Y Expands Support for Critical Community Needs in Pandemic
RED BANK, NJ (June 4, 2020) – YMCA of Greater Monmouth County has joined forces with the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey’s Community Health Centers (VNACJ CHC) to offer COVID-19 testing at the Red Bank Family YMCA.
VNACJ CHC is now staffing drive-thru and walk-up, saliva-based testing at the Y for area residents concerned they may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
Governor Phil Murphy and state health officials say increased and continued broad-based testing will help identify those who have been infected, help them get necessary treatment, and slow the spread of the virus.
“Local testing at the YMCA is another way our organization has solidified its commitment to serve the community during this pandemic, and we have partnered with the VNACJ Community Health Centers to provide area residents with convenient access to COVID-19 testing,” said Y President and CEO Laurie Goganzer.
Since the crisis started, the Y has offered emergency child care to essential workers, blood drives, food collection and distribution, as well as mental health services for children and adults throughout the pandemic.
Goganzer said the testing is another example of the “Y’s commitment to address the community’s critical needs during this uncharted and unparalleled public health crisis.”
CEO of VNACJ CHC Christopher Rinn said, “we are pleased to work with the YMCA to offer this essential testing to residents of the Greater Monmouth County area.”
Rinn noted that the saliva tests are less intrusive than the deep nasal swab tests that have been widely used since the coronavirus pandemic broke out. “They are safer for healthcare workers administering the procedure and they require less personal protective equipment than the deep nasal swab,” he added.
Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna said the borough of Red Bank “is grateful that our local Y and the VNA have teamed up to provide easy access to COVID-19 testing for our residents and those in neighboring towns.”
Residents interested in being tested at the Red Bank Family YMCA should call VNACJ CHC at 732.294.2540 for a telehealth screening or go to the website vnachc.org/contact-us to determine if they qualify for testing.
The test site at the Red Bank Y, located at 166 Maple Ave., is open by appointment only from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Patients can drive through and will be given a kit through their car window. Walkers will be asked to sit on a bench outside of the Y. The testing takes approximately 15 minutes.
Results will be provided 2-3 days after the saliva screening.
Fees for the COVID-19 testing are on a sliding scale and/or based upon the individual’s health insurance coverage.
As of June 1, New Jersey has more than 160,000 positive cases reported, and 11,700 deaths from the coronavirus.
About YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is here for all – to empower youth and teens, improve health and strengthen community. A leading nonprofit charity, the Y unites 36,000 people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. In 2019, we provided $875,000 in financial assistance to strengthen approximately 2,820 families in need. The Community YMCA and YMCA of Western Monmouth County formed the countywide Y on Sept. 1, 2019. Our life-changing programs and services are anchored in 10 communities: health and wellness facilities in Freehold Township, Old Bridge and Red Bank; outdoor day camps in Millstone and Wall; a community center in Freehold Borough; counseling and social service centers in Eatontown, Matawan and Middletown; child care centers in Freehold Township, Matawan and Red Bank; and integrated in nearly 100 schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties. We’re based in Shrewsbury, NJ. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.
About VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Centers
Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center, Inc. (VNACJ CHC), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), has provided comprehensive primary and preventive health care for infants, children, and adults of Monmouth County for more than 27 years. The VNACJ Health Centers are conveniently located in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport and Red Bank. In 2019, our staff provided more than 44,500 visits to more than 14,200 patients. For more information about VNACJ CHC please visit www.vnachc.org.
