Grants Help Community Groups Serve Brick Residents In Need

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township recently awarded grants totaling $42,800 to 13 organizations that help the township's most vulnerable citizens through the Community Development Block Grant program.

The grants are federal funding Brick Township receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development specifically to assist organizations that provide assistance to people in need.

The following organizations received funding:

Arc Ocean County Chapter, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ocean County, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, Church of Visitation Community Lunch Program, Community Services (Meals on Wheels), Contact of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, Dottie's House, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Jersey Shore Council of Scouts, Ocean's Harbor House, Providence House, Brick Morning Rotary Club and Family Promise of the Jersey Shore.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ocean County received $1,400 for its mentorship program, which matches kids in need with adult mentors

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey received $4,500 for its program that provides free rides to doctors' offices for seniors, paying for Uber and Lyft for those who do not have cell phones. Caregiver Volunteers provides a number of support services for seniors, especially related to transportation.

ARC of Ocean County received $2,500 for its vocational skills training program, which helps residents who are developmentally disabled.

The Visitation Church Community Lunch program received $1,500 for its service, which provides a lunch on the third Thursday of every month. The Community Lunch program serves 105 people each month and provides the homemade meals at no charge.

Community Services Meals on Wheels received $10,000 for meals for seniors who are homebound. In 2023 they delivered more than 35,000 meals to 200 seniors in Brick, said Jim Sigurdson from Meals on Wheels. The service is more than just a daily meal delivery; it's a wellness check for residents who have little other contact with the world and provides critical nutrition for many who would not have healthy meals.

Contact of Ocean and Monmouth Counties received $1,500 for its crisis hotline, which operates around the clock seven days a week to help those in crisis and prevent suicides.

Interfaith Hospitality Network received $2,500 to help its programs for families with children who are without housing.

Dottie's House received $4,500 for its program that helps women escape domestic violence and build new lives for themselves and their children.

Family Promise of the Jersey Shore received $1,500 to support its homelessness prevention program.

Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts received $1,500 to provide access to Scouts who cannot afford its summer camp program fees.

Ocean's Harbor House received $2,500 for its programs, including its transitional program for teens and young adults who have aged out of the foster system and need help. The organization closed its emergency youth shelter and is turning it into a family shelter for female-led families in need of housing. It serves up to 18 people.

Providence House received $7,500 to provide counseling and legal representation to women who are escaping domestic violence.

Brick Morning Rotary received $1,400 for its Shore Movement food drive, which collects nonperishable foods and gives the food to food pantries in Brick to help those in need. The effort started during the pandemic and has provided thousands of pounds of food to local pantries.

"All of these outstanding organizations work to make a positive impact on our communities," Brick Township officials said. "They rely heavily on the support of citizens through volunteerism and donations. Check out these organizations on the web to learn more about the work they do and how you can help them make a difference in the lives of so many."