Asbury Park, New Jersey – August 6th, 2024: Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul visited the Community Health Center of Asbury Park on Monday, August 5th as part of National Health Center Week. The visit included a tour of the facility and meetings with staff and patients to learn more about the vital services provided by the health center.

“I am honored to join the Community Health Center of Asbury Park in recognizing National Health Center Week. The dedication and excellence exhibited by the staff at the Visiting Nurses Association of Central New Jersey are truly exceptional,” said Assemblywoman Peterpaul. “Listening to the profound experiences of both staff and patients underscores the significant impact the VNACJ Community Health Center of Asbury Park has had on their lives. The VNACJ Community Health Center is forging essential and life-saving connections for patient care and access.”

“This year, in the state budget, the LD11 team, including Senator Gopal, Assemblywoman Donlon, and myself, successfully secured $1 million in funding for the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center to enhance LGBTQ+ care and services,” continued the Assemblywoman. “Together, we will continue to work to expand access to comprehensive healthcare services in Monmouth County.”

The Community Health Center of Asbury Park is one of four locations of VNACJ Community Health Center, which also operates facilities in Freehold, Keyport, and Red Bank. As a vital healthcare resource in Monmouth County, VNACJ Community Health Center serves over 15,000 people and facilitates more than 60,000 patient visits each year.

“We were honored to welcome Assemblywoman Peterpaul to our Asbury Park location. Her visit highlighted our critical mission to build healthy communities and enhance well-being,” said Sarina Brady, CEO of VNACJ Community Health Center. “We are especially grateful to the Assemblywoman for her sponsorship of Assembly Budget Resolution 4089, which expanded funding for our LGBTQ+ Health Center—enhancing our ability to support the LGBTQ+ community and change lives. Together with the Assemblywoman, we are working tirelessly to ensure everyone receives the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.”

National Health Center Week, celebrated from August 4-10, 2024, raises awareness about the significant role of the nation’s 1,400 community health centers in delivering quality, comprehensive healthcare services to over 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. It also highlights the commitment and passion of community health center staff, board members, and supporters, who collectively contribute to the success and impact of these essential healthcare providers.

About VNACJ Community Health Center

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center, Inc. (VNACJ Community Health Center) has been integral to Monmouth County for over 27 years, providing comprehensive primary and preventative care for infants, children, and adults.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, VNACJ Community Health Center provides care at a sliding scale cost—meaning that quality of care is never dictated by a patient’s ability to pay. Ensuring equitable access and overcoming barriers in the healthcare system is central to the organization’s approach to care.

VNACJ Community Health Centers are conveniently located in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport, and Red Bank. The organization works across its four locations to fulfill its mission of building healthy communities and enhancing well-being.

With a diverse and multilingual team of professionals, VNACJ Community Health Center aims to represent and reflect New Jersey’s diverse communities, focusing on expanding access to high-quality healthcare in a trusted and inclusive environment. To learn more, visit: https://vnachc.org/