William J. Marino, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, (Foundation) announced today that the Foundation awarded $6.6 million in grants to 125 organizations in 2008.

2008 grants are as follows:

• 65 charitable organizations received December 2008 grant awards totaling $3.6 million, including the Health Center Initiative recipients.
• 60 charitable organizations received previously announced grant awards totaling $3 million during 2008.

“I wish to congratulate the 65 organizations that received December 2008 grants from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey,” said Marino. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2004, the Foundation has awarded nearly 400 grants totaling over $16 million to charitable organizations across the state.

 December 2008 grant recipients are as follows:  

• American Cancer Society in Elizabeth, received a grant of $120,000 to support its Continuing Medical Education Project to improve management of chronic pain in cancer patients.  The program is in collaboration with the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians and seeks to increase awareness and management skills of physicians and other health care professionals in assessing and treating cancer patients’ pain.

• American Conference on Diversity in New Brunswick, received a grant of $20,000 to support expansion of its Healthcare Cultural Competency Train the Trainer Program. The program assists physicians, hospital administrators and other health care professionals provide culturally appropriate health care.

• American Diabetes Association in Bridgewater, received a grant of $40,000 to support and expand its Project Power Program. The outreach program for individuals in the African American and Latino communities teaches better self-management of diabetes through workshops held at local churches.

• American Heart Association in Robbinsville, received a grant of $50,000 to support and expand its Health Disparities in Heart Health Program, a community education initiative to reach high-risk individuals. The program is expanding to reach individuals in the Latino community and to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, an emergency medical procedure for cardiac arrest, in Newark’s Central Ward.

• Arts Council of Princeton in Princeton, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Youth ArtReach Program that provides arts education to underserved children in Princeton. This small group program offers educational experiences from professional artists to children who do not have access to the same extracurricular programs as their peers.

• Arts Horizons in Englewood, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Artist/Teacher Institute that provides intensive arts courses for teachers taught by master artists. The program increases the teachers’ ability to provide quality arts instruction for their students and to deliver a curriculum that integrates arts.

• ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey in Newark, received a grant of $15,000 to support a new bilingual curriculum for Latino students in Jersey City and Newark and their parents. The Promoting Safe and Healthy Communities curriculum promotes awareness and education on HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS and STD screening and referrals for treatment will also be provided.

• Boat People SOS in Pennsauken, received a grant of $15,000 to support its Health Awareness Prevention Program that provides culturally and linguistically appropriate education, health, financial, immigration, family counseling and other services to Vietnamese refugees and immigrants in Camden County.

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark in Newark, received a grant of $20,000 to support its St. Bridget’s Medical Case Management Program that serves homeless individuals with HIV. The program provides outreach services including on-going engagement and clinical case management services to clients.

• Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County in Edison, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Augmentative Communication Equipment Lending Program. Non-verbal children use the program’s equipment to improve their ability to communicate.

• Children’s Futures in Trenton, received a grant of $50,000 to support its Trenton Obesity and Medical Home Program. The program provides for development and implementation of a comprehensive obesity prevention and education program in the city of Trenton for children ages 0-3 and for expansion of the medical home program to all Trenton pediatric practices.

• CPC Behavioral Healthcare in Eatontown, received a grant of $28,500 to support its Circle of Friends Program in hiring a certified art therapist to provide services to children in the program who are exhibiting signs of depression.

• Emmanuel Cancer Foundation in Scotch Plains, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Family Services Program that provides professional counseling, as well as material assistance for groceries and clothing. Direct financial relief is also provided if a family’s basic survival is at risk.

• Family & Community Services of Somerset County in Bound Brook, received a grant of $16,000 to support its Depression Program that provides mental health counseling to youth and adults experiencing major depression and other depression related disorders.

• Greater Newark Conservatory in Newark, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Nutrition Education Program that brings nutrition and wellness programming to children and families in Newark and surrounding urban communities. The program highlights the role of good nutrition in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

• Helen Keller International in Newark, received a grant of $15,000 to support its ChildSight New Jersey Initiative that aims to improve the vision and academic potential of economically disadvantaged children in New Jersey. The program will provide in-school vision screening for low-income students from Newark, Jersey City, Irvington, Passaic, Plainfield, and the Oranges public schools.

• Hope House in Dover, received a grant of $25,000 to support its HIV/AIDS Latino Outreach & Education Program that provides outreach, testing and counseling to the Latino population via a mobile van unit for at-risk clients.

• Inwood House in Buena, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Atlantic County Teen Choice Program, a teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS prevention program. The program provides comprehensive sexuality education and counseling for students.

• Jersey City Museum in Jersey City, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Arts Education programs that are offered year-round to underserved children in grades pre-K through 12. The programs include: Exhibition Tours & Workshops, Summer Sessions, Cross-disciplinary Performing Arts, Special Needs, and Educator Workshops.

• Kids Corporation in Newark, received a grant of $15,000 to support its Mountain Classroom Program that gets Newark children physically fit and motivated to learn. The year-round program improves a child’s physical, social and cognitive growth through team building, health education, hiking exploration and other hands-on activities.

• KinderSmile Foundation in Upper Montclair, received a grant of $20,000 to support the educational component of its Oral Health Program. Oral education workshops will be provided for parents, caregivers and teachers of pre-school children in underserved areas of Essex County.

• Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, received a grant of $30,000 to add health components to two of its signature programs: Electronic Field Trips, a videoconferencing program that sends science instruction directly into the classroom, and Partners in Science, a mentoring program that pairs gifted 11th and 12th graders with professional scientists. The grant will add health and wellness and infectious disease education components to the Electronic Field Trips Program and support seminars, workshops and symposiums for Partners in Science.

• Little Kids Rock in Montclair, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Jersey City and Newark Expansion Initiative that equips children with free instruments and supports teachers who volunteer to teach them music. The grant will also be used to train additional teachers in Jersey City and the Newark area so they can participate in the program.

• Montclair State University Foundation in Montclair, received a grant of $7,500 to support its HIV Prevention Program. The program offers a graduate level course on HIV prevention and sexuality education to school nurses and teachers so they can educate public school students about these health issues.

• Newark Arts Council in Newark, received a grant of $15,000 to support its Artist in Residency Program that provides a 14-week residency program for Newark students utilizing interdisciplinary learning in a subject-based classroom environment.

• Newark Boys Chorus School in Newark, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Life Styles of the Health and Wise Project IV that addresses the unique needs of its student by providing physical activities to help counter the long hours spent by students sitting in school and chorus rehearsal. Students will receive strength conditioning, swimming instruction and the opportunity to play in a youth basketball league.

• Newark Youth Golf in Newark, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Newark Youth Golf After-School Health Literacy and Academic Enrichment Program that provides academic support to students and introduces them to the game of golf. Students receive golf instruction, homework assistance, tutoring and lessons in health literacy.

• New Jersey Ballet Company (NJB) in Livingston, received a grant of $5,000 for general operating support for their statewide artistic and educational programs. The NJB will mark its 50th anniversary with performances and special event designed to excite current audiences and to attract new people to the arts.

• New Jersey Foundation of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities in Edison, received a grant of $50,000 to support its New Jersey Donated Dental Services Program through which volunteer dentists and lab professionals provide comprehensive care to aged or disabled patients.

• New Jersey Institute of Technology Foundation in Newark, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Promoting Better Health for At-Risk Teenagers Initiative that educates and motivates young people to lead healthier lives through better nutrition and physical fitness. The twelve-week course will be taught by health professionals from the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension Program of Essex County.

• New Jersey Network (NJN) Foundation in Trenton, received a grant of $75,000 to support New Jersey Network news, the NJN News HealthWatch segment and public affairs specials.

• New Jersey Theatre Alliance in Morristown, received a grant of $10,000 to support three regional workshops for artists with disabilities and people with disabilities who are interested in careers in the arts. Forums will include presentations by artists with disabilities.

• Ocean Community Economic Action Now in Toms River, received a grant of $40,000 to support its Project Healthy Smiles Dental Initiative that provides access to dental services for low-income children. Services include dental screenings and education.

• Pregnancy Care Center t/a Options for Women in Cherry Hill, received a grant of $15,000 to support a pilot program to prevent and treat Sexually Transmitted Infections in young adults ages 18 thru 22. The program will offer free Sexually Transmitted Infections testing and treatment services.

• Prevention Education in Lawrenceville, received a grant of $15,000 to support its PEI Kids’ Program – Trauma, Loss and Depression: Intervention for Young Children. The program will offer workshops to help parent/caregivers identify the signs and symptoms of depression in children and counseling for children who need it.

• St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, received a grant of $20,000 to support its Counseling Program that serves students with psychological, emotional, or behavioral problems that threaten their academic progress and ability to function at school and in the community.

• Saint Peter’s College (SPC) in Jersey City, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Healthing Along in Jersey City program that uses undergraduate SPC students to educate school children about making healthy lifestyle choices. SPC students hold seminars that discuss proper nutrition, the need for physical activity, proper hygiene, and other health related topics.

• St. Vincent’s Academy in Newark, received a grant of $24,000 to support its Women’s Wellness Plus program that addresses weight and other health related problems in women attending St. Vincent. The program addresses physical and mental health issues, nutrition education, and improved physical fitness.

• Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children in Bridgewater, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Street Smart HIV/AIDS Program that provides adolescents with an intensive HIV/AIDS and STD prevention program. The program is specifically designed for runaway and homeless youth susceptible to infection.

• South Jersey AIDS Alliance in Atlantic City, received a grant of $15,000 to support its Healthy Relationship Plus program that uses intervention in a small group environment to help build the skills needed to disclose HIV status to family, friends and partners. The program also teaches safer sexual behaviors.

• The Arc of New Jersey in North Brunswick, received a grant of $30,500 to support its Cancer Prevention for Individuals with Disabilities program. The program educates individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers about the importance of lifestyle changes, family history, and screenings for cancer in an effort to prevent cancer deaths.

• The Bridge in Caldwell, received a grant of $15,000 to support its Search Light Program for Teens that provides depression and substance abuse screening for children in the Essex County area. Counseling is provided for children who need it and for their parents and caregivers.

• The Community Theatre in Morristown, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Arts Education and Outreach Program that provides students, residents, and educators with the opportunity to participate in a high quality performing arts experience. The program includes participation in a Performing Arts School, Summer Camps, Performing Arts Company, After-School Enrichment and other programs.

• United Way of Essex and West Hudson in Newark, received a grant of $75,000 to support its Success by 6® Initiative that seeks to raise awareness about early childhood development as well as improve access to critical health and human services.

• West Bergen Mental Healthcare in Ridgewood, received a grant of $25,000 to support its Children’s Depression Intervention Program that treats children and adolescents struggling with depression. The program uses a variety of tools and treatment modalities to help children overcome depression.

• Women Helping Women in Metuchen, received a grant of $10,000 to support its Individual, Couple and Family Counseling Program that provides professional counseling services to low income clients who cannot afford to pay for counseling.

• Youth Development Clinic in Newark, received a grant of $25,000 to support its Neurons to Neighborhoods Program that seeks to recognize the early stages of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in children. Screening, early intervention and treatment for young children in Irvington will be provided as well as education and training for their caregivers. Training and consultation in management of ASD will also be provided to teachers and allied professionals serving children in Essex County and Northern New Jersey Communities.

Health Center Initiative Grantees   

• Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative in Hackensack, Bergen County - $40,000 over two years  
• CAMcare Health Corp in Camden, Camden County - $200,000 over two years
• Cape Volunteers in Medicine/Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May County in Cape May Court House, Cape May County - $202,500 over three years
• Community Health Care in Bridgeton, Cumberland County - $100,000 for one year
• Horizon Health Center in Jersey City, Hudson County - $100,000 for one year
• I Beseech Thee Community Development Corporation in Freehold, Monmouth County - $25,000 for one year
• Jewish Renaissance Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Middlesex County - $100,000 for one year 
• Metropolitan Family Health Network in Jersey City, Hudson County - $140,000 over two years
• Monmouth Family Health Center in Long Branch, Monmouth County - $200,000 over three years
• Neighborhood Health Services Corporation in Plainfield, Union County - $150,000 over two years                                                
• Newark Community Health Centers in Newark, Essex County - $300,000 over three years 
• North Hudson Community Action Corporation in West New York, Hudson County - $100,000 over two years
• Paterson Community Health in Paterson, Passaic County - $85,000 for one year
• Providence Medical Clinic in Neptune City, Monmouth County - $50,000 for one year
• United States Catholic Conference/St. Luke’s Catholic Medical Services in Camden, Camden County  - $65,100 over two years
• Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center in Asbury Park, Monmouth County - $100,000 over two years
• Volunteers in Health/Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank, Monmouth County - $200,000 over two years
• Zufall Health Center in Dover, Morris County - $300,000 over three years.

The Health Center Initiative grants listed above represent the Foundation’s second round of grants from its five-year, $5 million Initiative.  In December 2006, the Foundation awarded more than $2.3 million to 16 health centers in its first round of Health Center Initiative grants.  

For more information about the Health Center Initiative go to http://www.horizonblue.com/foundation/hci.

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is celebrating five years of healthier, stronger communities.  The Foundation promotes health, well-being, and quality of life across our state by supporting charitable organizations.  For more information about the Foundation, visit www.horizonblue.com/foundation.