Foundation awards $10k to groups benefiting women, girls

BETTERING THE LIVES of women and girls is the aim of programs from five local nonprofits that have received competitive grants from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey (JWFNJ).

Since its formation in 2007, the JWFNJ, a donor-advised fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, has awarded grants, totaling more than $1 million, to approximately 70 organizations in New Jersey and Israel.

The small grants awarded for 2020-21 are as follows:

Environmental: Ironbound Community Corporation, Newark — $2,500 for the Environmental Justice Leadership Institute, a program that aims to cultivate women community leaders in addressing environmental justice issues in their communities. 

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Older Adults: Daughters of Israel, West
Orange — $1,800 for a “Makeover and Massage Event” for female residents of the senior care facility to help improve their sense of well-being.

Self-Esteem: Oasis, Paterson — $2,500 for an afterschool academy and teen program focused on empowering girls to build courage, confidence, and character.

Sexual Health: Planned Parenthood, Newark — $700 for its Living Room Series, an educational initiative focused on girls and their mothers or caregivers to talk openly about sexuality in a comfortable space.

STEM: Sister to Sister of Montclair Mentoring Group, Montclair — $2,500 for its Sister to Sister College Advocacy and Technology Initiative, an afterschool program that introduces girls to the field of technology and incorporates a college tour to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.

“We were thrilled to get so many innovative proposals this cycle. The work our partners in the nonprofit field are doing is to be commended,” said Judy Skillman of Florham Park.

“We are confident that the seed money through our small-grants cycle will play a significant part in helping women and girls across New Jersey thrive,” said Judy Auerbach-Adamo of Fort Lee. Both women are JWFNJ trustees and cochairs of its grants committee.

For information, visit jwfnj.org.