About Us
Jefferson Park Ministries, Inc. (JPM), founded in 2002, is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt, faith-based community organization in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Our mission is to serve immigrant families and youth by implementing services and programs that address the needs and improves the lives of disparaged families and youth by promoting empowerment and the ability to manage day to day activities. With family orientation being one of its primary focuses, JPM provides a range of culturally-competent services for the Haitian community, as well as services for other at-risk minority populations, Haitian, Latinos and African Americans. JPM’s clients are primarily of limited language proficiency, live in or below the poverty level, and are marginally employed, unemployed or at risk for unemployment.
Over the years, our agency has enabled and continue to enable vulnerable Haitian immigrants and others with limited literacy in different areas to navigate through the social service system by reducing language and cultural barriers, through the education of the broader community about cultural sensitivity and diversity. More than 800 clients have and continue to benefit from JPM’s 13 programs including Adult ESL and Literacy, Chronic Disease workshops for adults, Santé Pour Tous I and II (Health Literacy for All) in Union County and Essex County), rent and utilities assistance, food pantry, and social services for families. Our services also reaches out to children with the implementation of after school programs, fun recreational activates, summer camp, and other educational programs.
~Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you~ Matthew 7 : 12
Our Purpose for Existing
Our purpose of existence is to become the primary source providing services to the Haitian community and the community at large within the city of Elizabeth and the State of New Jersey. We want to be the heart, the hands, and the voice of those who cannot help themselves.
~“It is beautiful to express love and even more beautiful to feel it.”~ Dejan Stojanovic
Our Dream for Tomorrow
Our vision is to become the community’s primary resource for programs and services that contribute to individual and family stability, as well as development among Haitian and other immigrant groups.