The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey Approves $721,500 in Grants to Community Organizations

On May 17, 2017

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, in its first round of grants for 2017, awarded $721,500 to 19 non-profit organizations for health and cultural programs throughout New Jersey. The Foundation – the philanthropy arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) – has awarded 1,338 grants totaling more than $48.5 million since its inception in 2004.

“The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is proud to support community-based organizations that are transforming the lives of residents through programs which are making individuals healthier and improving the quality of life in the communities Horizon serves,” said Robert A. Marino, Horizon BCBSNJ Chairman & CEO and The Horizon Foundation Board Chairman.

The Foundation awarded the following grants in the first of three funding rounds for 2017:

• All Saints Community Service and Development Corporation, in Hoboken, received a $15,000 grant to support its Fresh and Fit health education program for young people and families.  The project engages low-income community members in activities that promote and encourage health and wellness to prevent and reduce obesity.
• Cape May County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, in Wildwood, received a $25,000 grant to support the Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE), which provides health education workshops for senior citizens on such topics as managing chronic conditions, safe use of medications, completing health-related forms, and having productive discussions with their doctor.
• Children’s Aid and Family Services, in Paramus, received a $25,000 grant to support the Youth Support Outreach Project, which provide teens and young adults transitioning from foster homes with case management, prevention and wellness education and services, and assistance for accessing healthcare.
• Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, in Camden, received a $50,000 grant to support the 2017 Horizon Healthy Series at Roosevelt Plaza Park.  The grant will enable Cooper’s Ferry to provide programming at the Park that promotes physical, health, and wellness activities for Camden residents.
• Diabetes Foundation, in Paramus, received a $15,000 grant to support Commit to Change, a diabetes education program, which will teach clients how to manage their diabetes.  Group meetings will provide presentations on diabetes management, professional advice, and peer support. One-on-one consultations with dieticians and diabetes educators will also be provided.
• Garden State Equality Education Fund, in Asbury Park, received a $25,000 grant to support the Map + Expand LGBT Health Services in New Jersey project, which will measure the availability of health service providers who are clinically and culturally competent to work effectively with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, as well as explore ways to expand the availability of such providers.
• George Street Playhouse, in New Brunswick, received a $22,500 grant to support the commission and workshop production of a touring musical drama focused on the challenges and consequences of opioid addiction and its impact on children and families.  This musical drama for grades 7-12 will be presented as a cautionary tale with the key message that individuals have the power to make positive behavioral decisions to avoid or to overcome addiction.
• HOPES Community Action Partnership, in Hoboken, received a $20,000 grant to support the HOPES On the Road for Healthier Homes program, which provides health education workshops, one-on-one counseling, and home-based health services for low-income, disabled, and senior populations in Hudson, Somerset and Union counties.
• Hopeworks ‘N Camden, in Camden, received a $20,000 grant to support the Camden Get Moving project, which will use data mapping capabilities to map all of the places and opportunities for healthy, safe exercise in Camden.  The project will also create a searchable web tool, allowing residents to find attractions, maps of possible exercise routes, and to give them the availability to create their own exercise plan
• Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, in Margate City, received a $25,000 grant to support the JFS Wellness Network, which is a program that promotes access to care and patients’ adherence to actions that will improve health outcomes for residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties.  The program will target residents who have a chronic disease, are heavy users of the medical system, and those who may have behavioral challenges.
• Literacy New Jersey, in Edison, received an $11,000 grant to support its Adult Health Literacy initiative.  Participants in their Health Literacy ESL conversation groups across the state will be educated about a variety of health topics, such as nutrition, how to speak with your doctor and understanding medicine labels.
• Millhill Child & Family Development Corporation, in Trenton, received an $11,000 grant to support the Medical Home Link and Health Literacy program, which provides children and families with the tools needed to lead healthy lives.  The program provides easy access to developmental and behavioral health care screenings along with public health interventions and health literacy education.
• Newark School of the Arts, in Newark, received a $10,000 general operating support grant to develop the artistic skills of students and prepare those who have the requisite artistic talent for a career in the arts; develop audiences through the School’s performances; enhance individual’s understanding and appreciation of music, dance, drama and visual arts; and, ensure access to arts activities for everyone.
• New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, in Princeton, received a $72,000 grant to support the expansion of Conversation of Your Life, which is a program that addresses the lack of advanced care planning by New Jersey citizens, with the goal of increasing the number of residents who have expressed their end-of-life wishes through advanced directives.
• New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, in Trenton, received a $50,000 grant to support recruiting, enrolling, and providing technical assistance for two Newark corner stores to participate in the New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Initiative.  The Initiative connects corner store owners and community partners with the resources they need to increase availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods in corner stores throughout the state.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, in Millburn, received a $250,000 grant to support the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall Series, which is a prevention initiative to raise awareness and educate the public about the opioid epidemic and to collect and disseminate best practices to address it. The initiative will include 17 two-hour town hall meetings in the counties most heavily impacted by the epidemic with special attention given to 45 towns with the most reported abuse cases.
• Philip’s Education Partners, in Newark, received a $30,000 grant to support the EcoSpaces Education program, which provides a multidimensional, co-curricular program on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity that incorporates a rooftop garden, teaching kitchen, indoor farming lab, and a healthy lunch program.
• Symphony in C, in Collingswood, received a $20,000 general operating support grant to fund the Symphony’s educational outreach programs. The grant will also support scholarships for disadvantaged students from Camden and the region to attend the orchestra’s summer camp and participate in its youth orchestra.
• YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, in Mount Laurel, received a $25,000 grant to expand the Watershed Education by Bicycles (WEB) program to a YMCA after school program in the City of Camden. The program promotes physical activity through bicycling, nutrition education, environmental education, and includes community engagement events and a mentoring program.  The new nutrition education component will also be implemented in all other WEB sites throughout Burlington and Camden counties.

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