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“Without this place, I would have been lost,” says Leslie
Paige, who is raising two grandsons. “As I see themgrow
and change and use the tools that they’re learning here
to build their self-esteem, it builds my self-esteem.”
One of C.A.S.T.L.E.’s most popular features is Fitness
Rocks. Led by SaraO’Brien of Community Rocks!
Corporation, this therapeutic programmixes yoga and
other forms of exercisewithmusic and lessons about self-
confidence and sensitivity. Play, music, and dancing help
students copewith stress and anxiety, while also allowing
them to get outside and just be kids.
“It has been a joy towitness childrenwho normally
struggle to communicate and engagewith others
become playful, energetic and even loudwhenMs. Sara
comes with her guitar,” says Amy Quick, director of the
C.A.S.T.L.E. Program. “Doing something fun so kids
don’t know they are getting therapy is just as important.”
C.A.S.T.L.E. also provides horticultural therapy to help
reduce stress and promote social skills. The staff at
C.A.S.T.L.E. also collects food, coats, and backpacks full
of school supplies for children. For themore than 600
families connected to C.A.S.T.L.E., fromCamden and
beyond, this programgives parents and childrenwhat
they need—a fun, positiveway to keep kids moving
forward in the educational process and learn tools
they need to succeed in school, at home, and in
the community.
It always comes back to the community, and that includes
thosemost in need: the homeless population. Virtua is
partneringwith the Camden Coalition of Healthcare
Providers in Housing First, a new initiative that addresses
the problems of chronic homelessness and expensive
emergency roomvisits by allowing the homeless tomove
into homes without preconditions and regardless of their
credit history. According to the Camden Coalition,
Housing First programs in the U.S. have a 90 percent
success rate versus 30 percent in traditional
housing programs.
All of these efforts are primarily funded through grants
and philanthropy. Andwith the continued support of its
generous donors, Virtua Camden has plans of doing
evenmorewith newprograms and a campus expansion.
There is an urgent need for expanded services in
Camden andwe are committed to bringing greater
access to affordable, high quality care that is based on
the unique needs of the residents of Camden. A new
Family Health Center will transformhealthcare for Virtua’s
growing number of patients. The center will provide
outpatient clinical services that include advanced
technologies and upgraded amenities, as well as space
to provide educational programs for patients with
diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Families are the heart of Camden, and
Virtua is committed to keeping that
heart beating strong – enhancing
resources it offers those families so they
can create healthier lives for themselves
and their children.
IN 2015, VIRTUA
CAMDEN PROVIDED
90,000 ANNUAL VISITS
BUTWE MUST DO
MORE.