In a major step toward addressing health care disparities in New Jersey’s largest city, RWJBarnabas Health joined community leaders and local partners on March 18 to break ground on the South Ward Wellness Center.
The project is the result of a massive public-private partnership between RWJBarnabas Health, BRICK Networks, Saint James Health, and the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity. The center aims to move beyond traditional medical treatment by focusing on “wellness” through a holistic, resident-led approach.
RWJBarnabas Health has kicked off the project with an initial $3 million investment, part of its broader Our Healthy Communities initiative. This program has already seen the health system reinvest more than $151 million into social determinants of health, such as housing, nutrition, and economic mobility.
“Our mission is to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey – and that commitment extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals,” Mark Manigan, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health said.
To ensure the center provides long-term support, the health system plans to staff the facility with:
- Community Health Workers (CHWs): To provide personalized guidance and bridge the gap between residents and providers.
- SNAP Navigators: To assist families in accessing essential food assistance programs.
The 50,000-square-foot facility was designed based on direct feedback from South Ward residents, who identified a need for integrated services that eliminate the “fragmented systems” of the past.
Key Features of the New Center:
- Maternal Health Wing: Dedicated space for prenatal and postpartum care.
- Primary Care & Pharmacy: Full-service medical suites and an on-site pharmacy.
- 11,000-sq.-ft. Express YMCA: A fitness hub focused on prevention and active living.
- Education Hub: State-of-the-art classrooms for cooking and nutrition classes.
- Nonprofit “Swing Space”: Flexible office and meeting space for local community organizations.
“This is more than a wellness center; it’s the physical embodiment of what our community has demanded and deserves,” Dominique Lee, CEO of BRICK Networks said.
The project is currently fully funded for construction at $48 million, supported by a diverse coalition including the Victoria Foundation, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and a federal appropriation from the late Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. Organizers are now seeking a final $5 million to ensure the facility opens debt-free.
The South Ward Wellness Center is slated to open in April 2027, serving as a blueprint for how urban centers can combine medical care, social services, and fitness under one roof to break cycles of inequity.
