(Newark, NJ, September 19, 2016) – The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey recently awarded 30 grants, totaling $946,500, to community-based organizations that are working to improve the health and the quality of life of residents throughout the state. The charitable arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, The Horizon Foundation has awarded 52 grants to date in 2016, totaling $1.95 million – and 1,277 grants, totaling $45.5 million, since its inception in 2004.  

“The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey proudly works with community-based organizations that are conducting programs to make our residents healthier and to lead more fulfilling lives,” said Robert A. Marino, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Chairman & CEO and The Horizon Foundation Board Chairman.

 The Foundation awarded the following grants in its second round of funding for 2016:

• Community Health Care, in Bridgeton, received a $50,000 grant to support the Asthma Self-Management Program that will provide patients with one-on-one health education, group health education, counseling, asthma management plans and family support.
• Covenant House, in Newark, received a $20,000 grant to support the Prevention of Obesity and Promotion of Healthy Living Program for homeless and at-risk youth. The program will provide education about obesity, diabetes and related health concerns, exercise sessions, health assessments, assistance in setting health goals, and healthy meals.
• Essex County Parks Foundation, in Newark, received a $15,000 grant to support the Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series, which offered over 20 free concerts in more than 15 parks within the Essex County Park System.
• Friends of Passaic County Parks, in Paterson, received a $20,000 grant to support the Passaic County Frisbee/Disc Golf Course project. A 36-hole disc golf course will be installed at Rifle Camp Park. This course will be situated adjacent to the Par Course Physical Fitness Course in the park and will provide residents with additional fitness and recreational opportunities.
• Great Swamp Watershed Association, in New Vernon, received a $14,000 grant for the Horizon Trail Enhancements and Outdoor Learning for Children project. The Horizon Trail will be lengthened and enhancements made to areas immediately adjacent to the trail, including the creation of a new vernal pool. The grant will also support the installation of new educational signage and the creation of an outdoor learning environment for children.
• Greater Newark Healthcare Coalition, in Newark, received a $50,000 grant to support the Greater Newark Health Literacy & Navigation project. The grant will fund the hiring and training of a bi-lingual Community Outreach and Engagement Program Assistant who will provide residents with chronic disease education and assistance with navigating the health care system, as well as support a citywide Community Health Needs Assessment. 
• Jewish Family Service & Children’s Center of Clifton-Passaic, in Clifton, received a $50,000 grant to support the Horizon Fewer Walls More Bridges Health Literacy Project, which will provide case management services for
  low-income, minority families and senior citizens, as well as educational resources and assistance in navigating the health care system.
• Kids Corporation II, in Newark, received a $10,000 grant to support The Kids Health Clinic, which provides health education, health exams, and follow-up care to Newark elementary school children. The grant will fund a pediatric nurse and health assistant to conduct asthma, obesity and immunization screenings and to provide case management for children to receive follow-up care.
• La Casa de Don Pedro, in Newark, received a $15,000 grant to support the Healthy Living Initiative that aims to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities for medically underserved Hispanic adults and children residing in Newark. The Initiative provides health seminars, case management and counseling services. 
• Mainstage Center for the Arts, in Blackwood, received a $15,000 general operating support grant to build and expand its programs, help underwrite arts education programs and assist in presenting high-quality experiences in the arts for participants. 
• McCarter Theatre, in Princeton, received a $10,000 grant to support the McCarter Access to the Arts Program, which provides accessibility services for patrons who are visually or hearing impaired and patrons with mobility limitations. It also offers autism-friendly performances.
• New Jersey Ballet, in Livingston, received a $7,500 general operating support grant to assist in maintaining and expanding its statewide artistic and educational activities, including outreach to non-traditional audiences and expanding its extensive repertory.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, in Millburn, received a $15,000 grant to support the Fifth Grade Parent Alert, a brochure provided free-of-charge to all New Jersey schools with a fifth-grade class for distribution to parents and caregivers, educating them about substance abuse and encouraging them to communicate with their children about its dangers.
• Passage Theatre, in Trenton, received a $10,000 general operating support grant to fund productions, afterschool and summer programming, as well as a new adult education program. 
• Perkins Center for the Arts, in Moorestown, received a $15,000 general operating support grant to fund a free concert series, which will assist the Perkins Center's efforts to eliminate financial barriers to the arts in South Jersey.  Concerts will range in theme from classical to classic rock and will highlight the connection between teaching and performance.
• Salvation Army-New Jersey Division, in Camden, received a $30,000 grant for the Outdoor Spaces at the Kroc Center: Youth After-School and Intergenerational Garden project. The grant will support the development and implementation of an outdoor curriculum for the Kroc after-school program and the creation of an art space at the raised-bed gardens where senior citizen volunteers will teach and create with after-school students.    
• St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, in Newark, received a $40,000 grant for its Fitness, Nutrition and Weight-Control Programs to purchase equipment for strength training and cardio and respiratory fitness. 
• Two River Theatre Company, in Red Bank, received a $15,000 grant to support the Outreach to Latino Audiences project, which will provide increased opportunities for Latino artists and attract new audiences. The Theatre will produce plays by Latino writers; host free public events, readings, and storytelling workshops; and, make available free tickets to mainstage performances through community outreach.
• UrbanPromise Ministries, in Camden, received a $30,000 grant to support its Eat Well, Move Well, Be Well program. The program takes a multifaceted approach to preventing obesity among students attending the Ministries’ two schools and its out-of-school-time programs, and community members that utilize the food co-op. Activities will promote healthy eating and physical activity and increase access to fresh produce.
• Young Audiences of New Jersey, in Princeton, received a $15,000 grant to conduct its Trenton Adopt-a-School Initiative: Family Arts and Creativity Program in four Trenton elementary schools. This family-centered arts education program is designed to promote child learning and strengthen families by bringing together young people, their parents, and professional teaching artists in
  hands-on art-making workshops.

An additional 10 grants were awarded to organizations working to help improve pediatric dental health. Details about these programs will be released at a later date.

About the Foundation:

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who can help us improve our neighbors’ health, inform their health decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation’s funding pillars are Caring, Connecting and Creating. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, both of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information please visitwww.Horizonblue.com/Foundation