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Sandy Support Available
The Long Term Recovery Group, consisting of a large number of non-profit organizations active in Sandy recovery efforts, carefully consider applications for grants by Hurricane Sandy survivors. Examples of UWCJ funded support:
- reimbursement for roof repair for a family in Perth Amboy
- funding for bunk beds and other furnishings
- security deposit and first month rent for a number of survivors forced to find accommodations
- funding for legal services provided to survivors facing eviction due to disputes with landlords or disputes with contractors performing rehabilitation.
If you would like to make an application, contact the Long Term Recovery Group - 732 390-7074.
Volunteers from World Renew are performing long term recovery assessments with Middlesex County residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.
This is a great opportunity to request help for recovery needs. Please call the Long Term Recovery Center 732 390-7074 for dates and times.
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UWCJ After-School Program Results
An increase was reported for 91% of the participants in an after-school program initiated by United Way for First and Second Graders identified by teachers and/or parents to be struggling with reading and literacy.
September - March 2013
Source: Columbus School
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North Brunswick Town Summit
Launches Early Literacy Initiative
Dr. Steve Barnett, a Board of Governors Professor and Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University, spoke to an audience representing a cross section of North Brunswick Township leaders. Members of the Borough Council, Board of Education, Police, Teachers, representatives from the Library and School Administration and many others gathered to discuss how to increase early literacy in Township elementary schools.
Early literacy is a bench mark for later school success. Those who cannot read by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of High School.
United Way is working across the country to mobilize communities to address the issue with cross-sector strategies. This initiative in North Brunswick, launched in June, will draw on all parts of the community to staff work groups to address the underlying causes of literacy.
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Join UWCJ August 24th, 11-2pm to help Stuff the Bus with school supplies at Target, 400 Ryders Lane, Milltown, NJ.
Face painting, sand art, crafts, hot dogs and drinks!
Music by 101.5 FM.
Each year, UWCJ contacts elementary schools in Central Jersey to determine the number of students enrolled in the Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program. School supplies are provided to each school based on these numbers - but only if you donate the supplies!
There are over 30,000 elementary students in our area whose family income is low enough to qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program. The Stuff the Bus school supplies you donate can save money for the family to use on other badly needed items, and help children to start the year with the supplies they need.
Please call Patricia Desiderio at 732 247-3727 or email pdesiderio@uwcj.org to donate or visit:
https://www.uwcj.org/pdf/StufftheBus2013.pdf
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Parent-Child Home Program Recruiting AmeriCorps Home Visitors
Full-time (35 hours/week) September 2013 - August 2014 Spanish Speakers Needed! Call Sara Spatz for More Information: 732 247-3727 Program Description: The parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) is a national research-validated early literacy and school readiness program that improves the school success rate of at-risk children. The Program is offered at no cost to the client, participation is voluntary and families keep program materials including 23 educational books and toys. Enrollment is limited to families with a child between the ages of 16 months to 3 years. To Qualify: Candidate must be at least 18 years old, must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident and must have a NJ Drivers License and have transportation to travel to clients' homes. |
UWCJ Participating in National Research to Evaluate Home Visitation Programs
UWCJ's Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program has been selected to participate in a national research study designed to provide input into the national debate about policies and practices designed to improve the well-being of at-risk families and children. The study will systematically gather standard information about over 5,000 families to analyze the effects of home visiting programs across populations and analyze the economic costs of operating home visiting programs. Most critically, this study answers the call from legislators for ongoing research to inform federal funding of home visiting programs. |
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 Volunteers in Action
Employees at Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems in Piscataway are focusing on closing the academic achievement gap.
They raised donations of over 700 new and slightly used books to be used to promote reading skills among students in Piscataway Schools.
Their next project will be to create Literacy Kits to promote reading at home.
UWCJ thanks and recognizes the efforts of J&J employees to support the communities where they live and work. | |
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June 21st Day of Action
Volunteers participated in United Way's annual Day of Action by helping low-income children prepare for school success.
Reading that engages a child can help foster a lifelong love of books and help to develop verbal skills.
Thanks to the volunteers who supported the future of our community by helping kids succeed!
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If you would like to arrange a volunteer activity, please call Charmaine Rodriguez at 732 247-3727
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Putting Money into the Pockets of the Needy
UWCJ generated $674,591 in tax refunds with the help of volunteers and staff who prepared over 650 tax returns for low income workers.
As a result of a collaboration with the IRS, UWCJ's team held tax preparation sessions in 11 different locations including Perth Amboy where there are more low-income households than any other township in Middlesex County.
If you would like to volunteer for the tax preparation training, please contact Charmaine Rodriguez at crodriguez@uwcj.org
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Improving People's Health
The majority of investments made by UWCJ fall into Health-related programs from domestic violence to preventive health services and low-income, at-risk maternal home visitation services.
The cost of remedial health services is so high that the return on investment in preventive care is enormous.
For example, by investing in maternal and infant health among low-income, at-risk populations, United Way of Central Jersey is generating decades of health savings.
UWCJ launched a "Healthy Weekend Food Program" for 87 first and second graders at the Columbus School in Carteret. Food packages were also distributed to about 700 elementary school students receiving free and reduced price lunch in Piscataway.
To help continue this program during the next school year, please contact June Launay at 732 247-3727 or jlaunay@uwcj.org. For $192, you can provide a snack pack each weekend during the school year for a food insecure child.
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Affordable Care Act 101
A conference for Social Workers, Hospital Staff, Public Library Staff and others who may engage with 950,000+ uninsured New Jersey residents becoming eligible to buy health insurance on January 1, 2014 under the Affordable care Act, was attended by over 125 at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville.
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Thank you to L'Oreal
Gift bags of personal hygiene care items were provided by L'Oreal in Monmouth Junction as part of their annual
Volunteer Day activities.
UWCJ distributed the gift bags to individuals in residence at women's shelters, family shelters and the Roosevelt long-term care facility in Central Jersey.
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