Be a Catalyst for Change to Improve Health Equity in NJ

HAMILTON, N.J. - EntSun -- The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance (YMCA Alliance) invites all state and local public health leaders, practitioners and changemakers to register for the 13^th Annual Culture of Health Conference on October 28, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Heldrich Hotel located at 10 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ. The event is a full-day investment in making New Jersey a healthier place to live.

The theme of the conference, "Uniting Through Connection, Advancing Through Partnership," aligns with this year's goal: to encourage the collaboration and connection needed to enact real change and ensure all New Jerseyans have access to the resources needed for a healthy life.

"Our vision for New Jersey is to create a place where everyone can reach their full potential, especially when it comes to health and well-being," said President and CEO of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance Julie Gallanty. "The annual conference is a chance for leaders to come together, share perspectives and identify tangible steps to remove disparities and barriers at the local level."

An Actionable Plan for Long-term Impact

This year's conference will bring together YMCA leaders and partners from public health, education, housing, transportation, business, philanthropy and community-based organizations across New Jersey. The goal is to move beyond conversation by helping attendees identify practical, cross-sector strategies that strengthen the conditions individuals, families and communities need to thrive.

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All sessions will be grounded in the context of the Seven Vital Conditions for Well-being, a framework popularized by The Rippel Foundation that outlines the characteristics of places and institutions that all people need to reach their full potential. The Seven Vital Conditions for Well-being are:

• Belonging & Civic Muscle
• Humane Housing
• Lifelong Learning
• Thriving Natural World
• Meaningful Work & Wealth
• Basic Needs for Health & Safety
• Reliable Transportation

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the Vital Conditions three times during the course of the event:

• Morning plenary conversations and table talks
• Afternoon deep dive breakout sessions
• All-day access to dedicated resources for each condition

The afternoon breakout sessions will allow attendees to focus on one condition and share ideas, discuss challenges and create connections in a small group of 30 to 50 people. Participants will use the time to devise practical strategies they can execute within their community or organization.

"We want attendees to be able to spend their time focused on an area of health and well-being that not only inspires them, but that's relevant to the people they serve," Gallanty said. "We also want this year's conference to be more than a one-day event. Our newly designed format will allow attendees to build new relationships and develop a plan of action that can lead to real, long-term change."

Featured Speakers to Share Insight & Inspire

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The event will feature several speakers, including:

• Becky Payne: President and CEO of The Rippel Foundation and leader of ReThink Health, dedicated to fighting for health equity and forging unexpected coalitions among unlikely partners in order to succeed.
• Dr. Tiffany Manuel: President and CEO of TheCaseMade and the pioneering force behind the science of Strategic CaseMaking™, a methodology that has helped thousands of everyday leaders mobilize energy, shift narratives and spark lasting change.
• Jorge Perez: President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and a leader, storyteller and advocate who believes health is built less in clinics than in the everyday places where people belong.

Commit to Making a Change: Register Now

To create an actionable plan for change and improve the health of all New Jerseyans, register for the 13^th Annual Culture of Health Conference here. Additional event information can also be found at https://www.njymca.org/culture-of-health.

About the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance
The YMCA Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 30 independent YMCA associations. Through public policy, statewide initiatives, strategic partnerships, and service delivery, the YMCA Alliance fosters a greater ability for YMCAs, community partners and leaders across the state to impact families, improve community health and advance equity. Our collective voice strengthens local communities while promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.njymca.org.