Jewish Women’s Foundation appoints new director, awards $152,246 in grants

THE JEWISH WOMEN’S FOUNDATION of New Jersey (JWFNJ), a donor-advised fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, has awarded $152,246 in grants to seven local nonprofit organizations that work to transform the lives of women and girls. Since its formation in 2007, JWFNJ has awarded grants to approximately 70 organizations in New Jersey and Israel, totaling more than $1 million. The trustees of JWFNJ also announced the appointment of Cheryl Rosario as the foundation’s new director.

The 2019-2020 grants awarded are as follows:

Disability

ECLC Foundation, Chatham — $9,000 for programs that decrease the vulnerability of women with developmental disabilities and help them make informed decisions about their sexual health.

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Employment

Oasis–A Haven for Women and Children, Paterson — $20,000 for Oasis Works, which provides impoverished women with marketable skills.

Gender-based violence

Ironbound Community Corporation, Newark — $30,000 for Breaking the Cycle program that educates girls ages 10-14 on healthy relationships and making positive choices to help break the cycle of abuse.

Health

College of American Pathologists Foundation, Newark — $12,640 for the See, Test & Treat program providing preventative screening to individuals who face barriers to traditional screening programs.

Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Hillside — $30,000 for Community Food Bank Period Initiative, a menstrual equity program ensuring monthly period supplies for girls and women in need.

Israel

Jewish Women’s Collaborative International Fund — $10,000 over two years to support economic parity for women who are contract workers in Israel. This collaborative project is funded by Jewish Women’s Foundations/Funds of North America and Israel.

Legal

Partners for Women and Justice, Bloomfield — $20,000 to advocate for domestic violence victims by creating a more risk-informed approach with courts and establishing equitable child support for victims.

Music

Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains — $30,000 for the Voices of Valor Program focused on issues affecting women veterans.

“JWFNJ is a great example of the impact you can have on communities when you pool together the financial resources of strong women who have authentic passion for the work and the lives they impact,” said Cheryl Rosario of Westfield, JWFNJ’s new executive director. Rosario — who has experience in corporate social responsibility, foundations, and nonprofits — owns a business in the philanthropic and diversity space. She will aid JWFNJ in combining its resources and energy to ensure a meaningful and lasting impact in communities throughout New Jersey.

“I’m very impressed with JWFNJ’s desire to fund visionary programs and take some risks to make a real sustainable difference all through a gender lens,” she said.

For information about JWFNJ and the programs it supports, visit jwfnj.org.