2010-2011:

This year we have had an excellent start! There are many returning Project REACH participants, including some who have graduated to high school.  These students, who participated in REACH during the 2009-2010 school year, are currently in training to learn Problem-Based approach and have become mentors to their younger peers. Working with the same students for consecutive years has great benefits and it really shows in the enthusiam and confidence of the returning ECMS participants.  Also, the success of last year's program has spread throughout the school helping our class size nearly double this year!  Students are progressing through cases until the end of the year.  January will be the start of the community service projects; please check back for updates!

2009-2010 Recap:

The pilot year for Project REACH concluded ceremoniously with a special event to recognize the students' work through out the year.  It was held at UMDNJ-SOM in Stratford, NJ, and was attended by East Camden Middle School students, teachers, and parents, as well as UMDNJ-SOM faculty and staff.  As part of this Closing Ceremony, Project REACH mentors presented on each of the community outreach projects organized by the students from East Camden Middle School (ECMS).  The students put together a Health Day Block Party held at ECMS on April 17, 2010.

More on the Health Fair...The event kicked off with a track race led by Roney and Yaritza, two students interested in promoting smoking awareness. Following the race, the remainder of the REACH students presented their projects at different booths in the fair. This included Smoking Awareness, Abuse Awareness, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education, Camden Cleanup, Homelessness Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness, as well as Blood Pressure and Glucose Screenings. The Breast Cancer Awareness table showcased a website ( http://www.projectreachbreastcancer.com/ ) students developed for a peer audience.  Numerous community adults also stopped by the event and were screened for blood glucose levels and pressure.  That day, students also made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that were distributed to the homeless of Camden City after the event.  Raffle tickets were given out for participants of the events for fun prizes including basketballs, footballs, gift cards, jump ropes, and an iPod shuffle! The Camden Cleanup, lead by Tristian and Jamal, focused on beautifying the city and this culminated in numerous hours of community service.  ECMS students spent two days painting and cleaning up needles and trash around Camden, including Alberta Woods Park which is next to the middle school.

17 April 2010: proposed R.E.A.C.H. Health Day

Students have been dilligently organizing their own community outreach projects.  Currently we have seven projects addressing the important issues in the community.  Keep this date on your calendar!

Helping the Homeless: a clothing and food drive/distribution

Diabetes Awareness: diabetic screenings and awareness information

Abuse Awareness: diminishing the stigma around physical abuse

Breast Cancer Awareness

Graffiti Clean-Up: a project to promote pride in a clean Camden

Abortion Awareness

Smoking Prevention and Awareness: including a fun race with prizes for top runners!

 

18 February 2010: Sixers Game

Thanks to the generosity of the Sixers and the Archdiocese in Camden, ECMS students enjoyed complimentary tickets to a 76ers game against the San Antonio Spurs. The students had a wonderful time relaxing after some hard work towards their Community Outreach Projects.

 

12 October 2009: First Official REACH Session!

REACH has officially started the program in conjunction with East Camden Middle School (ECMS).  The first learning session will include 12 ECMS students, lead by 6 UMDNJ-SOM medical students.  Initial meetings with ECMS were very promising; ECMS students have already expressed interest in exploring specific health issues concerning their community.  The first REACH session will begin on October 15th, 2009.  Check in for more updates as the year goes on.

 

REACH Partnerships

Project REACH is currently funded by the following grants:

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Caring for Community Grant
• Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
• Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR): Paul Ambrose Scholars Program

In addition to these funders, we are working with the following organizations:

• East Camden Middle School (ECMS)
• UMDNJSchool of Osteopathic Medicine
• UMDNJSchool of Public Health
• UMDNJSchool of Graduate School of Biological Sciences
• UMDNJSchool of Physical Therapy
• Camden City Healthy Futures