One of the Y's goals for 2012 and beyond is to bring wellness into the community like never before. We’re presenting more health lectures and seminars than in years past. We have more collaborative partners, and have some wonderful programs and ideas in the works. I’ve personally been calling on businesses and organizations in the Greater Montclair Community to see what more the Y can do to reach more people and enable them to take advantage of the many resources we, and our partners, have to offer.

This Friday (yes, tomorrow!), Pam Scott and her great staff at the Partners for Health Foundation have put together a great program for all employers, and I urge you to attend. It’s entitled Best Practices for Employee Wellness Programs and the Benefits of a Healthy Workplace.

The program will feature Fik Isaac, MD., a renowned expert in the field of employee wellness. Dr. Isaac is VP of Global Health Services for Johnson & Johnson. The program will also include a discussion of a new employer toolkit for a healthier workforce, "Use the Stairwells," developed as part of an Eat. Play. Live... Better workgroup led by Erica Abbruzzese of the Montclair Health Department. The township of Montclair recently implemented an Employee Wellness Program, and Erica was instrumental in its development.

I’ve spent significant time talking or meeting with Pam and Erica about how to make a difference in the health and wellness of this community. Other partners, like Whole Foods Market, Mountainside Hospital, Clara Maass Medical Center, and many businesses in town are all about good health and wanting to do more. Montclair has an incredible number of residents and business owners who are passionate about good health and nutrition, and most are movers and shakers who have the personality and drive to really make a difference. We’re looking for others to join the cause.

Months ago I wanted to initiate a program for restaurants that were willing to either highlight an existing menu item or create one that is heart-healthy and nutritious. I found out from Pam that Partners for Health already had this in mind, and we’re looking for restaurants to come on board. I’d like to hear from restaurant owners or chefs who want to learn more. Help us create a “community-wide” menu that promotes good eating and good health, and also supports those restaurants who are willing to provide healthy options for all of us who enjoy dining out.

As a means of expanding our impact and making the Y available to people who may work but not live in this area, I’ve reached out to many businesses to discuss corporate memberships. I could recite all sorts of research which shows that businesses that offer health and wellness programs to their employees have greater staff loyalty and retention, but reading about it and doing something meaningful for your employees are quite different.

The Y is open to corporate memberships. We want to extend opportunities to you, your employees and their immediate families to take advantage of all we offer. We have thousands of members who enjoy working out, swimming, playing basketball and racquetball, Zumba, personal training, attending our camps and much more. It’s never too late to choose a healthier lifestyle and, as a business owner, you have the power to impact members of this community just as we (and many others) do.

Montclair is one enlightened community, but there is so much more we can do together. I’d love to hear from anyone that has an idea or wants to be a part of our collaborative efforts. You can reach me at 973 415-6110 or via email at lhaberman@montclairymca.org. Thanks and good health to you all!

Please note that the Partners for Health Foundation breakfast will be held at the Glen Ridge Country Club, 555 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ. This event is complimentary but pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact:

Pam Scott
Executive Director, Partners for Health
pscott@partnersfdn.org or (973) 746-6130, Ext. 11