Community Impact Through Strategic Partnership
When two organizations committed to serving the community build a partnership, they create new opportunities to support the people they serve. On Monday, June 8, leaders from Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center and Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center volunteered at LifeTown, bringing their energy to the LifeTown Shoppes.
“We’re honored to be here as a group,” said Stephanie Schwartz, senior vice president of Atlantic Health, president of Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center, and interim president of Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center. “After we introduced the Friendship Circle leaders to the excellence we offer every day at Atlantic Health Overlook, they showed us what they’ve built here at LifeTown. It’s about partnerships, and we’ve been really pleased with getting to know one another.”
Although their work takes different forms, Friendship Circle and Atlantic Health share a commitment to helping people feel supported and connected. One point of connection grows out of LifeTown’s adult program, where participants prepare Shabbat kits for families and Bikur Cholim care packages for patients at Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center. Atlantic Health Overlook also serves Jewish patients and their families through its Bikur Cholim room. These projects give LifeTown participants meaningful opportunities to support others while bringing comfort to people facing illness.
The work done by the two organizations also intersects through programs that help individuals with disabilities develop skills and participate more fully in their communities. These shared areas of service provide meaningful opportunities for both organizations to learn from one another.
“This partnership reflects an important part of what LifeTown is all about,” said Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, CEO of LifeTown. “Adults at LifeTown prepare Shabbat kits and Bikur Cholim packages that bring comfort to families and hospital patients, while Atlantic Health volunteers help our students practice real-world skills in the Shoppes. Together, we can create a more caring and inclusive world, where every person has something meaningful to contribute.”
Schwartz added, “It’s incredible that LifeTown was developed with such perspective and sensitivity to how we all engage in the world. The work that is done here, and the way that LifeTown meets individuals where they’re at and allows them to interact with the world is really special.”
That shared commitment made Atlantic Health’s volunteer morning even more special. Employees rolled up their sleeves and took on roles throughout the LifeTown Shoppes. Atlantic Health leaders brought smiles to children’s faces as they polished nails at the salon, taught the basics of dental health, handed out ice cream cones, and suggested engaging reads at the bookstore.
“I love working with kids. The opportunity to contribute to our communities is an important part of our commitment at Atlantic Health,” said an Atlantic Health employee. “It was a great experience for all involved – for the kids to gain real world skills, and for us to reflect on how we can contribute.”
Schwartz agreed and said, “Today was an incredible way to meet and engage with the community and in line with Atlantic Health’s mission.”
After a successful morning supporting students at LifeTown, the Atlantic Health leaders returned to work with a sense of pride and full hearts. Throughout the morning, students had opportunities to practice everyday skills while enjoying their interactions with the volunteers. The collaboration between Atlantic Health and LifeTown demonstrated how a strategic partnership can strengthen community connections and create meaningful experiences for everyone involved.
