New Jersey American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, has unveiled the recipients of its 2025 Community Advancement Grant Program. This initiative, conducted through the Foundation’s State Strategic Impact Grant Program, has awarded a total of $250,000 to ten notable organizations dedicated to expanding access to essential programs and services for underserved communities across New Jersey.
The grants, each amounting to $25,000, are earmarked for developing and implementing various programs, training sessions, or community-based projects. The selected organizations include:
– A Hand to Hold, Inc. – Enhancing initiatives aimed at youth support and hygiene.
– Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County – Improving community access to critical services.
– Feeding Hands, Inc. – Expanding their Kids in the Kitchen healthy cooking program.
– HABcore, Inc. – Increasing services that facilitate affordable housing solutions.
– Hairy’s Dog House – Broadening outreach programs for hospitalized children.
– JPELITE Enterprise – Advancing initiatives in their Young Engineers Enrichment Program.
– Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity, Inc. (MEND) – Extending their Mobile Market services to more communities.
– New Jersey Blind Citizen Association, Inc. – Enhancing the quality of life for visually impaired individuals.
– Tara’s Happy Boxes – Expanding wellness services tailored for children.
– VET4U, LLC – Increasing outreach efforts to assist homeless veterans.
Ayana Baker, the executive director of A Hand to Hold Inc., expressed gratitude for the support, stating that this grant arrives at a pivotal moment for the organization, allowing them to broaden their impact on youth and families in Camden. “We intend to use these funds to expand our enrichment programs, provide essential resources, and continue creating safe spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and valued,” she remarked.
Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water and a board member of the American Water Charitable Foundation, emphasized the significance of the Community Advancement Grant Program. He noted, “These grants honor the exceptional efforts of our 2025 recipients and reaffirm our shared dedication to expanding opportunity, deepening community connections, and building a brighter, more resilient future for all.”
Funding for this impactful program is channeled through the American Water Charitable Foundation as part of its broader mission to support high-impact projects nationwide, falling under the Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. This program is driven by three core pillars: water, people, and communities, further underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to fostering community well-being and resilience.