RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) on Tuesday announced a significant $1.7 million investment aimed at strengthening social and health infrastructure across Jersey City and Hudson County. Funded through the system’s Our Healthy Communities initiative and supported by state appropriations, the investment focuses on tackling the “social determinants of health”—the non-medical factors like food security, housing, and economic stability that profoundly influence long-term wellness.
“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,” Mark Manigan, president and chief executive officer of RWJBarnabas Health, said.
The funding is allocated to four key organizations that provide essential services to Hudson County’s most vulnerable populations:
- North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) – $450,000: Supports a comprehensive initiative addressing poverty, including improved healthcare access, language services, housing stability, and transportation.
- Hudson Pride Center – $450,000: Dedicated to expanding mental health services, youth development, and wellness resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Kearny Department of Public Health and Environmental Protection (KDPH) – $400,000: Focuses on resource navigation, specifically helping low-income residents and seniors access benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.
- Youth Foundation of Jersey City (YFOJC) – $400,000: Expands support systems across 15 Jersey City public schools, providing food pantries, hygiene resources, and mental health programming for students.
The initiative highlights a growing trend in the healthcare sector: recognizing that patient outcomes are often dictated by what happens outside the hospital walls.
“Jersey City families deserve access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and the resources they need to thrive,” Jersey City Mayor James Solomon said. “We’re grateful for partners who understand that health doesn’t start and end in a hospital.”
This $1.7 million infusion is part of a much larger commitment by RWJBH. Leveraging state community health resources, the health system has reinvested more than $151 million in initiatives that go beyond traditional medical care to foster long-term stability for New Jersey residents.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy lauded the partnership, stating, “By supporting programs that advance food security, housing, and access to health care, RWJBarnabas Health is demonstrating the power of partnership.”
