Become a Monthly Donor

Elora’s Story

Elora is a typical 2-year-old from a sweet and caring family in Ocean County.

Her mom met our Family Engagement Specialist (FES) at a local neighborhood event and expressed concern that her 2-year-old daughter was not yet speaking. The FES offered an ASQ-3 Developmental Screening which revealed a delay in the area of communication. Her mom was relieved to know that Elora scored high in all other areas.

Elora’s pediatrician recommended she call Early Intervention (EI) to start speech services right away. Soon after, EI visited Elora at home and completed their screening, but her mom was told that Elora did not qualify because she didn’t meet the requirements of showing more than one delay. Elora’s mom then presented the CHS Family Engagement’s ASQ-3 results that also revealed a delay which qualified her for services. Thanks to our Family Engagement Specialist, this sweet child is receiving the support she deserves to reach her full potential.

Donate

Carmen & Gladis’s Story

Gladis, a community doula at CHSofNJ, started working with Carmen, an expectant mother from Guatemala, when she was close to her due date. Despite having a planned vacation near the time of Carmen’s due date, Gladis cancelled her vacation in order to be her doula. Carmen had suffered a miscarriage in 2021 and a still birth in 2019. She needed both physical and emotional support. Gladis gave her tips on how to cope with stress and shared videos of meditation and relaxation exercises. She let Carmen know that she was there for her 24/7. Carmen was very grateful to have a doula.

Carmen called Gladis at 3:30 a.m., saying her contractions were only five minutes apart. Gladis met Carmen and her husband in the labor and delivery room. She was very uncomfortable and experiencing a lot of pain. Gladis helped her with exercises and massages and when it was time to push, reminded her to breathe, stay strong, and push hard. When the baby was born, Gladis helped Carmen introduce skin-to-skin and breastfeeding to her baby boy and waited until the family went to the Baby and Mom unit before going home to rest. Gladis visited the following day to find mom and baby Kevin doing extremely well.

A few days later, Carmen experienced some difficulties breastfeeding and Gladis gave her tips to ease the process. Gladis continues to stay in touch with her and her family, helping her enroll in the CHSofNJ WIC food program. “I’m very proud of what I do, I realize that I make a difference, and I’m so happy to be a part of her family’s life,” Gladis says.

Donate

Jac’Quinn’s Story

Jac’Quinn is a 10-year-old 5th grade student at Joyce Kilmer Middle School who walks to school each day because his mom has a disability, making it impossible to operate a car. He is a disciplined student who has never missed a day of school even though it takes him 40 minutes to walk. And, he is a positive influence on his peers, bringing a smile and an enthusiasm for learning to school!

He is enrolled in the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) – Positive Impact Program, a federally funded after school program operated by CHSofNJ in collaboration with Trenton Public Schools. The program operates every day that school is in full session, is free of charge and welcomes students to enroll regardless of their level of academic ability, English proficiency or behavioral needs at two Trenton public school sites: Grace A. Dunn Middle School and Joyce Kilmer Middle School.

The 21st CCLC – Positive Impact Program provides three hours of after school programming daily with a concentration in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The STEM theme supports the Trenton school district’s middle school initiative by incorporating STEM activities to increase student engagement. Other core curriculum components of the program include: literacy, study skills/college exploration, character development/community services, visual and performing arts, sports, health and fitness.

The 21stCCLC Positive Impact Program serves 225 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students daily. The students participate in homework support, tutoring, test preparation and enrichment club and STEM activities such as “Chemistry Connection,” Visiting Scientists, Positive STEMulation, LEGO Robotics, Video Game Design, Myth Busters, and TV Production clubs. The program also offers students science-focused field trips to the Franklin Institute, Rutgers University School of Engineering, Bloomberg Financial and Camden Adventure Aquarium.

Donate