‘Health Village’ Festival Will Kick Off Three-City Tour In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of CareSparc Community Connection. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

CareSparc Community Connection’s 11th annual Sustainable Health and Wellness Village (SHWV) Festival will kick off its three city-tour in Newark at Branch Brook Park’s Prudential Concert Grove on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The SHWV intergenerational wellness festival provides access to health care services, information, and resources for people of all ages across the state. Festivalgoers can enjoy interactive family activities, receive free eye exams and eyeglasses, health screenings, vaccinations, fresh produce, and physician-led education and resources on maternal, infant, child, senior health.

“Public health is the essential, foundational requirement for Newark’s transformation toward vitality in every aspect of our city life,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said. “As we strive to become a defining center for health and wellness, this yearly festival gives us an opportunity to celebrate our progress and to invite every resident to Branch Brook Park for high-quality health information, testing and screening, free of charge. We could not be more proud or grateful to work with these generous partners in building a healthier Newark.”

The multi-city SHWV Festival Tour is more critical than ever, amid health care cutbacks and growing disparities affecting underserved populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black and Brown adults face significantly higher rate of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease – yet are less likely to have access to preventive care and screenings.

“Advancing health equity to build healthier, more resilient communities is more critical than ever with the current cutbacks to health care,” said Keith DaCosta, co-founder and executive director of CareSparc Community Connections. “Our Health & Wellness Village Festival was created to ensure that every person – regardless of age, background, or income – can access the screenings, education, and resources they need to live a healthier life and address the rising gaps in health care.”

The 2025 SHWV Festival Tour will occur at two additional locations including:

• New Brunswick: Sept. 20, Alice Jennings Archibald Park at 11 am to 4 pm
• Atlantic City: Oct. 4, Oscar E. McClinton Waterfront Park at 11 am to 4 pm

In addition, the 2025 SHWV festivals will feature physicians, nurses, community resources and public health-based staff from numerous health care facilities.

Organizers also have incorporated music, live entertainment, and the arts into the intergenerational wellness festivals. The 2025 SHWV Festival Tour presenting sponsor is Johnson & Johnson.

For more information about the 2025 SHWV Sustainable Health & Wellness Village Festivals, visit: www.caresparccommunityconnections.org

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