NJDOC Announces $6 Million in Reintegration Grants to 28 Awardees for NJLEAD Program

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) unveiled the 28 awardees of the second year of its groundbreaking New Jersey Locally Empowered, Accountable, and Determined (NJLEAD) grants. This year, the innovative program will allocate $6 million to support the expansion of reentry programs across the state.

Governor Murphy expressed the importance of reentry programs, stating, “Reentry programs are an essential tool in our efforts to reduce recidivism rates in our state and increase public safety. The funding going towards these reentry programs from the NJLEAD initiative will give incarcerated persons the skills and support they need to successfully reintegrate into society.”

The NJLEAD grants were initiated last year, supporting 17 community reentry organizations statewide. These organizations work closely with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, local municipalities, and non-profit community-based corporations to develop and enhance critical wraparound services for individuals exiting state custody.

Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn emphasized the impact of the initiative, saying, “Our community partners are the vital threads that help people returning from incarceration weave the fabric of their new lives.”

Dr. Darcella Sessomes, Chief of Programs and Reintegration Services, acknowledged the success of the pilot year and expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the corrections and community partners.

The awardees for this year's NJLEAD grants are divided into three categories: Reintegration Service Coordination in Urban Communities, Reentry Supportive Services in New Jersey, and Innovative Reentry Career and Entrepreneurial Initiatives.

Recipients expressed gratitude for the funding and the impact it would have on their communities. 

Dr. Charles F. Boyer of Salvation and Social Justice in Trenton said, “The pandemic releases created an unprecedented demand for services that only those with strong community ties could provide. Salvation and Social Justice is honored to be a part of this work and look forward to using a restorative framework to help people coming back to Trenton access housing, food security, and employment.”

Seth Capler-Dale, CEO of Reformed Church of Highland Park, shared similar sentiments, stating that the grant would help expand a lease/sublease program to assist those leaving incarceration in finding housing.

Helen Archontou, CEO of the YWCA of Northern New Jersey, expressed gratitude for the "transformational funding" that will allow for the expansion of the Circle of Care program, providing trauma-informed clinical care and wraparound services for those in several North Jersey counties.

The continued success and expansion of the NJLEAD program demonstrate the dedication of the NJDOC and community partners in supporting reentry programs and reducing recidivism rates throughout the state.

Here is a list of the grant recipients and the awarded amounts:

Reintegration Service Coordination in Urban Communities:

1. City of Orange (COORA) - $100,000
2. City of Newark (COEWR) - $119,000

Reentry Supportive Services in New Jersey: 

1. Greater Bergen Community Action - $350,000 (target area: Bergen and Passaic counties)
2. Habakkuk Vision Charitable Ministries - $150,000 (target area: Union and Essex counties)
3. Isaiah House - $350,000 (target area: East Orange and Greater Newark)
4. Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center - $200,000 (target area: Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem counties)
5. Most Excellent Way Life Center - $150,000 (target area: Hudson County area)
6. New Beginnings Behavioral Health - $350,000 (target area: Camden County)
7. NJ Association on Correction – Pathways - $300,000 (target area: Middlesex and Somerset counties)
8. NJ Reentry Corporation - $269,000 (target area: State of New Jersey)
9. Reformed Church of Highland Park – Affordable Housing Corporation - $655,000
10. Salvation and Social Justice - $300,000 (target area: Greater Trenton)
11. SCORES Reentry - $200,000 (target area: State of New Jersey)
12. Transition Professionals - $126,757 (target area: Bergen County and Northern New Jersey)
13. YWCA of Northern New Jersey - $200,000 (target area: Bergen Essex, Morris, Hudson, and Passaic counties)
14. Kommuity Kares - $200,000 (target area: Camden County)

Innovative Reentry Career and Entrepreneurial Initiatives: 

1. NJ Small Business Development Center at Rutgers - $100,000 (target area: State of New Jersey)
2. African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey - $200,000 (target area: State of New Jersey)
3. City of Trenton - $100,000 (target area: Trenton)
4. EM-POWER ME of Monmouth County - $55,874 (target area: Monmouth County)
5. Ideal Institute of Technology - $200,000 (target area: Southern New Jersey)
6. Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center - $100,000 (target area: Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem counties)
7. New Beginnings Behavioral Health - $100,000 (target area: Camden County)
8. Urban League of Essex County - $199,980 (target area: City of Orange, Essex County)
9. Women's Center for Entrepreneurship - $100,000 (target area: State of New Jersey)
10. The Work Well Partnership - $150,000 (target area: Trenton/Mercer County)
11. The WOW Center - $175,000 (target area: Camden County and southern New Jersey)
12. NJ Reentry Corporation - $199,540 (target area: Paterson)