Church World Service (CWS) is an international organization that is proud to have an office in Jersey City. CWS provides case management and employment services for newly arrived refugees to build a foundation for long-term self-sufficiency and success in the United States. The Partnership was happy to be able to provide one of our 2018 Mini-Grants to CWS. We asked all of our mini-grantees  the same questions about the work that they do, here's how CWS responded: What does building a culture of health mean to you? That all residents, regardless of how long they have lived in Jersey City or what language they speak, feel that they have the tools and resources to stay healthy, both in mind and body. What would you identify as your most significant accomplishment so far towards building a greater culture of health? What have been some of your toughest barriers? We are working [...]

Haven Adolescent Community Respite Center is a youth- and family-focused organization that that provides support services in times of domestic conflict. Haven is focused on keeping teens safe and providing them with access to opportunities to develop personally via counseling, peer mentorship, and community service. The Partnership was proud to award Haven with one of our 2018 mini-grants. We asked them the same five questions we asked our other grantees, here's how they answered: What does building a culture of health mean to you? Building a culture of health in Jersey City is about building a community conversation about how to support resilient families for Haven. When families with teens have the support they need, teens stay safe even when there is conflict at home. What would you identify as your most significant accomplishment so far towards building a greater culture of health? What have been some of your toughest barriers? [...]

The Riverview Neighborhood Association is dedicated to promoting a sense of community among their neighbors, and is dedicated to improving the greater Jersey City community as a whole. They manage Ogden's End Community Garden, which is both beautiful and food-bearing. We asked them the same five questions as the rest of our 2018 mini-grantees, here's how they responded:  What does building a culture of health mean to you? Building a culture of health means you are creating a structure of organizations including public, private, and non-profit organizations that, through teamwork and good communication, in turn identify and grow the policies that will provide a healthier result for those individuals and groups in need of healthier outcomes. What would you identify as your most significant accomplishment so far towards building a greater culture of health? What have been some of your toughest barriers? We have engaged some members of the community [...]

In 2018, the Partnership awarded mini-grants  to 11 community-based organizations throughout Jersey City. We're happy to feature each of them in a series of blog posts to help spread the word about the good work that they're doing. The Character Enrichment Society (CES) is a youth service organization with a vision to build a healthy relationship with the community that supports local youth to help them achieve their goals. We asked them to answer a few questions about their role in the local community and the Partnership for a Healthier JC. Here are their responses: What does "building a culture of health" mean to you? We constantly encourage the children to think healthy, eat healthy, and make good choices that can lead to a healthy lifestyle What would you identify as your most significant accomplishments so far towards building a greater culture of health? What have been some of your [...]

New Immigrant Affairs Division Director reflects on his 100th day on the job This blog Post was gust authored by Michael McLean, Director of Jersey City's Division of Immigrant Affairs. Last week I looked out at a group of nearly one hundred lawyers, social workers, teachers, and volunteers, all of them ready to roll up their sleeves to assist and empower immigrants. It was the Jersey City Immigrant Affairs Symposium, and it felt like nothing could stop us from making our city a haven for refugees, aslyees, and other vulnerable newcomers. I felt the electricity of the room, but I wasn’t in the audience. I was standing at the podium. When Jersey City created the Division of Immigrant Affairs, it looked to our community of helper-advocates to be the director. Pulling a leader from the trenches, I’m the guy they found—a high school teacher who’s spent a decade [...]