Jewish Renaissance Foundation

05/01/2026

Today kicks off Community Action Month 2026 — a time to recognize the impact of local organizations working to reduce poverty and strengthen communities.

🌟 The Jewish Renaissance Foundation (JRF) has served Middlesex County since 1995, growing from a nonprofit into a dual-designated Community Action Agency and Federally Qualified Health Center.

🏙️ In 2009, JRF was federally designated by the NJ Department of Community Affairs and appointed by the NJ Community Action Association as the Community Action Agency for Middlesex County East, administering CSBG-funded anti-poverty programs across Carteret, Metuchen, Highland Park, Sayreville, Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Edison, and Woodbridge.

💙 At JRF, we believe in the promise that Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope and makes America a better place to live.

Learn more at www.jrfnj.org

04/30/2026

This Patient Experience Week (April 27 – May 1), we're proud to celebrate "Building the Foundations of Experience"💙

At JRF Community Health Center, our patients say it best — compassionate care, affordable services, and a team that truly listens. From medical and dental care to mental health services, we’re here to support the whole person with kindness, respect, and excellence in care.

We are proud to serve our diverse community by offering multilingual support and a sliding fee scale, ensuring that high-quality care is accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Your experience matters to us — and we’re here for you every step of the way.

📍 JRF Community Health Center
1931 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ
📞 (732) 482-9600

Come see the difference compassionate, community-based care can make.

04/30/2026

Healthy Vision for a Healthy Community 👁️💙

Looking ahead: May is both Community Action Month and Healthy Vision Month, and we at the JRF are bringing them together in an impactful way!

The JRF Bayside Family Success Center (FSC) is proud to host a community-focused Vision Screening Event in partnership with Optical Academy—because when we take action for our health, we strengthen our entire community.

This year’s Healthy Vision Month theme, “Healthy Lives, Healthy Eyes,” reminds us that caring for our overall wellness helps protect our vision too. From prevention to early detection, access to care matters, and as a Community Action Agency, we’re bringing those resources directly to you!

Come join us as we provide families with vision screenings and resources from local community organizations offering support, services, and information!

📅Thursday, May 21
⏰3:30 PM–7:30 PM
📍Middlesex College–Perth Amboy Campus
60 Washington St, Perth Amboy, NJ

Registration required — see flyer for QR code and more details!
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Visión saludable para una comunidad saludable👁️💙

Mirando hacia adelante: mayo es tanto el Mes de Acción Comunitaria como el Mes de la Visión Saludable, ¡y en JRF los estamos uniendo de una manera impactante!

El JRF Bayside Family Success Center (FSC) se enorgullece de organizar un Evento Comunitario de Evaluación de la Vista en colaboración con Optical Academy, porque cuando tomamos acción por nuestra salud, fortalecemos a toda nuestra comunidad.

El tema de este año del Mes de la Visión Saludable, “Vidas saludables, ojos saludables”, nos recuerda que cuidar nuestro bienestar general también ayuda a proteger nuestra visión. Desde la prevención hasta la detección temprana, el acceso a la atención importa, y como Agencia de Acción Comunitaria, ¡estamos llevando estos recursos directamente a ti!
¡Acompáñanos mientras brindamos a las familias evaluaciones de la vista y recursos y servicios directamente de organizaciones en tu comunidad!

📅Jueves, 21 de mayo
⏰3:30 PM–7:30 PM
📍Middlesex College–Campus de Perth Amboy
60 Washington St, Perth Amboy, NJ
Se requiere registro!

🔗Link: https://forms.gle/FaVXeQKqpTfq18kG

04/29/2026

This Earth Day, the JRF PAAC program proudly reopened our Community Garden in Perth Amboy — and it was a full house! 🌱💚

Neighbors, community members, and partners came together with a shared purpose—to clean, restore, and bring new life to the PAAC Community Garden. With music, food, and hands in the soil, it was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners who made this day possible:
Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Provident Bank, PNC Bank, OceanFirst Bank, Sabert, The RealReal, Perth Amboy Green Team, Wellpoint, and Target — along with our JRF partners: Step Up, Bayside Family Success Center, and AmeriCorps.

Because of you, our garden — and our community — continues to grow stronger. 🌎✨

04/27/2026

1st Quarter 2026 JRF Newsletter! Click Here: https://conta.cc/3OoWsJP

Catch up on all the incredible things we’ve been up to from January - March—leadership, events, impact stories, and the heart behind everything we do here at JRF. We’re proud to serve, support, and strengthen our community every step of the way.

See yourself in the newsletter? Be sure to like, comment, share and tag us—we’d love to celebrate you too!

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together better, together stronger!
One People, One Heart 💙



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Email from Jewish Renaissance Foundation Stay Informed and Engaged at the JRF Welcome Vito Veneruso, Chief Executive Officer Leading with expertise, compassion, and strategic vision. The Jewish Renai

04/22/2026

Today, on Administrative Professionals Day, we proudly recognize and celebrate our Office Manager, Lissette Vargas-Guzman, for her dedication, organization, and positive attitude that keep our office and programs running smoothly every single day.

From managing countless details behind the scenes to supporting staff and ensuring operations stay on track, her work does not go unnoticed.

Her commitment, professionalism, and steady presence make a meaningful difference in our team and our mission.

We are truly grateful for her contributions and proud to have her as such an integral part of our organization.

Lissette, thank you for all that you do! 💐

04/20/2026

Happy National Volunteer Recognition Day! 💙

Observed annually on April 20, National Volunteer Recognition Day is a time to honor and celebrate the selfless individuals who dedicate their time, skills, and energy to supporting others and strengthening communities—without expecting anything in return.

At JRF, we are incredibly grateful for all of our volunteers who support our mission each and every day, and wanted to share this special thank you post from the JRF and our community partners to our AmeriCorps members for the countless ways you’ve helped us make an impact in our communities. Serving Middlesex County since 2013, AmeriCorps members support community sites through wellness-focused mental health initiatives, self-care events, emotional health workshops, and engaging social programming.

To learn more about becoming an AmeriCorps Member and the benefits and impact of serving, visit us at: https://jrfnj.org/americorps/

Are you a nonprofit interested in becoming an AmeriCorps host site while expanding your capacity, supporting your team, and increasing your community impact? We’re looking to partner with organizations whose missions align with AmeriCorps priorities. To learn more, contact Tawayna Bailey at tawayna.bailey@jrfnj.org or (732) 324-2114 x120.

In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Together, we’re building a brighter future! 💙

04/15/2026

This past Saturday, April 11th, the JRF’s Bayside Family Success Center (FSC) proudly recognized Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month by bringing our community together for a day filled with connection, joy, and support 💙

We welcomed 65 families to the Eddie and Brenda Trujillo Foundation Building for a fun and meaningful event featuring Zumba, cupcake decorating, portrait scene painting, bingo, and tie-dye t-shirts. Most importantly, our families left feeling supported, connected, and surrounded by love — exactly what this month is all about.

A heartfelt thank you to our JRF PAAC program and our incredible partners, including Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, OceanFirst Bank, Perth Amboy Police Department, Perth Amboy Recreation Department, and all who helped make this day so special for our families.

Let’s continue to uplift and protect our children by strengthening the communities around them. 💙

Stay connected and follow us for more upcoming events!

PerthAmboy EdisonNJ

04/09/2026

You’re Invited! PAAC Community Garden Opening & Earth Day Celebration 🌎🌱

The Perth Amboy Alliance for Community (PAAC), a program of JRF, along with our partners, invites you to celebrate Earth Day and the PAAC Annual Community Garden opening with us on Wednesday, April 22, 2026!

Kick off the 2026 garden season by joining our community for a day of volunteering, learning, and sustainability.

🌱 Help clean and prepare the garden for the season
🌎 Discover fun and practical ways to recycle and use clean energy
🤝 Meet neighbors and community partners making a difference

📅 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
📍 275 Alpine Street, Perth Amboy, NJ
⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Come welcome spring and summer with us and see how small actions can create a big impact on our planet. We look forward to celebrating with you!

🔗 Please register by scanning the QR code, using the link below, or clicking the link in our Instagram bio:
https://tinyurl.com/2026-PAAC-EARTH-DAY
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¡Estás Invitado! Apertura del Jardín Comunitario de PAAC y Celebración del Día de la Tierra 🌎🌱

Perth Amboy Alliance for Community (PAAC), un programa de JRF, junto con nuestros socios, te invita a celebrar el Día de la Tierra y la apertura del Jardín Comunitario de PAAC con nosotros el miércoles 22 de abril de 2026.

Únete a nuestra comunidad para dar inicio a la temporada de jardinería 2026 con un día de voluntariado, aprendizaje y sostenibilidad.

🌱 Ayúdanos a limpiar y preparar el jardín para la temporada
🌎 Descubre formas divertidas y prácticas de reciclar y usar energía limpia
🤝 Conoce a vecinos y socios comunitarios que están marcando la diferencia

📅 Miércoles, 22 de abril de 2026
📍 275 Alpine Street, Perth Amboy, NJ
⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

¡Demos la bienvenida juntos a la primavera y el verano, y aprendamos cómo pequeñas acciones pueden generar un gran impacto en nuestro planeta! ¡Esperamos celebrar contigo!

🔗 Por favor, regístrate escaneando el código QR, usando el enlace a continuación o haciendo clic en el enlace en nuestra biografía de Instagram:
https://tinyurl.com/2026-PAAC-EARTH-DAY

04/08/2026

JRF’s Bayside Family Success Center (FSC), in partnership with JRF’s Perth Amboy Alliance for Community (PAAC) program, Perth Amboy Housing Authority, Middlesex College, Gateway, United Way, and Dress for Success, recently hosted a Job Fair Etiquette Workshop to prepare participants for the upcoming Job Fair on April 7th. 💼✨

The sessions were a meaningful and positive experience for all involved. Participants were engaged, eager to learn, and left feeling more confident and prepared—exactly the outcome we hoped to achieve. The workshop focused on the importance of self-presentation, professional communication, and dressing for success, equipping attendees with valuable tools to market themselves and make strong first impressions.

TO OUR PARTNERS: Your partnership truly makes a difference in our community. Events like this would not be possible without the collective effort, time, and generosity of everyone involved. We sincerely appreciate your continued commitment to supporting our programs and participants.

We look forward to continuing this important work together and creating even more impactful opportunities in the future. A special thank you to Dress for Success for providing professional attire and helping participants feel confident, prepared, and empowered for the next step in their journey.

04/08/2026

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month 💙 — a critical time to focus on prevention, early detection, and education.

Oral cancer is on the rise, with the American Cancer Society projecting 60,480 new cases and 13,150 deaths in the U.S. in 2026. Because many cases go undetected until later stages, the five-year survival rate remains around 40%. Early detection can truly save lives.

At the JRF Community Health Center, our dental team plays an important role in changing these outcomes through routine screenings and patient education. We’re here to support our community by:
🔹 Providing thorough head, neck, and oral cancer screenings
🔹 Educating on key risk factors like to***co, alcohol, and HPV-related cancers
🔹 Encouraging regular dental visits and awareness of early warning signs

Taking a few moments this month to learn more could make a life-saving difference—for you or someone you love.

If you’re due for a check-up or have concerns, don’t wait. We’re here for you with affordable care for all through our sliding fee scale.

📍 JRF Community Health Center
1931 Oak Tree Road, Edison NJ
📞 (732) 482-9600

Your health starts with awareness—schedule your visit today.

04/07/2026

Stay connected with JRF! 📲

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on community events, programs, resources, and the incredible work happening across our organization.

Many of you have asked where to find event photos—well this is where they’ll be! From highlights and recaps to important updates, our pages are the best place to relive and share the moments that bring our community together.

Your engagement makes a real impact. Visibility isn’t just about what we post—it’s about our community liking, sharing, commenting, and helping amplify the work we’re doing together.

Follow us, tag us, and help spread the word. Let’s keep building a stronger, more connected community. 💙