Women's Health & Counseling Center

Grant Date: April 1, 2011

Institution:   Women’s Health & Counseling Center                         71 Fourth Street                         Somerville, NJ 08876-3235 County:  Somerset Contact:  Fran Palm Project Director:  Fran Palm Phone:  908-526-2335 Fax:  908-595-9431 E-Mail:  fpalm@womenandhealth.org Website:  www.womenandhealth.org

Breast Health Volunteer Program

Your Dollars at Work: A Snapshot
This program trains volunteers as lay health educators to reach out to underserved populations in Somerset County and educate them about breast health issues and the importance of accessing breast cancer screening services.
      
 In Their Own Words…
Women's Health & Counseling Center's "Breast Health Education Volunteer Program" trains volunteers as lay health educators to reach out to underserved populations in Somerset County and educate them about breast health issues and the importance of accessing breast cancer screening services.  In 2011, the program will specifically target the "uncounted unemployed." This group can be divided into three categories. The first category consists of the individuals that are not counted in the unemployment rate, as they have stopped looking for work or are no longer receiving unemployment. The second category consists of the involuntary part-timers aged 40 and older. This group of individuals is over qualified for their position; even though many work, they have no health benefits. The third category consists of recently graduated students who, after completing college, have not been able to obtain employment or stay on their parents’ insurance. This group does not just represent the typical 25 year olds, but many baby-boomers that are seeking career changes.