18 nonprofit organizations that are difference-makers in South Jersey.
Nonprofits are truly the heart of a community. They help the less fortunate, provide support and resources to those who need it, and strive to make the lives better of every individual they are connected with—ultimately making their community stronger and bringing everyone together to make a difference. Each organization listed below goes above and beyond for the greater good and we are honored to feature them in our nonprofit stars of 2019.
Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development, Inc. (MEND)
MEND is a private, nonprofit developer dedicated to providing safe and affordable rental housing to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and families of low and moderate income. Celebrating its 50th year, MEND has developed 770 residential units at 30 locations in Burlington County and has earned eight regional and national awards for its projects.
The South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition
The South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition (SJBCC) was formed in 1997 by a group of survivors and serves as patient advocates to promote legislation that supports funding of breast cancer research, eliminating health care disparities, reducing barriers to quality health care and providing resources to patients and their families. The SJBCC is run solely by volunteers and all donations go directly to the clients they serve.
Volunteers of America, Delaware Valley
Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) is headquartered in Camden and a local affiliate of the national, non-profit organization. VOADV provides essential services to the community’s most vulnerable individuals, and each year serves more than 13,000 individuals throughout South Jersey and the Philadelphia region, operating more than 40 high-quality, outcome-driven assistance programs—from homelessness, reentry, veterans assistance and affordable housing services to specialized programs for addiction, traumatic brain injury and intellectual disabilities.
Bancroft
Bancroft is a leading nonprofit provider of specialized services for individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disability, and brain injury. Through innovative programs supporting people during each stage of life, Bancroft fosters greater independence and community integration, allowing each person to live a more fulfilling life. Programs include special education, structured day and residential programs, vocational training and supported employment.
South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals
South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals is South Jersey’s only nonprofit organization of collaboratively trained professionals for families seeking a peaceful, respectful, fair and professional process for resolving divorce and family law disputes out of court. The organization focuses on shielding children from trauma, preserving a co-parenting relationship, maintaining privacy, maximizing efficiency and minimizing cost. Its goal is to change the way people divorce in South Jersey to strive for a more amicable, peaceful and less costly divorce.
New Jersey Community Capital
New Jersey Community Capital is a non-profit community development financial institution providing innovative financing and technical assistance to support sustainable community development ventures that develop and preserve affordable housing, increase jobs, improve educational opportunities, and strengthen neighborhoods to ensure that communities can thrive.
THRIVE South Jersey, an initiative of New Jersey Community Capital, deploys flexible, affordable capital and technical assistance to small businesses and community projects that create sustained economic opportunities in South Jersey. THRIVE launched in 2014 through a $4 million grant from the Pascale Sykes Foundation.
Impact100
Impact100 South Jersey is a women’s collective giving group that has awarded $229,000 to local nonprofits since 2017. Its goal is to have at least 100 women each contribute $1,000 so they can award a $100,000 grant to an organization serving Burlington, Camden, Cumberland or Gloucester county. Transformative grants have been awarded to Hopeworks ‘N Camden and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties. Ronald McDonald House Southern New Jersey and The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ have each received smaller general operating grants.
The Community Foundation of South Jersey
The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) envisions an eight-county region thriving where all neighbors aspire, succeed, participate and give. The vision is realized as CFSJ inspires generosity, manages and deploys permanent charitable assets and exercises leadership to create a more equitable region. Its mission is delivered through three lines of business: donor services, impactful grant making working with donors and community leadership. Leadership includes the Transform South Jersey initiative to connect people with what they love most about their town, to turn personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for prosperity and future community decisions.
The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ
The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ has served communities of all cultures and languages since 1976. Its mission is to provide the community with a broad range of culturally relevant social service and advocacy programs that promote and encourage empowerment and self-sufficiency.
This is achieved through behavioral health services, health education and prevention, family support and strengthening, energy assistance, English as a second language classes and workforce development.
Zefer Foundation
The Zefer Foundation’s mission is to aid the intellectually and developmentally disabled and create opportunities for inclusion and diversity in employment, housing and recreation. Breaking Grounds Coffee and Café in Mount Holly, owned by the Zefer Foundation, employs adults with developmental disabilities and hosts vocational rehabilitation for local students. The Zefer Foundation also opened Zefer Arts Alliance across the street from Breaking Grounds Coffee and Café to provide inclusion art classes.
Ronald McDonald House Southern New Jersey
For 36 years, Ronald McDonald House Southern New Jersey (RMHSNJ) has been a home away from home for more than 29,000 families whose children require life-saving treatments for critical illnesses and injuries. RMHSNJ provides comfortable bedrooms, nourishing meals, transportation to hospitals and caring volunteers and staff so parents can focus on the health of their child.
Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative
Since 1982, the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative (SNJPC) has been at the forefront of building a healthier future for South Jersey families, offering a comprehensive array of programs to address critical issues such as infant mortality, lead poisoning, child development, prenatal substance use, teen vaping and teen pregnancy. SNJPC works to improve the system of care while also empowering families with the tools to lead healthier lives.
Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County and Greater Trenton-Princeton
Habitat for Humanity empowers families and assists them in securing their own homes, transforms neighborhoods with new and repaired houses, improves the quality of life within the communities served, and positively affects the lives of partner families, volunteers and supporters through their connection with the organization. Over the past 32 years, Habitat for Humanity has built and repaired over 150 homes throughout the Burlington and Mercer area, serving 49 cities and over 750,000 residents.
Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey
The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and its family of agencies care for those in need, enhance Jewish life and ensure the continuity of a vibrant Jewish community locally, in Israel and in 70 other countries around the world. The organization provides programs and services for children, teens, older adults and individuals with special needs, such as counseling, food assistance, low- and moderate-income housing, social, cultural and recreational programs, Jewish education and Israel advocacy.
Say It With Clay
Say It With Clay utilizes a hands-on approach, using clay to offer people with diverse special needs effective alternative channels for communication. Its mission is to help them benefit from the therapeutic power of clay with assistance from artist therapists, special education art teachers and an occupational therapist to help them create pride, success and motivational healing.
Financial Wellness Institute
Financial Wellness Institute’s mission is to strengthen individuals and families, and empower communities toward economic stability. The organization’s goal is to change its clients’ financial behavior in a way that encourages them to make a commitment to increasing their income, decreasing expenses, acquiring assets and obtaining stable housing, and to be good providers for themselves, their families and communities.
Mid-Atlantic States and Career and Education Center focuses on building community partnerships, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families, providing career and job skill development for disadvantaged and disabled people and creating a stable and sustainable community.
Virtua Health (Foundation) Virtua Health is a not-for-profit health care system committed to improving the health and wellness of South Jersey. Through Virtua Foundation, the organization partners with grateful patients and families, community organizations, corporations, leaders and individuals to turn their gratitude and kindness into an investment for good. Driven by a love for humankind, Virtua’s philanthropic partners help to create, sustain and enhance innovative programs and services that address the most serious health needs of the community.
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Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 9, Issue 11 (November 2019).
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Author: Julie Shannon