As a health educator, Liz Kimani educates inmates on health issues like HIV, STDs and Hepatitis C through presentations, pamphlets, and classes. She encourages testing and safer practices upon release. As a discharge case manager, she connects inmates to social and medical services for a successful transition. Pamela Bolden-Nmezi provides follow-up case management for at least 6 months after release, evaluating health issues and linking clients to community resources. Antonio Alexander facilitates programs on healthy relationships and reentry support. Together they work to educate, support, and link incarcerated and recently released individ- uals to needed health and social services through NJCRI's Project Renew.

1. Volume 2, Issue 4 Fall 2010
North Jersey Community
Research Initiative
Community First
Inside this issue:
Client Corner 2
Newark EMA Day of
3
Learning
What a Great Success!! 4
Project Renew 5
NJCRI Community Festi-
6
val
Upcoming Programs
9
and/or Events

2. Community First
Client’s Corner
NJCRI
393 Central Avenue However, with receiving counseling, referrals
Newark, NJ 07103-2842 of recommendation, the caring effort was appreciative.
The doubt of not knowing who can trust, confide,
leaves many lonely thoughts with pondering where
Dear Mr. Vernon Thomas, does one rise and overcome. Thanking you in advance,
for the exceptional therapeutic counseling session,
The purpose of contact is to follow up re- may you continue to accomplish making a change of
garding the contact meeting on Tuesday, June 29, improvement within the community.
2010. Both you and your staff members were quite
supportive and understanding. The security guard Respectfully, have a wonderful day.
was professional and promptness with clear com-
munication. Upon entering the facility there were
hesitation, uneasiness, embarrassment and nerv-
ousness regarding a loss of strength and independ-
ency.
Seeking Cures For Tomorrow
Providing Support For Today!
Hand written letter from a client.
Page 2

3. Volume 2, Issue 4
Newark EMA HIV Health Services Planning Council
Eleventh “Day of Learning”
“Turn the Beat Around!!”
The Eleventh ―Day of Learning‖ took stressing that it is the community’s Services, Bob Baxter, who spoke on
place on Friday, June 18th, 2010 at the responsibility to reduce the spread of syringe exchange, referrals and treat-
Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rut- HIV, teach the younger generations ment. Also present were representa-
gers University in Newark, NJ. The about personal conduct and safe sex,
tives from local community organiza-
event, hosted by the Newark EMA and change perceptions among people
HIV Health Services Planning Coun- unfamiliar with HIV and AIDS. tions who spoke with participants and
cil (NEMA) and the African Ameri- passed out informational flyers and
can Office of Gay Concerns Throughout the day, attendees partici- brochures. During breaks, musical
(AAOGC), drew many members of pated in some of the 15 workshops on acts and raffles entertained partici-
the HIV/AIDS infected and affected topics as diverse as HIV Advocacy, pants.
community. This year’s theme was
Oral Health and HIV, MSM Commu-
―Turn the Beat Around!!‖ and the A great time was had by all.
opening speaker, Dr. Gloria Boseman, nity Building and Mobilization, and
definitely got people thinking about Mental Health, among others. The
what that meant. Substance Use and HIV workshop
was delivered by NJCRI’s Director of
Dr. Boseman charged up the crowd, Addiction, Prevention and Education
NJCRI Welcomes Our Summer Interns!
Najah and Amir Brown, sister and brother, have been interning at NJCRI since July
29th, 2010 and will continue through early September. Najah recently completed
high school while Amir is a high school junior, both are residents of Newark.
While at NJCRI they have helped employees with the CHAMP system, in the food
pantry, reception, and filing.
Najah also wrote the article on page 6 of this newsletter on NJCRI’s recent Commu-
nity Health Festival!
** If you are interested in interning or volunteering at NJCRI, please contact
Kim Worrell at (973) 483-3444 ext. 133**
Page 3

4. Volume 2, Issue 4
What a great success!!
Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP)
Peer Leadership Training
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) – Live Healthy, Live Happy is a community work-
shop designed by Stantford University to give people with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease,
HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a
more active role in their health care. Participants learn healthier ways to live, gain confidence and motivation
to manage their health and feel more positive about life. The program goal is to help people choose healthy
behaviors and design strategies for incorporating these behaviors into daily life. Having a chronic health issue
poses a challenge and the Live Healthy, Live Happy program is able to show participants how to deal with
their illness, change their life style, and maintain healthy behavioral changes through community workshops
and peer leadership trainings. Research has shown that it is critical not only that the patient themselves be in-
volved in maintaining their health, but the involvement of family members and significant others is critical to
creating and maintaining change.
Each CDSMP — Live Healthy, Live Happy workshop held in the community must be led by two trained
Leaders. To become Peer Leaders, participants must attend 4 full days of training and facilitate a program to
become a Leader. Organizations sending participants are committing to the initial 4 days of training, plus the
time for coordinating and providing at least 2 six-week community programs within the following 12 months,
with the first being held within two months of training. NJCRI conducted the peer-leadership program on
Wednesdays on June 16th, 23rd, 30th, and July 7th, 2010 at NJCRI with 18 participants.
The CDSMP has 18 additional Peer Leaders facilitating workshops
throughout Essex County. Congratulations to the graduate!!
Page 4

5. Community First
NJCRI’s Project Renew
STAFF INTERVIEW
Liz Kimani, Health Educator and Discharge Case Manager in the Corrections Department at Northern State Prison (NSP), has been
working at NJCRI since June 2006.
Pamela Bolden-Nmezi, Discharge Case Manager and Health Educator at NJCRI and NSP, has been working at NJCRI since 2001.
Antonio Alexander, Facilitator of Healthy Relationships and The Correction Project, has been working at NJCRI since March 2001.
Q1. How does your position interact with the other parts of the Project and Department?
Liz Kimani: As a health educator I educate clients/inmates on health issues such as HIV, STDs and Hep. C as well as other medical
diagnoses that they might be dealing with. Tools utilized are blood work results, pamphlets, magazines, pictures and books. Every
Friday I present information to inmates during orientation in regards to HIV, STDs and Hep. C which is important, being that prisons
are considered high risk areas. Occasionally I am a guest teacher in the Stars Program where I teach basic HIV information as well as
STDs. Additionally, I also hold classes at the Therapeutic Center for inmates who are about to be released into the community. I en-
courage them to get tested and practice safer sex practices with their partners once they are released. Another part of the presentation
is HIV, Hep. C and STDs basic information.
As a discharge case manager, my role is basically to ensure that the clients/inmates are connected to social and medical services to
enable them to transition back into their communities in a successful manner. If they are eligible for the discharge planning, 3-6
months prior to their release we make a list of their needs. The list is handed over to Ms. Bolden who then makes a discharge sum-
mary. A rough draft is given to the inmates. Once all the corrections, if any are made, the client is given the final discharge summary
paperwork which gives him a lot of details in regards to appointments already made, times, dates, location and names of who will be
handling any specific need.
Pamela Bolden-Nmezi: As a Discharge Case Manager, I provide assistance and follow-up to clients; ensuring clients stay linked to
medical care and case management. I assist with client linkage to services for minimum of (6) months after the client’s release to
NJCRI.
I also evaluate clients with major health issues and potential life-threatening diseases such as STIs, Hepatitis and HIV, refer clients
for release to community social services and medical services, engage and inform clients of all services available at NJCRI, develop
treatment plans to help clients determine a course of action and preventive measures, explain medications and their side effects to
clients based on physician recommendations, ensure appropriate referrals made to other agencies based on client assessments, identi-
fications, food, clothing, other support services, complete applications for New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of
Housing and Community Resources Housing Opportunities 2 Program (HOP 2). Post-Incarcerations clients are eligible for Section
Eight, assess and develop discharge summary plans for clients in compliance with a Northern State University Correctional Health
Care discharge nurse, assist in the residential, clinical and educational program of clients.
I also provide trainings for clients in sexual assertion skills, proper condom use, cultural and gender triggers that may make it chal-
lenging for men to negotiate safer sex, and the importance of partner involvement in safer sex.
Antonio Alexander: The position that I hold interacts with several important aspects of those inmates returning into society, refer-
rals such as medical treatment, housing assistance, employment, food and clothing assistance, STD testing, and much more.
Page 5

6. Community First
NJCRI’s Successful Community Festival
Draws Community Together!
On Saturday, August 15, tive tables, Shrek’s ap-
2010, NJCRI held a pearance and the
community festival. The clown’s outstanding per-
festival was an educa- formance.
tional, informative,
healthy and positive This event kept your
event. The effort that eyes open and your ears
was put into this event listening. A great
was well recognized and amount of adults and
appreciated. children were there to
support the event and
Upon entering the park- their health. No one was
ing lot of the festival, left empty handed, eve-
Shrek made an
you could just feel the ryone had a piece of
love and concern that NJCRI to go home with
appearance at
NJCRI showed the com- for that day and for the
NJCRI’s munity. From the raf- rest of their lives. The
Community fles, to the Gong Show, festival was a success!
Festival Bob and Henry’s pho-
tography, the informa- Written by:
Najah Brown
Page 6

7. Volume 2, Issue 4

Page 7

8. Volume 2, Issue 4
Q2. What other agencies or organizations do you partner with?
Liz Kimani: In prison I work with a lot of the departments on a regular basis to ensure that the many needs of the clients/inmates are
met. Examples of these departments are: Parole Board, Social Services, Medical Services (UMDNJ), Mental Health Dept., Education
Dept., Custody, Starts Program, Fresh Start, just to name a few.
Pamela Bolden-Nmezi: We work with a number of non-profit organizations and hospitals, such as St. Michael’s Medical Center,
Broadway House and Catholic Community Services.
Antonio Alexander: Just to name a few, we are associated with St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Bridgett’s, Tully House and several other
agencies and organizations that provide additional services that are not directly provided by NJCRI.
Q3. How or where would you like to see your Project grow?
Liz Kimani: It would be wonderful to expand and add on new services that we can offer these ex-offenders once they are released
into the community. So maybe for the next 5 months, we as a team get to intensively and be on the lookout for more grants and train-
ings that will enable the department to grow.
Pamela Bolden-Nmezi: We work with a number of non-profit organizations and hospitals, such as St. Michael’s Medical Center,
Broadway House and Catholic Community Services. There are few programs that offer continuous post-release services in the com-
munity. Jail or prison discharge plans are not made with input from family or friends, or with their needs in mind. Families of any
socioeconomic status suffer when a loved one is addicted to drugs and incarcerated. They not only feel the stigma of having a family
member incarcerated, but many of the family members and children are also weakened from having endured a cycle of broken prom-
ises and habitual relapse. Embarrassing secrets become public knowledge, while the loss of income during a period of incarceration
keeps a family in dire financial straits. Family-focused interventions and family case management can help with safety and health
concerns, in determining what is best for the offender. Family case management can also be an effective resource to the benefit of
both the criminal justice agency and families.
Antonio Alexander: I would like to see my program flourish in the area of stability where consumers can maintain commitment of
participation and overall respect for self and others. My perception of those who thrive from my words of encouragement along with
the services provided is my personal commitment seeing our consumers go through different phases of growth. You have those that
remain stagnant as opposed to those who strive on progress, in my view, I see a great deal of growth that already exists in both the
consumers as well as the project.
Q4. What is your favorite aspect of your position?
Liz Kimani: My favorite aspect of my position…well, where do I start? I like that I get to have a deeper appreciation of humanity
through the connections that I have made with my clients. They have taught me a lot about not ever taking anything for granted be it:
Family, freedom, education, dignity, health, a walk in the park, having a home, having parents who care, and having a support sys-
tem…to say the least. I feel deeply honored and privileged to have this experience in my life. I would not have it any other way.
Pamela Bolden-Nmezi: Project Renew helps provide incarcerated offenders treatment options including healthcare, substance abuse
and other supportive services, upon their release back into the community.
Antonio Alexander: Being able to see the growth and development of our participants that have been struggling with behavior
changes for many years, by me having the wisdom and courage to give positive feedback and constructive criticism and its receptive-
ness, it makes me feel good about the position that I perform.
Page 8

9. Community First
Phone: 973-483-3444 Upcoming Programs and/or Events
Fax: 973-485-7080
E-mail: njcri@njcri.org
Support Groups
Founder For information about upcoming group meetings, call (973) 483-3444
William P. Orr, M.A.
Board of Trustees Project WOW! KIKI Function
Dwight Peavy
Chair For information, call (888) 688-9078
Thomas Flynn United We Stand-Night of Outreach Committee Meeting
Vice Chair
For information , call (973) 483-3444 ext 203
Carol Mori
Treasurer
NJCRI’s 2nd Annual Meet & Greet Fundraiser
October 7, 2010 from 6—9:00 p.m. at Aljira: A Center for Contemporary Art
Jeffrey Bomser
In Memoriam
NJCRI’s CHETA Trainings
Institutional Review Board ext. 204
For information , call (973) 483-3444
James M. Oleske, M.D.
Chair
Infrastructure Development:
Youth Advisory Board Setting the Stage for Organizational Success!
Ka'leef C. Washington October 12, 2010 from 9:30—4:00 p.m. at NJCRI
Chair
Directors
Brian McGovern, L.S.W.
Executive Director
Does your organization have a presence on Twitter or YouTube?
George Perez, M.D. If so, follow NJCRI at
Medical Director http://www.twitter.com/NJCRI
http://www.YouTube.com/NJCRI
Corey DeStefano, B.S.
Director, Clinical Research and Compli-
http://www.slideshare.net/NJCRI
ance Officer
Robert C. Baxter, M.P.A.
Director, Addiction, Prevention and Educa-
tional Services
Joseph Rothenberg, M.B.A.
Director, Finance
Donate Over the Phone
(973) 483-3444 ext. 191
Seeking Cures For Tomorrow Donate on our Website
Providing Support For Today! www.njcri.org
Donate By Mail
Send Us A Check
NJCRI
Newsletter created by:
Aura C. Caicedo 393 Central Avenue
Edited by:
Bob Baxter, Nimaako Brown, Aura C. Caicedo, Caroline E.S. Harris
Newark, NJ 07103