The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey (JWF-NJ), a giving circle of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, recently awarded more than $41,000 to five local nonprofit organizations that are working to positively impact women and girls, and to two organizations in Israel that are helping women deal with trauma in the wake of the Hamas attacks.
$9,000 will be directed to Partners of Fallen IDF Soldiers. Although the army provides financial and emotional support to spouses of Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in action, it does not extend services to girlfriends and fiancées. This organization provides group and individual counseling to the affected young woman and to her parent/s (to help their daughter navigate her loss). Since October 7th, 151 new partners have been identified, 2 new support groups have been opened (with 3 more starting soon), and 70 partners have begun receiving individual therapy. An additional $9,000 will go to the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI). All 9 centers affiliated with this network have significantly increased counseling services for female survivors who were triggered by reading reports in the press, or seeing videos on social media, of Hamas terrorists sexually assaulting women.
Locally, the trustees approved $23,792 in grants to support Impact projects including:
- $5,000 – Girls in Gear in Essex County for “Girls in Gear; Geared Up in Essex County!” Project will fund scholarships for 70 girls to learn bike riding alongside Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills.
- $5,000 – Moms Helping Moms Foundation in Warren, NJ for “Safe Start.” Project will fund approximately 70 new car seats to serve mothers and their babies/toddlers.
- $3,792 – RENEW Life Center in Paterson, NJ for “Equipment for Career Development Program.” Project will fund tech equipment for a career development program for women in Spanish.
- $5,000 – Turning Point Community Services in Irvington, NJ for “Bed Bug Protective Waterproof Foam Mattresses for Women’s Shelter in Irvington, NJ.” Project will provide 25 mattresses to a shelter that serves 125 mothers and their children.
- $5,000 – YWCA of Eastern Union County in Elizabeth, NJ for “Urgent Transportation Support for Domestic Violence Survivors.” Project will fund public transportation for 64 women over the course of the year so that they can attend crucial legal meetings, mental health appointments, etc.
Since its formation in 2007, JWF-NJ has awarded grants to more than 85 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 million. If you are interested in learning more about the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey and its mission of “Giving Together, Granting for Change, ” please see the website at https://jwfnj.org.