Helping Jersey City Students
Saint Dominic Academy is one of the oldest independent secondary schools in New Jersey. It was founded in 1878 on First Street in downtown Jersey City, which for many years was a gateway for immigrants seeking to build a new life in America. Saint Dominic’s itself was founded by immigrants, Dominican Sisters originally from Bavaria who came to the New York area in the 1850s. It was their mission to help meet the academic needs of German immigrant children, offering education for students from the 7th through 12th grade.
HealthierJC + Saint Dominic Academy
For Saint Dominic Academy, fostering a Culture of Health for the mind, body, and soul – both physically and spiritually – is of the utmost importance in their organization. Saint Dominic Academy does not just educate the mind, they offer diverse opportunities to help students live the healthiest life possible and to help others do the same.
The Saint Dominic Academy program closely aligns with the HealthierJC goal to expand access to health resources and address health disparities within the Jersey City population. In awarding the mini-grant, HealthierJC acknowledged the ongoing contribution of Saint Dominic Academy in advancing a progressive urban Culture of Health within Jersey City.
Results
Thanks to the HealthierJC mini-grant, Saint Dominic Academy was able to host a health education event called “Fitness Fest at Saint Peter’s University”. This co-sponsored event benefited the 130-student body at Saint Dominic Academy in two ways.
First, the wellness fair educated students on nutrition, exercise techniques, and distressing activities such as yoga and meditation. And second, as part of the event, St. Peter’s University offered space, vendors, and instructors for exercise and yoga equipment free of charge.
Following the fair, this introduction to wellness resources resulted in the retention of the equipment by Saint Dominic Academy. The exercise and yoga equipment was subsequently relocated to a newly established Health and Wellness Room at Saint Dominic Academy, which was also funded by the grant awarded by HealthierJC.
The Saint Dominic Academy Wellness Room is now open for use by students, faculty, and staff. It is outfitted with dumbbells, weights, yoga supplies, massage equipment, a weight power rack, balance balls, and a fitness station deck. Since they did not have any athletic facilities onsite (no gym, weight room, etc.) this is the first time Saint Dominic Academy athletes have been able to train and work out on premises.
The interest in this facility has been overwhelming, and the school is now working on a schedule to better provide everyone with fair and equitable access to the space.
Moving forward…
Saint Dominic Academy hopes to continue creating and fostering a community of academic excellence, and empowering women for leadership in our global society. They are planning on more renovations, including the addition of a dedicated yoga/studio space when funds allow.
Rooted in Christian values, this Catholic institution embraces the diversity of its constituents and promotes unity through understanding and education. They are committed to building a diverse and equitable culture for their students, and for up-and-coming Jersey City generations.
For more information about Saint Dominic Academy, please visit the organization’s website at http://www.stdominicadad.com/