In Woodland Park on Saturday, it was measured in shoes.
Some 277 pairs, along 300 feet of walkway in Dowling Gardens, bore witness to unfathomable pain: of young people who are no longer there to fill those boots, sandals and sneakers.
Teen suicide suicide and mental trauma in general was the subject of a sobering exhibit brought to the town by the Stigma Free Task Force, a group that since 2016 has been raising awareness of a growing problem.
On each pair of shoes, a tag with a quote. Actual words from a young person who died by suicide. I can t understand why I can t be happy. I have to sit alone at lunch. My coach doesn t believe in me. I am afraid to tell my parents that I am gay. Everyone thinks I have so much to live for, except me. My boyfriend hits me. Every day I want to die.
Common calendar, Packet papers, May 14
Common calendar, Packet papers, May 14
The Bordentown Historical Society needs a female theatrical storyteller for its award-winning Harrowing History performances.
Looking for a woman who likes to perform, dress up in period costumes and entertain people.
Send a message with contact information to kkantorski@aol.com
Look for signs on Route 206.
Volunteers are needed, age 18 and older, will clean both sides of Route 206 between New Amwell and Homestead Road.
Volunteers are asked to wear masks and socially distance from other volunteers.
The Hopewell Valley Arts Council seeks artists, artisans and creatives ready for an eco-art challenge at its newest community event: The Junkyard, an upcycle art exhibition.
Woodland Park exhibit focuses on young lives lost through suicide
Updated May 10, 2021;
277 pairs of shoes, 277 young lives lost.
Attitudes In Reverse, a Plainsboro-based nonprofit, will present its “In Their Shoes” exhibit for the first time since the pandemic began on Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dowling Gardens, 2 Dowling Parkway, in Woodland Park.
The exhibit will consist of 277 pairs of shoes to represent New Jersey residents ages 10-24 who took their own lives in the span from 2014 to 2016, according to the 2018 New Jersey Youth Suicide Report published by the state’s Department of Children and Families. Of that number, 196 were young men.
Common calendar, Packet papers, May 7
Common calendar, Packet papers, May 7
Ongoing
Look for signs on Route 206.
Volunteers are needed, age 18 and older, will clean both sides of Route 206 between New Amwell and Homestead Road.
Volunteers are asked to wear masks and socially distance from other volunteers.
Throughout May
The 2021 season of the Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook continues on May 8 with the return of “Winslow, An Evening of the Eagles.”
May 9 will be an afternoon of music to celebrate mothers with American’s Tenor Dominic Mantuano.
On May 22, Amani will perform jazz, blues, ballads and bop.
The Closet Carpenters will perform the songs of the duo Richard and Karen Carpenter on May 30 at 7 p.m.
Woodland Park Stigma Free Task Force Relaunches Under New Leadership
By TAPINTO PASSAIC VALLEY STAFF
May 3, 2021 at 12:01 AM
Credits: Borough of Woodland Park
Credits: Borough of Woodland Park
Credits: Borough of Woodland Park
By TAPINTO PASSAIC VALLEY STAFF
May 3, 2021 at 12:01 AM
WOODLAND PARK, NJ - After a period of dormancy due to COVID, the Woodland Park Stigma Free Task Force has relaunched this spring with new leadership under chair Phyllis Hornstra and co-chair Christine Tiseo. The group, which has over 20 members, has met several times via Zoom over the last few months to plan events and activities.
In addition to an education campaign, members put up ribbons along McBride Avenue and around and in Dowling Gardens in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, and hosting a special exhibit called “In Their Shoes” on May 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dowling Gardens to start. Many other activities are in the works in town and in the schools.