JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (June 24, 2026) — RWJBarnabas Health announced a combined $1.7 million investment to support local organizations working to address barriers to care, food insecurity, and economic stability among underserved communities in Jersey City and Hudson County. These grants are funded through RWJBarnabas Health’s Our Healthy Communities initiative and supported by state appropriations to address the social determinants of health to create stronger communities and improve health outcomes for residents.
“There are few better investments than the ones we can make in the communities we serve through the partners with whom we share common values,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Whether it is combatting food insecurity or eliminating barriers to social services and healthcare, these investments are driven by a shared mission of building and sustaining a healthier Hudson County and New Jersey. I thank County Executive Guy and his team for their efforts in making this day possible.”
“We are proud to support trusted organizations and programs across Hudson County as they continue their work to uplift residents in need and advance community health,” said Balpreet Grewal-Virk, PhD, Senior Vice President for Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health. “We are grateful to the State of New Jersey for supporting Our Healthy Communities and allowing us to meaningfully enhance access to care and resources where they are needed most, ensuring a healthier future for families across the state.”
Specifically, the funding will support:
• North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) – $450,000
Grant funds will help NHCAC build upon their mission to improve quality of life and address factors leading to poverty for residents across northern New Jersey. The funding supports a comprehensive health and social services initiative that will advance healthcare, food security, language access, housing stability, and transportation.
• Kearny Department of Public Health and Environmental Protection (KDPH) – $400,000
Grant funds will be used to improve resource navigation to connect residents of low socioeconomic status to preventative healthcare and social services. KDPH will also hire additional staff to promote community events and support seniors applying for Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and other assistance programs.
• Youth Foundation of Jersey City (YFOJC) – $400,000
Grant funds will allow YFOJC to expand and strengthen support systems across 15 Jersey City public schools. These support systems include food pantries, hygiene resources, and wellness programming to address food insecurity, economic hardship, and mental health challenges faced by Jersey City students.
• Hudson Pride Center – $450,000
Grant funds will support mental health and wellness initiatives while enhancing existing services and resources that expand access to care, strengthen youth development, and support future readiness.
“I want to personally thank RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan for his commitment to community-focused initiatives that strengthen and support our residents. By supporting programs that advance food security, housing, and access to healthcare, RWJBarnabas Health is demonstrating the power of partnership,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “This funding will play a crucial role in expanding essential services for residents in need, leaving a lasting impact on Hudson County.”
“Jersey City families deserve access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and the resources they need to thrive, and today’s investment from RWJBarnabas Health expands access to these services to so many more residents,” said Jersey City Mayor James Solomon. “From our public schools to our LGBTQ+ community to seniors navigating complex benefits systems, this $1.7 million reaches people where they are. We’re grateful for partners who understand that health doesn’t start and end in a hospital.”
Through Our Healthy Communities, RWJBarnabas Health is partnering with local leaders, health care providers, clergy, civic and community-based organizations to strengthen critical social and health care infrastructure and expand patient access to care, healthy foods, nutrition education, transportation, economic mobility, and stable housing. Through the community health resources from the State of New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health has reinvested more than $151 million in community health initiatives beyond traditional medical care to build and sustain long-term health for the residents and communities it serves.
“Investments like these strengthen the foundation of our communities and help ensure that families across Hudson County have access to the support and resources they need to thrive,” said Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian B. Stack. “I commend RWJBarnabas Health for continuing to step up as a true community partner by supporting organizations that are addressing food insecurity, expanding access to healthcare, and creating opportunities for residents to succeed. Together, we are making meaningful progress toward a healthier and more equitable future for all.”
“Thank you RWJBarnabas Health for understanding the needs of our residents for health care and social services,” said Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle. “Your grant will benefit those that struggle trying to navigate and receive assistance. This grant will play a critical part to ensuring essential services.”
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
