New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha announced today that nearly $4 million in state grants have been awarded to local governments and community organizations. The funding is dedicated to launching new initiatives that combat social isolation among older adults and individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are homebound or living in institutional settings.
The funding, distributed through the Senior Wellness Pilot Program Grants, aims to promote active social engagement, improve overall well-being, and generate data to guide future state programs.
According to the 2023 New Jersey Social Isolation Study, an estimated 44 percent of the state’s older adult population experiences social isolation. Factors such as low income and a lack of reliable transportation heavily exacerbate the issue, which often results in severe physical and mental health decline.
“We recognize the profound effects isolation can have on an individual’s physical and mental well-being,” Commissioner Cha said. “These initiatives will create opportunities for social inclusion and engagement in communities across the State, helping older residents and those with disabilities stay connected, reduce isolation, and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
Deputy Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire noted that the state received a phenomenal response to the grant opportunity, highlighting the deep commitment of local leaders to solve these challenges with innovative solutions.
A total of 18 organizations across New Jersey were awarded funding to scale existing programs or pilot new initiatives. Major recipients include:
| Organization | Funding | Core Initiative |
| Korean Community Services of Metropolitan NY, Inc. | $250,000 | NJ Wellness Senior Initiative: Culturally-responsive outreach for immigrant and limited-English proficient seniors in Bergen County to overcome linguistic barriers. |
| Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Inc. | $250,000 | Senior Community Companions Program: Pairing isolated Ocean County seniors with trained peer companions for wellness checks and home visits. |
| Family & Children’s Service Inc. of Monmouth County | $250,000 | Expanding an In-Home Recreation program to bring tailored social engagement directly to homebound adults. |
| TASK, Inc. | $250,000 | Leveraging a network of 50 meal sites, senior housing, and food trucks to provide arts programming and intergenerational volunteer events. |
| Leonia & Red Bank Municipalities | $250,000 each | Deploying comprehensive community programs, including accessible transportation, regional field trips, creative workshops, and partnerships with local police departments (Operation Blue Angel). |
Other local recipients include Bergen Family Center ($250k), Children’s Aid and Family Services ($250k), Lakewood Community Services Corp ($250k), HOPES Community Action Partnership ($250k), Center for Family Services ($250k), Jewish Family Service & Children’s Center of Clifton-Passaic ($250k), Jersey Cares ($249,794), Community Services of Ocean County ($148,071), Raritan Valley YMCA ($142,550), Township of Bloomfield ($117,600), Union City ($115,355), and the Adult Day Center of Somerset County ($61,777).
The grant rollouts align directly with the New Jersey Age-Friendly Blueprint published in 2024, which identifies social participation as one of the top six vital categories for integrating older residents into the modern fabric of society.
Division of Aging Services Assistant Commissioner Louise Rush expressed optimism for the upcoming rollout, emphasizing that staying socially active is fundamental to supporting public health across the Garden State.
