Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Stewartsville, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Stewartsville, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Stewartsville, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we offer two forms of growth hormone peptides: Sermorelin and Ipamorelin.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
973-587-8638
The light snow that coated the ground in many areas of New Jersey on Thursday was merely a nuisance. A bigger weather annoyance will be the next blast of Arctic air that will be sweeping across our region Thursday night — and sticking around for several days.We could be in for our longest stretch of near-freezing and sub-freezing days so far this wi...
The light snow that coated the ground in many areas of New Jersey on Thursday was merely a nuisance. A bigger weather annoyance will be the next blast of Arctic air that will be sweeping across our region Thursday night — and sticking around for several days.
We could be in for our longest stretch of near-freezing and sub-freezing days so far this winter.
How cold will it get?
Temperatures will be dropping into the teens across most of New Jersey by late Thursday and into Friday morning, and some areas of Morris, Sussex and Warren counties will see the mercury dip into the single digits, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
It won’t get much better during the weekend, with temperatures in northern New Jersey expected to be stuck in the upper 20s to near freezing during the day on Saturday and Sunday and in the teens and single digits in the morning. A slight breeze will make it feel as cold as zero or slightly below zero in some northern towns.
Lots of places in South Jersey also will get a blast of frigid temperatures throughout the weekend, with morning lows in the teens and afternoon highs in the low 30s, forecasters predict. And Monday could be almost as cold, before it turns a bit milder on Tuesday as temperatures climb into the 40s.
Temperatures on Friday will be running about 15 degrees colder than normal for Jan. 21, according to data from the National Weather Service. Some details:
The good news: We won’t have to worry much about additional snow during the next several days. Forecasters say the bulk of a coastal storm that originally looked like it could bring heavy snow to the Garden State will likely stay far south and east of our region.
As a result, there’s only a slight chance of light snow in southern New Jersey late Friday night into early Saturday, the National Weather Service says. About a half-inch or less is expected to accumulate.
Here’s a look at some of the snowfall totals reported by the National Weather Service as of 2 p.m. Thursday:
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
New Jersey's upcoming general election will have some differences from past years, as the state is offering in-person early voting.Early voting is set to begin on Oct. 23 and will end on Oct. 31, giving voters a week to head to a polling place and cast their ballot before Election Day on Nov. 2. But if your plan is to vote early and in person, there are some important changes to keep in mind, ...
New Jersey's upcoming general election will have some differences from past years, as the state is offering in-person early voting.
Early voting is set to begin on Oct. 23 and will end on Oct. 31, giving voters a week to head to a polling place and cast their ballot before Election Day on Nov. 2. But if your plan is to vote early and in person, there are some important changes to keep in mind, as the process will slightly differ from traditional Election Day voting.
The machine used for early voting is digital and will remind voters if they don’t make selections in a given category. After making their choices, early voters in some counties will print out their ballots. A security folder will be provided for voters in those counties to take the printed ballot across the room and scan it. After the ballot is scanned, it is considered submitted. Voters who cast their ballot on Nov. 2 will do so on a traditional machine, though in Monmouth County the new machines will also be used on Election Day.
Another change is that paper logs won't be used at polling places. Instead, early voters will check in on digital poll books linked to the poll books at locations throughout the county to combat duplicate votes. The digital books will still be used on Election Day, but will not be linked.
NJ governor:Phil Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli in their last debate — here's what I saw | Charlie Stile
There are multiple early voting locations in each New Jersey county, and those wishing to vote early can do so at any location in their registered county. Those voting on Election Day, though, will have to do so at their normal polling place. Polls will be open on Nov. 2 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Here is a list of every early voting location in New Jersey. All locations are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday:
Warren County (all locations open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
This story has been updated to clarify that the new voting machines required by the state for early voting may differ from county to county, and that the new equipment may also be used on Election Day in certain counties.
Liam Quinn is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
The colder air took longer than expected to arrive in New Jersey Thursday morning, so the switch from rain to snow was delayed by a couple of hours. So, how long will it take for the final flakes to fall?Forecasters from the National Weather Service say the light snow has already s...
The colder air took longer than expected to arrive in New Jersey Thursday morning, so the switch from rain to snow was delayed by a couple of hours. So, how long will it take for the final flakes to fall?
Forecasters from the National Weather Service say the light snow has already started to taper off in Sussex and Warren counties as of 10:15 a.m., and the back edge of the snow should move away from the New Jersey Turnpike corridor by around noon.
Areas of South Jersey that are still getting rain because of the warmer temperatures will eventually see the rain turn to snow by lunchtime, with the final snowflakes expected to move off the coast of Atlantic and Cape May counties in the late afternoon, said Dean Iovino, a forecaster from the National Weather Service’s regional office in Mount Holly.
Because of the warmer temperatures that lingered longer than expected, the weather service says snowfall totals in most of the southern half of the state will amount to less than an inch.
As the snow fades away, air temperatures will continue to drop into the low 30s, then into the 20s Thursday night and into the teens by Friday morning.
“It’s not gonna get any warmer than it (already) is today,” Iovino noted.
With a wave of frigid Arctic air sweeping into New Jersey, temperatures will remain cold during the next few days. And light winds will make it feel even worse, with wind-chill readings likely to get below zero overnight Thursday and overnight Friday.
Even though the storm was expected to be a minor one, the morning timing prompted the National Weather Service to issue winter weather advisories in 16 counties, many school districts throughout the northern half of the state called for delayed openings and some schools closed for the day.
Gov. Phil Murphy called for an 11 a.m. delayed opening of state offices, including Motor Vehicle Commission facilities.
The winter weather advisories were scheduled to expire at 11 a.m. in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset and Warren counties and 1 p.m. in eastern Bergen, northwestern Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, western Monmouth, eastern Passaic, Salem and Union counties.
Here’s a look at some of the snowfall totals reported by the National Weather Service as of 2 p.m. Thursday:
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Black bear sightings and damage complaints are down this year, though reports of non-aggressive bears in three North Jersey municipalities on Wednesday drew plenty of attention.It is quite a turnaround from last year, in which encounters and o...
Black bear sightings and damage complaints are down this year, though reports of non-aggressive bears in three North Jersey municipalities on Wednesday drew plenty of attention.
It is quite a turnaround from last year, in which encounters and other incidents involving bears rose significantly.
Through May 21, there were 48 sightings of bears reported to authorities, down from 52 through the same period in 2020, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Sightings doubled last year to 349, up from 169 two years ago.
There were only 9 reports of property damage in 2021 as of three weeks ago, down from 22 at that time last year. Property damage reports rose from 43 two years ago to 66 last year.
Even reports of bears rifling through garbage are declining, with 31 through three weeks ago compared to 48 at that point last year.
While the New Jersey DEP notes it is “extremely rare” for a bear to attack a human — only one incident was reported in 2020, and none so far this year — it is helpful to know the do’s and don’ts upon seeing a bear, whether in the woods or in a crowded neighborhood.
Here are the safety tips provided by N.J. DEP on its website.
It is not clear whether the sightings on Wednesday involved one or more bears. The first was spotted near the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus. Sightings were later reported in Teaneck and Bogota.
Bears have been sighted in all 21 counties but are most heavily concentrated in the northwestern part of the state.
New Jersey has held a bear hunt annually every fall since 2020, but Gov. Phil Murphy — who supports exploring non-lethal alternatives — announced last year that it will not take place in 2021.
Bear hunting has been a volatile issue in New Jersey, pitting hunters against animal rights activists. The hunt resumed in New Jersey in 2003 following a moratorium of nearly three decades, instituted after the population neared extinction in the early 1970s.
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Before joining a small nonprofit organization in Hunterdon County, Tanner Alexander mostly kept to himself.Now, one of his favorite things to do is make new friends.“I got here this past January, and I just like to meet new people,” said Alexander, who is 28 and lives in Washington Township in Warren County. “I’m still learning how to be independent, and how to meet people and be friends with everybody.”Alexander is a member of ...
Before joining a small nonprofit organization in Hunterdon County, Tanner Alexander mostly kept to himself.
Now, one of his favorite things to do is make new friends.
“I got here this past January, and I just like to meet new people,” said Alexander, who is 28 and lives in Washington Township in Warren County. “I’m still learning how to be independent, and how to meet people and be friends with everybody.”
Alexander is a member of StarThrower Group, an organization established in Flemington in 2018 to provide career support, service opportunities and community connections for young adults with special needs.
The main purpose of StarThrower Group is to teach its members, like Alexander, how to gain their independence.
“We’re there to support them through whatever personal or career or educational goals that they have for themselves,” explained Jenni Clark, the organization’s founder and CEO. “My friend once said it’s not about them making a living; it’s about them making a life. And that is really what it is.”
StarThrower Group has implemented a myriad of programs and activities for its approximately 50 members that range from dancing to knitting to educational lessons. These programs help the organization’s members cultivate connections with one another and with the staff, who observe how they interact and learn what their interests are before immediately launching them into a career path.
“So many agencies just say, ‘Oh, well there’s a job pushing carts at ShopRite, let’s go over there.’ Not that that’s a bad job, that’s just not everybody’s career,” Clark said. “And just because they have a disability doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the opportunity ... to be looking into their careers and their future — not just something that’s keeping them busy.”
“So it’s about shifting the mindset to help people to be able to do that,” she added.
In connecting one of the members with a potential new job, Clark commonly arranges for them to initially “sample” the experience so they don’t run the risk of being hired into a job for which they are not well suited.
“It’s so hard for everybody to overcome (being fired), but it’s even more difficult for people who already have lower self-esteem because of what they’ve already had to endure their whole life, or being told their whole life they can’t do something because they are disabled,” Clark said. “So first we start to get that skill and experience, and then we go and fill out a resume, and go on an interview, and actually get hired.”
However, the organization does not merely equate independence with a new career, but simply with helping its members get to the next step in their lives — regardless of what that next step may be.
“Our goal is their goal,” Clark explained. “I have a couple, we’ve had a serious talk about them getting married and having kids — they want to do that. And I said, ‘OK, we need to get you to that point.’”
Clark’s experience as a mother of an autistic child and as a former teacher in the Workplace Readiness Program at Hunterdon Central Regional High School played a role in inspiring her to establish the nonprofit in 2018.
As a high school teacher, Clark often wondered what the students with special needs would do after they graduated. And as a mother, she knew the options were too limited.
“I did some research and I found some places and I wasn’t really thrilled with what I was finding because the special education population is just stereotyped and generalized into these ridiculous, you’re high-functioning or low-functioning (categories),” Clark said. “And it’s a spectrum for a reason ... and I really wanted to find something that just focused on the individual, but also focused on community and bringing them together.”
Immediately prior to founding StarThrower Group, Clark’s experience as a transition coordinator at a local agency convinced her that it was time to establish the kind of place that could be of better service to people with special needs.
“The clients that I saw working there were longing for connection, and to be included and to feel valued, and they really didn’t have that,” Clark said. “And I said, ‘Alright, that’s it, we’re doing this.’ And I cashed out my pension and I jumped in.”
StarThrower Group is named after a favorite parable of Clark’s that is posted directly on the organization’s website, which tells the story of a boy who throws starfish into the ocean to save their lives.
“When it came time to open this, (the story) came back to me,” Clark said. ““Being a star thrower, each of us is helping somebody one person at a time. And because it’s focused on one-by-one, I think it’s important: because I try to individualize what we’re doing.”
“Everybody is a person, and I can’t just to stereotype and say, ‘Well, this is what worked for this one so this is what’s going to work for you.’ We really focus on trying to get to know everybody,” she added.
This focus on individual attention has remained in place even as the organization shifted all of its programs online in mid-March after the coronavirus pandemic broke out in the state of New Jersey. Clark said StarThrower Group adapted within days of the epidemic sweeping the state in her determination not to abandon any of its members.
“My fear was my friends were going to be home alone again. And the whole point of this was that we have our community,” Clark said. “And I said, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do: we’re going to use the Google platform and Google Meets and create something where they can log in.’”
“It evolved through the year, but we have been online since March 16 with an online daily program, weekdays, where they’re online with us from 10 to 4 and we provide all kinds of workshops,” she added. “And a lot of it is just silliness and fun and communication.”
Keeping within COVID protocols, at present day the organization allows no more than 25 people in its facility at one time. These 25 people often include member Christy Sualang, who Clark said comes in every day and leads Zumba-type classes at the organization.
In response to how often she enjoys orchestrating the dances, Sualang said, “All the time!”
Even as the organization remains at half-capacity, Clark said that the staff continues to welcome new volunteers to lead programs and nurture their own relationships with its many special members.
“They’re not just our clients, or anything like that. They’re a part of our family, and we’re here taking care of each other,” Clark said. “And it’s pretty cool, how it’s worked out. It’s probably the most ridiculously positive and fun place I’ve ever worked at.”
StarThrower Group is also continuing to accept donations from the community, much of which will go towards potentially expanding the organization over the next year or so to make it more accessible to people throughout the state.
“My goal is probably (to open a branch) in Washington Township and Somerset County, where it’s walkable, so perhaps the Raritan area ... just to give those who are coming from South Bound Brook, Manville, Hillsborough a closer destination,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of people out there that are having challenges because of different physical, emotional, developmental delays or disabilities ... if I can do something for any one of them, that’s always a plus.”
Tell us your COVID-19 vaccination stories, send us a news tip or questions about the vaccination process on our tip form.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 5/1/2021).
© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
Call 866.793.9933 for a hormone
replacement consultation or email us!
Google 973.587.8638
Facebook 973.587.8879