Somerset Hills YMCA, in partnership with Bernards Township, has been awarded a $70,000 grant through the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Age-Friendly Grants Program. The initiative backs local efforts to build more inclusive, supportive and livable communities for older adults.
The NJDHS Age-Friendly Grants Program recognizes that even modest investments can enhance the sustainability and long-term impact of age-friendly community initiatives. This funding aligns with statewide priorities to expand age-friendly planning, strengthen local partnerships, and support long-term community well-being.
Somerset Hills YMCA, a branch of Greater Somerset County YMCA, is leading the initiative, working closely with Bernards Township, which will provide support through planning, outreach and the consideration of integration of findings into local services.
“Through this partnership, Bernards Township will support Somerset Hills YMCA in its efforts to assess, plan and implement age-friendly initiatives that will enhance the quality of life for older adults in our community,” said Bernards Mayor Janice Fields.
Program components will include Somerset Hills YMCA’s Healthy Aging Program, with older adult participants helping shape topics such as falls prevention, digital literacy and intergenerational storytelling. Workshops, presentations, peer learning opportunities and partnerships with statewide organizations will help ensure programming reflects the lived experiences and needs of the community.
Committeewoman Ana Duarte McCarthy will serve as the Township Committee liaison. “Nearly 18% of Bernards Township residents are aged 65 and older, representing a significant and growing segment of the community,” she said. “Through this partnership with the Y on the Age-Friendly Community Grant, we will actively work with residents and local organizations to make our community an age-friendly place to live.”
Rutgers University last month published an evaluation report on the 38 grantees that were awarded funding in the inaugural New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program in 2025.
The report details the communities and organizations that received funding in this grantmaking program and the ways in which the grantees are setting out to launch their respective community and project work.
This report drew on data publicly available about the grantees and their communities, such as through the U.S. Census Bureau and press releases. It used data from a subset of the grantees that responded to a survey administered when the grantees had either just started to launch their planning activities or implement their funded projects.
The report cited U.S. Census Bureau data that showed New Jersey’s population is aging. Over the next decade, older adults will continue to constitute the fastest-growing age group. By 2030, New Jersey is projected to have more people over age 60 than those ages 19 years and younger.
