area. In addition, because there are several well-known universities in the immediate area, the region attracts corporations and retailers who are drawn to an educated workforce here that can positively impact their bottom line. While all these factors make for a very desirable community, the unfortunate consequence is an inflationary effect on the cost of housing.

The Out of Reach 2024 Report identifies Somerset County as one of the most expensive counties in NJ, where the housing wage (the amount a household must earn per hour working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year to pay less than 30% of their income on rent) is $38.08 per hour.  This data point is called the “housing wage”.  The report goes on to mention that in NJ, one person must work 100 hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,980.  This number is even higher in Somerset County, where the FMR for the same unit is $2,276.  If you’ve spent any time looking at what it costs to rent in Somerset County recently, you already know how hard it is to find a unit at these prices.  A survey of Apartments.com listings from March 2025 found that the average rent listed for a 2-bedroom apartment in the southern portion of Somerset County is $2,831. This figure is based on listings for 228 apartments located in Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Franklin, Hillsborough, Manville, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville, and South Bound Brook.

The New Jersey True Poverty Tracker, published in September of 2022 by Legal Services of New Jersey, emphasizes that high housing costs, along with high childcare, food, transportation, and health care costs, means that many people with incomes that are significantly above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) experience the kind of depravation that is typically associated with poverty.  For example, consider a family of three, one parent and two children.  According to the FPL, this household must have an income below $20,598 to be designated as living in poverty.  However, the New Jersey True Poverty Tracker calculates the True Poverty level (defined as the lowest amount a family requires to avoid deprivation in any one critical life area) for this family in New Jersey at $70,372, which is a difference of $49,774 annually.  Because housing costs are typically the largest financial burden, half of all rental households that live with an income below the True Poverty threshold spend more than 46% of their gross income on rent.

Many of the people that we need to have in this community because of the work that they do cannot afford to live in Somerset County.  Based upon www.careeronestop.org average salaries from March 2025 for the Somerville area and budgeting 30% of income for housing costs, a.k.a. housing allowance, an Emergency Medical Technician with an annual salary of $46,540 has a housing allowance of $1,164 per month and a Childcare Worker with an annual salary of $36,060 has a housing allowance of $902 per month.  Where can they afford to live?  How about a Social Service Assistant with an annual salary of $47,060 and a housing allowance of $1,177 per month or a Home Health Aide with an annual salary of $36,520 and a housing wage of $913?  Where would they live in Somerset County?  Is it realistic to think that a person should commute from out of state?  Because this is not feasible, what actually happens is that people live from paycheck to paycheck, going without necessities like medicine and food so they can pay their rent.  In the worst-case scenario, they lose their housing and experience homelessness.  As you consider this information, think about the people in your life and how much they earn.  How challenging is it for them to find housing that is affordable?  How do you think they are managing?

Consider some of the more vulnerable within our population.  According to the National Foster Youth Institute, “The child welfare system is sometimes described as a highway to homelessness.  An estimated 20 percent of young adults who are in foster care experience homelessness the moment they’re emancipated at the age of 18.  And nationwide, 50% of the population experiencing homelessness spent time in foster care.” (https://nfyi.org/issues/homelessness/).  The Apartments.com survey referenced above found 199 listings for 1-bedroom apartments in the southern portion of Somerset County.  The average rent from the listings was $2,255 a month.  This also means there is a corresponding average security deposit of $3,383.  The combination of high rent and security deposit creates a substantial barrier for most renters, and it is even more severe for youth aging out of the foster care system, who typically have entry-level employment and a limited support system.

Thankfully, local governments, the faith community, and non-profit organizations are all working together to pool their resources and put forward solutions in the form of affordable housing, emergency assistance, rental assistance, community education, and advocacy.  Within the past year, affordable/senior housing developments have opened in Branchburg, Hillsborough and Warren.  More are being planned and developed.  Information regarding affordable developments can be found on the websites for Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (www.cjhrc.org) and Affordable Homes New Jersey (www.affordablehomesnewjersey.com).  New affordable developments are leased up quickly via fair lotteries.  Some units are made available for people experiencing homelessness.  Even with all this positive news, more is needed as evidenced by the struggles detailed in the New Jersey True Poverty Tracker.

With housing issues being so daunting, what can we do as individuals?  We can take the time to educate ourselves about who would benefit from affordable housing and then take the time to educate someone else.  We can show up at a public meeting and express support for affordable housing.  We can donate to a local organization that is trying to help individuals and families that are struggling with housing or other costs.  We can help someone that we know is struggling.  If everyone does what they can, we can make an impact.

LGBTQ+ Kids in School Environment

Submitted by Akhtar Hossain, MD., FAPA, Medical Director, RHCHWC

Sexual minority identities exist and persist throughout the lifespan. However, schools and educational systems are often hostile environments where sexual minority students feel unsafe and threatened. When compared to their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority high school students face higher levels of violence, bullying, and sexual assault.

Sexual minority youths often experience an intensification of emotional distress when the physical changes of puberty occur in opposition to the adolescent’s gender identity and sense of self. The onset of menses is unwanted and psychologically devastating for an adolescent assigned female at birth. Worsening dysphoria may manifest as depression, anxiety, poor relationships with family and peers, self-harm and suicide.

Sexual minority students struggle with cyberbullying at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. Hostile school climates have a significant negative impact on sexual minority students’ mental health and academic performance. Sexual minority students who are victimized in schools have poorer academic-related outcomes, achieve lower grade point averages, have higher absenteeism, withdraw from involvement in extracurricular activities, and are twice as likely to report not planning to pursue post-secondary education; as well as have poorer mental health outcomes (e.g., report lower self-esteem, more hopelessness, and increased rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts).

Public campaigns, commitment of national organizations and school policies affirming of sexual and gender diversity are important for the well-being of sexual minority students. Although some recent national and state policies have been put in place to protect sexual minority youth, there are still laws and policies in schools that continue to promote oppression, silence the youth and put at risk their well-being in schools.

Resources

• The Trevor Project

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/

•  GLADD

https://glaad.org/resourcelist/

•  Human Rights Campaign       

https://www.hrc.org/resources/direct-online-and-phone-support-services-for-lgbtq-youth

•  NJ Department of Children & Families

https://www.nj.gov/dcf/adolescent/lgbtqi/

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.

CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

April is National Fair Housing Month & Housing Month in Somerset County! 

April will mark the 57^th year of the passage of the Fair Housing Act.  This important legislation protects individuals and households from housing discrimination.   The Somerset County Board of Chosen Commissioners proclaims April as Housing Month in Somerset County highlighting that safe and affordable housing is a basic human need for all.  Somerset County residents are fortunate that there are programs and services to help to improve their lives and overcome hurdles.   Please click on the calendar of events/resources to see what is offered that may benefit you or others you know.   

CJHRC IS OFFERING THE FOLLOWING FREE APRIL WEBINARS

📌 Virtual Fair Housing Webinar:

April 03, 202 -- 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm

Click for details & link to register: Fair Housing Webinar

📌 Virtual Homebuyer Webinar:

April 8 & April 10, 2025 – 3:30 pm to 8:15 pm

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Click for details & registration links:  Virtual Homebuyer Webinar

📌 Virtual Renter Info & Resources:

April 29, 2024 -- 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Click for details & link to register:  Virtual Renter Info & Resources Webinar

For updates on housing announcements, resources, and more follow CJHRC on social media! Just like us on Facebook (Central Jersey Housing Resource Center) and/or follow us on Instagram (cjhrc_housing)

ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

New Approaches to the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

Submitted by Ari Venezia-Zahemski, Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center

As we enter April, which is Alcohol Awareness Month, it seems timely to use this opportunity to talk not just about the consequences resulting from Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD, but also about some more current and accessible treatments that can remove traditional barriers that have been a source of protest to those involved.

Alcohol Use Disorder is classified as low-risk, hazardous or harmful, or alcohol dependent (moderate to severe alcohol use disorder). A simple test called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) helps mental health professionals or individuals determine where the person in question might fall on the scale.  You can find the test here. Check Your Drinking

By the numbers, AUD does a lot of damage to individuals, families, and our communities:

• Excessive alcohol use is the 4th most preventable cause of death in the USA
• Just under 200,000 people a year die from causes related to alcohol
• This is a 29% increase from 2017
• Alcohol use is responsible for 4.2 million Emergency Room visits a year nationally.If you calculate by population that means we here in NJ account for quite a lot of those.Now think about how long you waited last time you went to the ER.

Most upsetting is the interrelation between AUD or excessive alcohol use and attempted or completed suicide.

• According to the CDC 21% of people who have died by suicide have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1 or more.(The legal limit to drive a car is 0.08 for comparison)
• Among people who die by suicide, Alcohol Use Disorder is the second most common mental health issue and is involved in roughly 25% of these instances.

The more current and accessible treatments are based on the idea of Harm Reduction.

Harm Reduction is defined as a compassionate and evidence-based approach on minimizing negative health, legal and social consequences of substance/alcohol use without necessarily insisting on complete abstinence. Rather than framing substance/alcohol use as a moral failing or a criminal behavior, harm reduction meets people “where they are” and prioritizes their overall well-being.

Harm Reduction was initially introduced with substances like opioids as the focus.  However, it was found that the Harm Reduction principles were also applicable to Alcohol Use Disorder, and in fact created a new entry into recovery that felt safer to many segments of the population, due the removal of the “all or nothing” idea that other approaches take.

AUD Harm Reduction incorporates 

• Safer Consumption Education
• Screening that is self-directed
• Managed Alcohol Programs that do not require abstinence
• Environmental & Community Strategies (Designated Drivers & Safe Settings)
• Integration with Community Health and Social Services (Peer Support, Linkage to Services)

These concepts have made way for Outpatient Detox Programs which overcome the objections of people not wanting to leave their home, family or job, or just having discomfort of the idea of being “locked up”.  A recent paper in the Journal of Addiction Medicine has followed a group of people who went through an Outpatient Detox/Treatment and have been monitored for 10 years, and the results were different than the usual revolving door of inpatient abstinence detox/rehab.  Success was measured as being a highly functioning adult having a job, someplace stable to live, no new criminal issues and a reasonably stable life.  The participants in the study that met the success criteria was 30%.

As we enter the Spring season and parties, picnics, proms and beach season arrive, please be aware of how many other options are available besides alcohol to serve or choose when you are enjoying the beautiful weather.  Check out these recipes for some ideas.  Mindful Mocktails and have fun!!

If you think that you or a loved one might be living with Alcohol Use Disorder or need help, you can call the following numbers. All of these numbers are free and confidential.

• SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) National 24-hour helpline at 1-800-662-HELP Available 24/7 365 days a year
• 1-800-REACHNJ – For help finding treatment services in NJ 24/7/365
• 988- Suicide/Crisis Lifeline to talk to a counselor LIVE 24/7/365
• Bridgeway Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (PESS) in Somerset County 908-527-4100 24/7/365

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.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this year's theme is Together We Act. United We Change.

Together We Act means that we work as a community to educate one another about consent and respect.

United We Change is the resulting societal attitude shift as a result of working to prevent the normalization of rape culture.

This month and always, we work to enhance our understanding of sexual abuse, violence, and assault, and how to prevent and respond to it. Our vision is a society free from sexual and domestic violence, where individuals and families thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

Safe + Sound provides counseling, an emergency safe house, legal advocacy, financial empowerment, housing support, and more to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. 

Safe + Sound Somerset helps survivors of sexual and domestic violence with compassionate, trained professional help. Assistance is offered 24 hours a day – 7 days a week – 365 days a year, confidentially and at no charge. Call or text

866-685-1122