Success Stories
Upon visiting West Side Infant in December, 2022, and with the generosity from some very special donors, we were able to purchase coats for the toddlers at the Day Care and present gift cards to the parents to enhance their holiday celebrations.
As an organization committed to diversity, unity, and inclusivity, we, in partnership with the Coalition for Racial Unity and Equity (CRUE), have embarked on a project to educate readers of all ages on racial justice by setting up book displays in libraries across Eastern Bergen County. Below are displays in some of our libraries including Demarest, Englewood, Cresskill and Bergenfield.
West Side Infant and Teen Program
As the mother of a teenager I couldn’t have been more moved by the work of West Side Infant and Teen Program. Being a teenager is hard enough, but being a teenage mother must be overwhelming. This program wraps its services around the young moms and provides full time child care for their children while helping them to graduate from high school, work part time, and move toward college or full-time employment following graduation. The program also includes the fathers of the children in care and grandparents and other caregivers that comprise the child’s extended family. It gives both moms and children all of the support they need for future success. I am so pleased that The Community Chest is supporting them.
Amie Aburustum
Center for Hope and Safety
It is hard to imagine that women and children have to live in a place like a shelter, but this facility is absolutely essential for families in need of temporary shelter because of domestic violence. I did not know about places like this nor did I appreciate the complicated situations faced by families who are homeless and without resources. I felt very naïve and felt that I had to tell my friends about his. The Center for Hope and Safety provides a safe port in a storm for many families who need a temporary place to live to escape from dangerous living situations. The Community Chest funds are used toward supporting a staff person at the shelter. It is a great investment.
Martin Huguley
Tenafly Nature Center Summer Camp Scholarship
The summer months can be a difficult time for low income single parents who need healthy and fun activities for their children. Tenafly Nature Center’s summer day camp provides an opportunity for kids in these situations to learn about nature and have a safe and fun filled time. Mrs. S expressed her gratitude for this resource to camp staff. “I don’t know what I would have done with Max during this month when I had to work. He learned so much and had such a great time. I would not have been able to afford the camp without the scholarship help. Thank you so much from Max and me.” The camp scholarships are provided in part by The Community Chest.
Professional Development Series
The Professional Development program that The Community Chest has been offering has provided much needed capacity support for my nonprofit organization. We have very limited funds dedicated to professional development, so The Community Chest’s leadership on this initiative has allowed employees at the management and middle management levels opportunities to learn and grow as professionals that would be otherwise unavailable.
Steve Wiessner, Executive Director, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center