Transforming Lives: RWJBarnabas Health’s Community Medical Center Unveils Inspiring ‘Kindness Grows’ Mural

Recently, the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery launched a beautiful mural called “Kindness Grows” at Community Medical Center in Toms River. This initiative, part of the Communities That Care (CTC) program, celebrates positivity and local youth voices.

The 4′ x 4′ mural features a portrait of Angelina Gross, who was just a fifth-grader when she helped create this work of art. Inspired by the “Chalk the Walk” event, where students wrote kind messages on sidewalks, the mural showcases words contributed by students, parents, and teachers. Local artists, including Steve Schreiber and Gianna Masi, made this vision come to life under the guidance of Mark Dornan, who prepared the canvas.

Amy Carreno, the manager of Toms River CTC, emphasized the mural’s significance: “It represents what happens when a community comes together to make kindness visible. Small acts of care can create ripples that last for years.”

The mural’s home at the hospital was secured thanks to Carreno and Jessica Ruzow, the Assistant Vice President at Community Medical Center. Patrick Ahearn, the CEO of Community Medical Center, called it a wonderful example of how they connect with the Ocean County community. He noted that the mural would remind staff of the kindness that inspired it every day.

Located in the Outpatient Lobby of Community Medical Center, the “Kindness Grows” mural is meant to inspire visitors and promote the idea that positivity can truly transform a community. This initiative is part of a broader effort by RWJBarnabas Health to address social and economic issues that can lead to health challenges—a critical focus given that the CDC reported a 1.8% decrease in life expectancy in the U.S. from 2019 to 2020, largely due to preventable health issues.

CTC programs have been implemented in several locations, including Asbury Park, Barnegat, and Newark, becoming a key initiative in New Jersey’s health landscape.

With art as a powerful medium, the “Kindness Grows” mural stands as a testament to community spirit and care. It reminds us that acts of kindness can change lives and foster a greater sense of unity.

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