Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to welcome more than twenty LGBTQ health and wellness providers to the first Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health and Wellness Fair, presented in partnership with WellCare Health Plans on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Union County College (1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford) from 12 noon until 4:00 PM. All are welcome. Admission and parking is free.
“The LGBTQ community is diverse with specific health needs and challenges, of which a safe and supportive environment is often a barrier to access,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with WellCare Health Plans to host the first health and wellness fair for the LGBTQ community, friends and family.”
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people often face numerous barriers in accessing health and wellness services and programs. Union County’s inclusive, educational and interactive health and wellness event for the LGBTQ community will offer a variety of medical screenings, presentations, fitness and personal care demos.
More than twenty LGBTQ health and wellness providers will offer support resources and information for LGBTQ youth, parents, teachers, caregivers and allies. Registered health and wellness providers include:
CASA of Union County, Inc.
Garden State Equality
Hetrick-Martin Institute: New Jersey
HiTOPS
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation
Iris House, Inc.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, & Southern NJ
Prevention Links
P.R.O.C.E.ED. Inc.
Rutgers NJ Medical School
Union County Division of Health
Union County Dept of Human Services and Division of Youth Services
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
YWCA Union County
In addition, the event will feature educational wellness presentations that cover important topics that affect the health and wellness of LGBTQ individuals including HIV awareness, being an ally parent or teacher, understanding domestic violence in the LGBTQ community, emergency preparedness and more.
Free interactive demonstrations will include a fitness demo by NFL star and former NY Giants player Raheem Orr Sr., as well as makeup and cosmetic advice by a representative of Bobbie Brown Cosmetics, barber cuts by Shear Ambition, Child IDs by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and so much more.
HIV/AIDS, STD and other basic clinical testing will be available on site throughout the event.
In addition, Community Coordinated Child Care will host an interactive children’s section dedicated to offering development assessments for children up to the age of 5.
“Enhancing efforts to improve LGBTQ health and wellness is necessary to ensure that LGBTQ individuals can lead long, healthy lives,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Fair brings together LGBTQ-affirming health and wellness providers from throughout the State of New Jersey to offer individuals the opportunity to engage in their personal health and wellness in a safe and inclusive environment.”
Organized by WellCare Health Plans, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Division of Heath, with support from Union County College, the Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health & Wellness Fair represents the Freeholder Board’s commitment to supporting a strong and healthy community and is part of our ongoing effort to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ community to access basic health screenings and important information.
Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.
The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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