Bank of America has named Bridges Outreach in Summit and Younity in Lawrenceville as its 2024 Neighborhood Builders for their efforts to provide essential support services and foster safer, more supportive communities.
Bridges Outreach delivers resources and assistance to the homeless, and Younity, the newly rebranded organization formerly known as Womanspace, offers aid for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
In connection with the honor, both organizations have been awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, along with leadership training designed to enhance the skills of each executive director and an emerging leader.
This training focuses on strategic planning, financial management, and long-term sustainability, equipping leaders with the tools needed to expand their services and adapt to evolving community needs. Additionally, the honorees gain access to a national network of Neighborhood Builders peers, fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and building partnerships that amplify their impact.
Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey, said B of A is thrilled to be able to help.
“Homelessness and domestic violence remain urgent challenges in New Jersey, impacting thousands of individuals and families each year,” he said.
“Organizations like Bridges Outreach and Younity are critical in addressing these issues — providing emergency housing, connecting families to long-term services, and ensuring survivors have access to safety and stability. We are grateful for their tireless efforts and are proud to support their work in creating brighter futures for vulnerable members of our community.”
Both nonprofits take community-led approaches to tackling some of New Jersey’s most persistent issues. According to data from New Jersey’s annual Point-in-Time Count of the Homeless, homelessness increased statewide by a notable 24% between 2023 and 2024. Essex County had the highest percentage of unhoused, with 19%. Those facing homelessness often do because of domestic violence: in New Jersey, 12% of people experiencing homelessness were also victim-survivors.
“It was truly an honor, simply to be considered for Neighborhood Builders. We are grateful for this award and recognition as we chart the course and expand our role in tackling homelessness in New Jersey,” President Richard Uniacke said “I am immensely grateful for the investment and support of Bank of America in the form of this prestigious program.”
Bridges Outreach is dedicated to addressing homelessness in New Jersey through street outreach, case management, and community partnerships. The bank’s funding will enable it to expand its staff, enhancing its capacity to analyze community needs, anticipate trends, and advocate for vulnerable populations based on robust data. This additional expertise will support Bridges’ leadership and use data to improve care coordination. By strengthening data-driven insights,
Bridges Outreach will expand its impact, including potentially replicating its successful 24/7 drop-in center in Newark to other cities. In 2023, Bridges Outreach helped transition 110 individuals from homelessness to permanent housing, a 45% increase from the previous year, serving communities across Essex and Union Counties.
Younity, previously Womanspace, just launched a new brand identity to reflect its ongoing commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in New Jersey. Fresh off this renaming, Younity will use Neighborhood Builders funding to expand its reach, broaden its capacity to provide essential services, ensure ongoing, comprehensive support for survivors, and strengthen its presence as a resource for safety and empowerment in the community. This support will reinforce Younity’s role as a trusted resource for safety, advocacy, and healing throughout Mercer County.
“We are deeply grateful to be recognized as a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder. This award comes at a critical time as we address the growing need for comprehensive support for victim-survivors impacted by violence in our community,” CEO Nathalie Nelson said. “The funding will enable us to serve even more individuals seeking safety and stability. Additionally, the leadership development opportunities provided through this award will empower our team to strategically plan for long-term success, ensuring we can continue to make a meaningful impact for years to come.”
Now in its 20th year, Neighborhood Builders is one of the largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership nationwide. In New Jersey, a variety of nonprofits have been named Neighborhood Builders over the years, with the most recent being Anchor House and CUMAC Echo Inc. in 2023.
