Statewide nonprofit Communities First Initiative (CFI) has been awarded a 2026 Neighborhood Partners Program grant from the PSEG Foundation to support Project Thrive, an initiative delivering fresh food, workforce readiness, and health resources directly to residents in affordable housing communities across New Jersey.
The funding will allow CFI to sustain its fresh food distribution networks while expanding on-site wraparound services aimed at bolstering financial independence, job training, chronic disease prevention, and community connection.
Project Thrive targets key Social Determinants of Health across low- and moderate-income neighborhoods through four primary pillars: Financial Independence and Job Readiness, Food Access and Security, Health and Wellness, and Social Integration.
To date, the initiative has reached more than 6,000 residents statewide, including:
- Fresh Produce Access: Distribution of 3,391 shares of farm-fresh, New Jersey-grown produce to families and seniors across Union, Mercer, and Monmouth counties.
- Financial & Workforce Literacy: Financial education delivered to 1,150 seniors, families, and individuals, alongside specialized career readiness programs for 91 young adults.
- Nutritional Guidance: Nutrition education workshops led by Karyn Moskowitz, Certified Plant-Based Nutritionist with Interfaith Neighbors, focusing on healthy meal preparation and food storage.
- Healthcare Screenings & Benefits Support: On-site blood pressure and glucose screenings provided by Hackensack Meridian Health and Capital Health, paired with direct application support from RWJBarnabas Health SNAP Navigators for over 120 residents.
“Project Thrive is about making essential services accessible in person, on-site and in seven languages to the low- and moderate-income people who need them most,” Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of Communities First Initiative, said. “Our mission is to provide residents with access to resources that support their health, financial independence, food security, and overall well-being. The support we have received from the PSEG Foundation allows us to continue this important work.”
The grant arrives as families across New Jersey continue to navigate heightened living costs and food insecurity.
“Many residents of New Jersey are still struggling to afford basic necessities,” Calvin Ledford Jr., President of the PSEG Foundation and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at PSEG, said. “The goal of the PSEG Foundation is to support our non-profit partners in meeting the increasing demand. These organizations are on the front lines every day, helping to address the needs of families, senior citizens, and individuals.”
Founded in 1994, Communities First Initiative (CFI) is a statewide, women-led, majority-minority 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting social, racial, and economic justice. CFI creates targeted programs for affordable housing residents and low-income tenant populations across New Jersey, focusing heavily on food access and financial empowerment. For more information, visit communitiesfirstinitiative.org.
