Bryndaisha White
For nearly a decade, the March of Dimes (MOD) has worked with the Wellness Center at Community Hospital to pursue their common interests and concerns. In October 2005, the March of Dimes advanced this relationship by inviting Bryndaisha White, a peer leader at the Wellness Center, to become a part of the MOD board as their youngest member.
The Wellness Center actively participates with the March of Dimes by partaking in events including Walk America and Lobby Day. Since 1996, the MOD has given various grants to the Wellness Center, and over the years has been able to witness the hard work and dedication that has resulted from the youth programs.
“The March of Dimes is so impressed with Crozer’s Wellness Center,” says Dolores Smith, state director of Program Services and Public Affairs for the March of Dimes. ”The students develop leadership skills and serve as youth advocates on issues of maternal and infant health. Our Community Grant funds were put to good use in this program.”
White is a peer leader at the Wellness Center. Now a high school senior, White has been part of the Wellness Center’s Peer Leader Program for the past four years. As a peer leader, White mentors adolescents in sixth and seventh grades. At the Wellness Center, the peer leaders focus on educating children about peer pressure and some of the challenges they may encounter throughout life. They discuss topics such as sex, drug use and every-day problems that children often have while growing up.
During her membership as a peer leader at the Wellness Center, White has had many opportunities to work with the March of Dimes. Along with participating in Walk America and Lobby Day, White has attended and spoken at conferences on behalf of the March of Dimes, as well as the Wellness Center.
“We ask each of our board members to be a spokesperson for the March of Dimes, and Bryndaisha fills the spot beautifully,” says Susan Elder, state director of Development for the March of Dimes. “We look forward to the insight she will bring to the board concerning the youth’s interests, opinions and concerns.”
White is honored and very enthusiastic about her position for the March of Dimes.
“It feels great to know that the work that I do is acknowledged and recognized,” explains White. “I am ready and willing to take on the responsibility, and I am very proud to have the opportunity to contribute to something that is so beneficial to children.”
Along with bringing a youth perspective to the board, White will also continue to work on advocating about the importance of newborn screening and other issues of interest that ensure the health of pregnant women. White will be a full voting member of the board, and attend both state and local meetings.
“Bryndaisha is one of the Wellness Center’s strongest peer leaders because of the amount of responsibility she takes on, and the quality of work that she produces, comments Kate Blackburn, director of Youth Development Programs at Crozer’s Wellness Center. “Bryndaisha stands out in the crowd and has a certain maturity about her.”
“The March of Dimes values the strong relationship with the Wellness Center,” says Elder. “We are impressed with how well spoken the children are, and are grateful that Kate makes the students available to the March of Dimes.”
“Kate and Crozer should be commended for the eloquence of the Chester youth, and the contribution they make towards the children’s accomplishments,” says Smith.
White plans on attending college after graduation, and intends on working with and volunteering for the March of Dimes for the rest of her life.
“Both the Wellness Center and the March of Dimes are such beautiful programs,” explained White. “They have changed the lives of children in the Chester community, and people should be aware of how they can get involved.”
For more information about the Wellness Center, call (610) 497-7422, or visit www.crozer.org. For more information about the March of Dimes, visit www.marchofdimes.com.