The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Second Cycle 2018 Major Grants, totaling $140,000 for projects and programs across New Jersey.

A Major Grant funds projects and/or programs that address one or more of PBF’s funding priority areas – Community Enrichment, Education and Health, Youth and Families. Major Grants provide between $5,000 and $25,000 in funding, and support organizations that have identified an immediate need in the community and the individuals they serve.

“The projects and programs selected to receive this year’s second cycle of Major Grants provide everything from academic and career support, to safety, health and self-sufficiency – all of which will improve quality of life for individuals and families in New Jersey,” said Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. “The recipients provide a variety of resources – tools, knowledge, programming – that will fulfill important needs in the communities served by Provident Bank.”

The recipients of PBF’s Second Cycle 2018 Major Grants are as follows:

The Arc of New Jersey (Middlesex County) — $7,500 in funding will support the organization’s efforts to provide information, referrals, resources and advocacy to families struggling to care for a child or adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each year the two staff members of The Arc Family Institute assist more than 5,000 families to get the help they need. They ensure that families acquire the tools necessary to continue to be strong advocates for their loved ones in the future.

Felician University (Bergen County) — $15,000 in funding will support significant operational and programmatic enhancements to the Internship Program and Internship Fund of the university’s Career Development Center (CDC). The grant will help to offset the costs of disbursing stipends to qualified students interning with businesses or organizations unable to provide compensation, upgrading the software used to facilitate the program, and increasing the number of educational workshops and trainings provided by the CDC.

Fulfill (Monmouth County) — $20,000 in funding will support Fulfill’s Culinary Training Program with After School Meals. This program provides free job training to low-income adults so they can earn a sufficient income, access career opportunities with advancement, and achieve financial security. It also provides daily nutritious meals to 325 low-income children at six after-school programs in Red Bank, Neptune, Asbury Park, and Toms River.

Habitat for Humanity Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County (Middlesex County) — $25,000 in funding will support the construction of a new Habitat Home in Perth Amboy, NJ. Through the Habitat model, families partner with the organization to build and purchase their own home with an affordable mortgage. The plan for this home is to serve a family that has successfully participated in Perth Amboy’s Family Self Sufficiency Program, providing them with a future full of opportunity.

Newark Alliance (Essex County) — $10,000 in funding will support the CareerWorks program which prepares low-income and unemployed adults for in-demand occupations and connects them to high quality employment within the Greater Newark region. The grant will support the delivery of direct service hard-skills training through the Diesel Technician Training Program. Funding will also support the launch of a Regional Jobs Bank that will provide jobseekers in and around the Newark/Elizabeth Seaport with equitable access to employment and the port-related economy.

Newark Emergency Services for Families (Essex County) — $7,500 in funding will support the Weequahic Family Success Center (FSC), a one-stop comprehensive resource center that promotes family unity and empowerment. The FSC provides wrap-around resources and supports for families before they find themselves in crisis. The Weequahic Family Success Center offers primary and secondary child abuse prevention services to families and brings together concerned community residents, leaders, and community agencies to address the problems that threaten the safety and stability of families and the community.

Oceans Harbor House (Ocean County) — $7,500 in funding will support the enhancement and expansion of its two residential facilities for homeless youth: The Shelter and the Transitional Living Program (TLP). Both housing facilities, featuring 12 beds, provide services for homeless, at-risk youth, ages 10-21. These include emergency/transitional housing, food, clothing, medical services, transportation, education, as well as individual and family counseling and other services.

Palisades Medical Center (Hudson County) — $10,000 in funding will support The Palisades Community Outreach Program which addresses the healthcare challenges of lower-income, largely Spanish-speaking families by providing healthcare screening and education. Funding will help offset the costs of critical HgA1c diabetes testing at healthcare screening events. The program is expected to impact approximately 1,400 individuals in a 12-month period.

Philip’s Education Partners (Essex County) — $7,500 in funding will support the addition of two Kindergarten classes in Fall 2018 at Philip’s Academy Charter School. Funds will be used to equip new classrooms with the tools to create flexible and innovative learning environments. Specifically, leveled-book systems will provide students with a rich variety of genres, styles, and interests that provide a challenging and instructional reading experience.

Summit Medical Group Foundation (Essex County) — $10,000 of funding will support a part-time Medical Assistant working with SMGF's Clinical Director and Summit Medical Group physicians and nurses. The Medical Assistant will work with physicians and nurses to provide medical screening and education for under-served individuals with diabetes/pre-diabetes, hypertension, high Body Mass Index (BMI), or asthma. This will include face-to-face interaction with a nurse or doctor, including reviewing screening results, encouraging participation in educational opportunities, and access to free farmer’s markets for healthier foods.

Vantage Health System (Bergen County) — $10,000 in funding will support personnel costs to increase capacity of the Integrated Care Services: Behavioral Health Home (BHH) program. To date, this program has improved the quality of life and health for 35 individuals with both a serious mental illness and co-occurring physical health condition. The program increases access to primary care, reduces ER visits, and improves overall health outcomes. The funding will increase the capacity of BHH so that more individuals can be served.

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (Hudson County) — $10,000 in funding will support The Children’s Representation Program (CRP). The CRP transforms the futures of children, their families, and their communities by providing free legal services so students can get the education to which they are entitled and deserve. The CRP pairs trained attorneys with parents/caretakers of children with disabilities who require assistance gaining access to special educational services, children who are victims of harassment and/or bullying, and homeless children facing education issues. CRP attorneys will conduct know-your-rights legal seminars and provide full legal services to families in Jersey City.

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 with the intent of supporting not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide valuable services to the communities served by Provident Bank. PBF is committed to strengthening and sustaining its relationships with communities in the bank’s marketplace.

For more information and guidelines on these funding opportunities, visit www.theprovidentbankfoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.

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About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $23 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information, visit www.theprovidentbankfoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.