Celebrates Second Anniversary of Providing Programs and Services that Enhance the Growth of Mind, Body and Spirit

Created by Rev. Beth Scibienski and a group of hardworking, determined volunteers, the Sand Hills Community Wellness Center strives to offer programs and workshops that “meet [the] physical, emotional and spiritual needs” of the community. An outreach of Grace Presbyterian Church, they are particularly intent on “serving people who either cannot afford these services or those for whom these services are not readily available.” After six months of nonstop planning and laboring, the wellness center opened its doors in March of 2013. Yoga classes, nutrition workshops, empowerment classes and more proudly exemplify the diversity of the programming available to the community.

Maryann Rappa, Director, explains, “One of our primary goals is that nobody is turned away for financial or any reasons. The Sand Hills Community Wellness Center is a safe place for anyone to come- for whatever reason. We offer everything from mental health counseling to Reiki and massage therapy.” Maryann, a master level mental health counselor and a certified professional coach as well as a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, was a part of the visionary team from the beginning. She and many others called upon their unique strengths to craft a truly warm and peaceful space in which plentiful and ever-changing programs are introduced daily.

As a nonprofit with a very small budget, the center relies heavily on word of mouth from satisfied participants and practitioners to help their center reach the community. Their success thus far is based in large part because of the quality, varied workshops they offer.

A favorite program, The Garden State Community Kitchen, run by local Chef Allison O’Brien, focuses on cooking for certain medical issues, including cancer and anxiety. Allison also provides a wonderful youth program in the summer months. Last year, the children planted an organic garden on the grounds and enjoyed cooking meals, swimming and yoga. Maryann exclaims, “I’ve never seen kids be so excited about cooking!”

Another program the center offers is the City Kidz World, a children’s literacy and creative writing program, run by Dr. Melissa Edwards. The program, with both ongoing classes as well as a special summer program, is open to all of the children in the community. Children learn about literacy, tap into their creativity and publish a vibrant quarterly magazine.

The Elixir Fund, created by Meg McQuarrie, is an organization that teaches the importance of care for cancer patients as well as those suffering from other chronic illnesses. The program emphasizes not only on the medical care, but also taking care of the emotional and physical needs of the patient as well as their caregiver. Maryann adds, “Often, caregivers are forgotten in the shuffle. Patients and their caregivers are in dire need of relaxation- whether it is in the form of a massage, Reiki session or yoga class.”

The Sand Hills Community Wellness Center works with a variety of charities, including the Breast Cancer Research Center, the MS Association of America and the Alzheimer’s Association. Maryann proudly gushes, “Not everyone can say they love what they do. I really believe in this program; I see how it has touched people. My mom is battling Alzheimer’s and I know firsthand the importance of having a place to get support. No one should have to go through this alone. This is the type of lifelong work my mother has done, so it’s especially significant that I am able to do this.”

The center makes every effort to reach out to the community, especially the overlooked and underserved, with kindness and compassion. Maryann believes the wellness center is of utmost importance because, “In this time of economic turbulence, people need a safe place. The Sand Hills Community Wellness Center offers unconditional, non-judgmental, good energy to those who visit us.”

Location: 57 Sand Hills Rd., Kendall Park. For more information and an updated schedule of their abundant workshops and classes, call 732-419-3551, email [email protected] or visit FeedingAllWhoHunger.com.