Grant Renewed For Newark Nonprofit’s ‘Creative Arts Initiative’

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Integrity House. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Integrity House, one of New Jersey’s leading providers of substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health services, is pleased to announce that the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) has renewed its $85,000 grant to support the organization’s Creative Arts Initiative (CAI) for a second consecutive year. This generous funding will enable Integrity House to continue its mission of improving the holistic health of individuals in the Greater Newark area who are living with SUD by integrating creative arts into traditional clinical services.

Launched in July 2023, the Creative Arts Initiative has already demonstrated its impact by serving over 100 individuals in its first year. Through innovative programs such as bibliotherapy, visual arts workshops, creative writing sessions, and community arts activities, the initiative fosters mindfulness, social connection, and emotional relief—key components of sustained recovery.

“Renewing this grant reflects the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey’s shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of addiction and mental health,” said Robert J. Budsock, President & CEO of Integrity House. “Creative arts are a powerful tool in treating the mental health conditions that often co-occur with substance use disorders. With this funding, we can continue providing whole-person care that goes beyond traditional treatment methods.”

Over the past year, Integrity House has observed significant positive outcomes tied to CAI participation. Preliminary data from program surveys revealed that 65% of clients reported decreased feelings of depression, while 56% noted an increase in mindfulness. These results highlight the program’s effectiveness in enhancing recovery efforts and improving participants’ overall well-being.

“Through creative expression, our clients discover new ways to process emotions and overcome the challenges of recovery,” said Evan Weiss, MSW, Creative Arts Coordinator at Integrity House. “We are deeply grateful to the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for recognizing the value of this work and enabling us to expand its reach in the Newark community.”

In its second year, the Creative Arts Initiative will continue to integrate evidence-based creative arts modalities into Integrity House’s residential programs, with plans to further enhance client engagement and retention in treatment.

About Integrity House

Founded in 1968, Integrity House is one of New Jersey’s largest not-for-profit providers of substance use disorder treatment and mental health services. The organization is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve lasting recovery through a comprehensive, client-centered approach. Integrity House offers a full continuum of care, including inpatient, residential, outpatient, and recovery support services.

For more information about the Creative Arts Initiative or Integrity House, please visit integrityhouse.org.

About the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey

The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) is an independent grant-making organization committed to reducing healthcare disparities and improving access to quality care for vulnerable populations in the Greater Newark area. Since its founding in 1996, HFNJ has awarded nearly $172 million in grants to over 480 organizations.

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