RWJBarnabas Health said July 23 that New Jersey’s largest health system is providing $1.5 million to the Newark Asset Building Coalition, led by United Way of Greater Newark, to support its efforts to address poverty in New Jersey’s largest city and reduce the number of residents who struggle to meet their basic needs.
Seventy percent of Newark households meet the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) threshold. ALICE households are working but struggle to meet their basic housing, childcare, education, food, transportation, health-care and technology needs.
“RWJBarnabas Health is committed to building healthier communities by addressing the social determinants of health that lead to positive health outcomes,” said Balpreet Grewal-Virk, RWJBarnabas Health senior vice president, community health. “Financial insecurity is one of the greatest barriers to good health. That is why we are proud to partner with United Way of Greater Newark to support programs that improve financial stability for our ALICE employees and communities.”
Newark is the seat of Essex County, which has New Jersey’s highest rate of child food insecurity at 21.4%, according to data from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
RWJBarnabas Health’s contribution will support the coalition’s coordinated, city-wide financial stability strategy to provide Newark residents with the tools to increase income and assets while reducing debt. The initiative, which aims to reduce the number of residents who meet the ALICE threshold, includes the expansion of financial coaching services and job-skills training programs and a public education campaign to reach residents, particularly in communities with limited access to resources.
“ALICE populations are growing each year and with this support we hope to expand our reach and help more families achieve financial stability and growth,” said Catherine Wilson, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Newark.
Supporting partners of NABC include BRICK, Ironbound Community Corporation, Urban League Essex County, New Community Corporation, South Ward Environmental Alliance, Programs for Parents and New Jersey Citizen Action.
RWJBarnabas Health has historically partnered with local, state and federal leaders, and organizations, like United Way of Greater Newark, to collaborate and innovate to highlight the issues faced by ALICE households and to generate policies and solutions that promote financial and economic stability.
