The Far Hills Race Meeting Association and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset’s Community Health Partnership recently awarded $150,000 over three years to Community in Crisis, a Bernardsville-based non-profit organization which is dedicated to fighting the opioid epidemic.
The funds will be used to enhance prevention initiatives and expand programs for individuals in recovery, including cooking classes, sober active programs, social activities and support groups, and hosting a substance free tent at the Far Hills Race Meeting. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset will lead support groups and educational seminars on topics such as chronic pain management and healthy nutrition. In addition, the hospital recently partnered with Community in Crisis to offer training in the use of Narcan, an opioid antidote, during a community-wide event involving multiple houses of worship.
“It truly takes a village to address the growing opioid epidemic – no one can tackle it alone,” said Andi Williams, executive director, Community Outreach and Development, Community in Crisis. “The support of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset – both financially and in terms of clinical resources – will help us make a difference in the lives of those who have been impacted by opioid abuse.”
Through the partnership between the Far Hills Race Meeting Association and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, a total of $885,000 in funds were allocated to five non-profit organizations which serve northern Somerset County. The funds, which will be disbursed over the course of three years, are awarded through proceeds from the Far Hills Race Meeting and are administered through Somerset Health Care Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm. In addition to the funds, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset will support the organizations through professional training and development, community health education, support groups and other health care services.
Along with Community in Crisis, other recipients included the Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey in Bedminster; LifeCamp in Pottersville; The Arc of Somerset County, Bonnie Brae in Liberty Corner and Community in Crisis in Bernardsville.
About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Located in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a nationally accredited, 341-bed regional hospital providing comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical, behavioral health and rehabilitative services to central New Jersey residents. As a designated teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the hospital maintains a family medicine residency program with 21 residents.
RWJUH Somerset has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety including the prestigious Magnet® Award for Nursing Excellence and designation as a “Top Teaching Hospital” by the Leapfrog Group. As the first hospital in New Jersey to offer primary health care services for the LGBTQIA community, RWJUH Somerset has been honored as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.
The Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset, a clinical research affiliate of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has been designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.
For more information, visit www.rwjbh.org/somerset.
About Far Hills Race Meeting Association
Far Hills Race Meeting is New Jersey’s premier social and sporting event. For nearly a century, this annual gathering has attracted a large and loyal fan base who return, year after year, to watch the world’s finest steeplechases, reconnect with family and friends, network, support worthy causes and make memories to last a lifetime. Over the years, Far Hills Race Meeting Association has given more than $18 million to support local health-care organizations. With its newly introduced pari-mutuel wagering program, Far Hills Race Meeting—which boasts the largest purses in the industry—is bringing steeplechase racing to new audiences, locally, nationally and globally. For more information about attending the event, visit www.farhillsrace.org.
