The Township of Nutley Department of Public Affairs and Health continues to lead in their quest to provide the township with the best in informative and helpful events and services. 

In January, the department hosted this year's blood drive in memory of local Nutley resident Keith Jaret. Keith and Maureen Jaret were Nutley business owners and residents for many years. Keith passed away due to liver disease. Commissioner John V. Kelly, III and the Nutley Department of Public Affairs and Health partnered with Vitalant Blood Services of New Jersey to conduct the event. 

Later in the month in partnership with the Rise Beyond Committee, the Nutley Board of Education and the Nutley Chamber of Commerce, the department hosted its first-ever informational session on January 30 to educate the community about the various resources available to its residents with special needs. The Rise Beyond initiative helps provide resources and information to township adults with disabilities. Showing great support for the mission, residents filled the Stockton Room at the Nutley Public Library to capacity to hear from multiple social organizations that provide assistance to special needs adults. Many success stories were shared, including parents of adults with disabilities’ personal accounts of what gainful employment seeking has been like for their adult children as a result of these programs.

“The special needs community is a vital and underserved part of our community,’ Commissioner Kelly says.  “More must be done to help them realize their full potential in our community, and I am proud of the work we have done to move towards that goal.”

The Department of Public Affairs and Health continuously advocates for women’s health year-round, but particularly in February (Women’s Heart Health month) and March (Women’s History month). Since 2020, some of the initiatives the department have installed include:

• Wear Red Awareness Day
• Resolution recognizing heart health month
• Heart Healthy Axe throwing event (2024)
• Heart Health Walk and Yoga event

Events scheduled for March include:

• Women’s History Month Meet & Greet Kickoff Reception Nutley Museum (March 5th)
• Women’s Health Seminar: Forgetfulness “Having a Senior Moment” / Normal Aging vs. Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (March 19th)
• Sip and Shop Women’s Networking Reception Mamma Vittoria 160 Franklin Ave. (March 26th)  

Another highlight celebrating Women’s History Month will be a series of panels held at Nutley’s elementary and high schools. Hosted by the department in partnership with Nutley Public Schools and the Nutley Women’s Networking Group, the schedule consists of:

• March 5 - Lincoln School (1-2pm)
  Tanya Clifton
  Michele O'Reilly
  Emilie Pulecio
• March 6 - Spring Garden School (1-2pm)
  Theresa Del Vecchio
  Michele O’Reilly
  Gina Thomas
• March 11 - Yantacaw School (1-2pm)
  Miranda Madrazo
  Lauren Kelly Schiller
  Gina Thomas
• March 12 - Radcliffe School (1-2pm)
  Theresa DelVecchio 
  Yaruby Petit Frere
  Lynn Vigilante
• March 13 - Washington School (1-2pm)
  Brittney Portes
  Lynn Vigilante 
  Gina Thomas
• March 22 - Nutley High School (9-11am)
  Panel consisting of Nutley High School Graduates
  Moderator:
  Patricia Cruz, RN, BSN

“Women’s History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate contributions by women to society,” states Commissioner Kelly. “Equally important is to recognize and celebrate the women in our lives who have shaped us. For me that is my five sisters, mother, grandmothers, aunts and my fiancé.  It is also a time to reflect on the hurdles women overcame and the work that still needs to be done.”

Another priority of the department is mental health. It continues to bring mental health initiatives to the high school students via monthly panels. February’s panel focused on toxic vs healthy relationships. Topics to be addressed in upcoming sessions include depression and anxiety,

“There is no health without mental health,” added the Commissioner, “Nutley is a Stigma Free town. There is no shame in asking for help or information, it is a sign of strength.”