Senator Kim Brings Care Agenda to Visits in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ –Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) brought his mission to improve caregiving to stops across Atlantic City. The visits placed a spotlight on some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations, including seniors, the homeless, and non-traditional students.
“I leave Atlantic City inspired by the incredible work I saw; in every corner of our state, we have community ready to serve and provide help to those who need it,”said Senator Andy Kim.“Today’s visits also reinforced how much work is left to do to bring proper care to our most vulnerable and those who take care of them every day – as a federal partner I will keep pushing to ensure resources are flowing back home to those who need it.”
Senator Kim started his day with a tour of AtlantiCare, a nursing home alternative which serves Atlantic and Cape May County seniors. He was joined by President and CEO Michael Charlton for a roundtable discussion with healthcare professionals, care recipients, and their families to learn about AtlantiCare’s Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Senator Kim also heard directly about challenges in accessing and providing care for seniors, an issue he has personally experiencedafter recently becoming the primary caregiver to his father who has Alzheimer’s.
“Senator Kim’s visit to AtlantiCare, our Federally Qualified Health Center, and our PACE program highlights the strength of community-based care in meeting people where they are,”said Michael Charlton, President and CEO, AtlantiCare.“We are proud to be a national leader in delivering integrated, compassionate services that improve access, support healthier lives and help families and seniors receive the care they need with dignity. This is the vision of the future for healthcare rooted in community, driven by innovation, and focused on better outcomes for every patient we serve.”
Later in the morning, Senator Kim met with students and faculty of Atlantic Cape Community College’s Atlantic City campus, including President Barbara Gaba. A campus focused on workforce development, Senator Kim ended his visit with a conversation with non-traditional students. He heard about how these students utilize the hands-on training programs to prepare for their futures while navigating their responsibilities at home.
“The highlight of the visit was Senator Kim’s meeting with our students. They spoke candidly about what’s impacting their lives, and Senator Kim listened with intention,”said Dr. Barbara Gaba, President, Atlantic Cape Community College.“At Atlantic Cape, this is exactly the kind of exchange we champion – where students are heard, and real conversations happen.”
Senator Kim spent the afternoon with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission – an organization that in on the frontline of Atlantic City’s housing crisis. He toured the facility and spoke with staff on the challenges they face. Following a severe winter that consistently triggeredCode Blue emergencies, Senator Kim discussed the additional support needed for the Rescue Mission to better provide life-saving protections for the homeless population across Atlantic City.
“Every person who comes to us carries a unique story – our role is to meet them where they are, understand their challenges, and walk with them toward stability, healing, and independence,”said Dan Brown, CEO and President of Atlantic City Rescue Mission.“We are deeply grateful for everyone who stands with us, including Senator Kim – but there is more work to be done. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community is overlooked or left behind.”
And to round out his day, Senator Kim sat and answered questions at New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s ReNew Business Summit where he discussed his vision for New Jersey’s business sector, using combined strengths of the state’s private and public companies to make New Jersey the top state for innovation in the years to come.
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