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SERVICES

Jefferson Park Ministries’ youth program strives to help the community achieve success by promoting positive educational experiences, leading to growth and development. After School programs serve low income families by providing homework assistance to students to help achieve their academic goals which includes social skills building as well. JPM After School (k-8th) – JPM youth program strives to help students achieve success in school and become more confident in themselves by promoting positive educational experience, leading to responsible development and positive change.  The Afterschool program give kids a chance to interact with peers in order to build their social skills. The program is built around fun activities. Making friends may be easier for some students in this environment. The Afterschool program includes many opportunities to socialize. Kids would help each other, check answers and complement each other’s work. During gym time, they would dance together or play games. Rarely did they work or play alone. Kids feel more comfortable interacting with teachers. Summer Camp – The primary purpose of the summer camp is educational and/or cultural development. The environment may allow children to take healthy risks in a safe and nurturing environment.

Food pantry is every 2nd and 3rd Thursday of the month from 1-5pm. ​ Jefferson Park Ministries Food Pantry (JPMFP) is committed to improving the quality of life and to promote the health of low income persons and/or their families. Low income, struggling, and working families can get free food at the Jefferson Park Ministries, Inc. Food Pantry (JPMFP). JPMFP provides free groceries, diapers, as well as hygiene supplies to those who need help. A number of other assistance programs and supports are offered. It also distributes baby food, clothing, diapers, or guidance on applying for SNAP food stamps.  ​ JPM works with the Community Food Bank of NJ (CFBNJ) to reach people in need across the state. CFBNJ helps JPM get healthy food to hungry men, women, and children in the communities through its food pantry.  Furthermore, JPM partners with CFBNJ and is trained to connect its clients to SNAP benefits.  The partnership helps to engage clients and assess client’s food needs to reduce barriers to accessing food assistance, facilitate the CFBNJ screening JPM clients over the phone for SNAP, and providing online application assistance for those that are eligible. ​ “More than 1.2 million people in New Jersey face hunger every day. Nearly 400,000 of them are children. When they don’t have enough food to eat, they can suffer direct and dramatic effects on their physical development and mental well-being”. ​ Food insecurity exists in every county across the United States, from the poorest neighborhoods to the most affluent. Parents skip meals so they can feed their children, seniors choose between buying medicine and food, and students decide between their education and food. These tough choices are an unfortunate reality for many of our New Jersey neighbors.” Community Food of NJ Period Initiative

Foster Grandparents are role models and friends to children with exceptional needs. The program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities. Help children learn to read and provide one-on-one tutoring Mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers Care for premature infants or children with disabilities Help children who have been abused or neglected and more !

Low-income families with young children often struggle with diaper need, having to make tough choices between diapers and other necessities. 1 in 3 mothers in the U.S. cannot afford diapers and must make these impossible decisions every day. As a member of the National Diaper Bank Network, we partner with 50 of our agencies to provide parents with diapers each month to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. JPM partners with Moms Helping Moms to distribute diapers to families. Diaper distribution is every 3rd Thursday of the month from 1-5pm. Parents must bring the child birth certificate and a picture ID. Bringing a picture identification (ID) is the only condition that needs to be met by clients. The food, period pad and diapers are served on first comes, first serves basis.