Tzu Chi USA Mid-Atlantic Region, serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, is one of the nine regions under Tzu Chi USA, which was established in California in 1983. Initially established in 1995 as a Service Center with 150 volunteers meeting in the Wyckoff home of Executive Director Debbie Chen, the organization quickly elevated to Branch Office in 1996 and moved its office to a rented building in Boonton. In 1997, the Tzu Chi Academy was established to offer Chinese language and cultural classes. A year later, it purchased and moved to its current location, at 150 Commerce Road, Cedar Grove. The Regional Office is further supported by the Central New Jersey Branch Office as well as Service Centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Tzu Chi’s missions include charity, medicine, education and humanistic culture. It also promotes environmental protection, bone marrow donation, international relief and community volunteering. Local volunteers provided relief in the aftermath of 9/11 in New York. In cooperation with the New Jersey Food Bank, Tzu Chi volunteers have been running a food pantry at the regional office since 2010. They provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food supplies to 1,500 low-income families every month. The food pantry is open every Friday, from 10:30 to 2. We also offer periodic free medical consultations (included vision and dental), SNAP and VITA services, as well as needs-based scholarships to qualified high school graduates. Volunteers regularly visit nursing homes, hospitals and shelters, and participate in other community services such as street cleaning and recycling. For more information about our services or to become a volunteer, please send us a message! To learn more about Tzu Chi USA, please visit https://tzuchi.us/. To donate to Tzu Chi Mid-Atlantic Region, visit https://donate.tzuchi.us/cause/gift/ and choose "Mid-Atlantic Region (NJ Chapter)" under "Select Region".
