Kessler Foundation Awards More Than Two Million Dollars in Grants

October 1, 2008

WEST ORANGE, NJ - Grants to increase employment for people with disabilities in New Jersey

Kessler Foundation, one of the largest non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities, has recently awarded a series of grants worth more than two million dollars.

The grants, to be distributed to a variety of businesses, schools and other organizations, will support the employment of people with disabilities. In New Jersey today, there are 1.5 million people with a disability, but only one-third of those hold a job. Through its Program Center, the Foundation provides assistance to organizations that create employment programs or job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Kessler Program Center “Transition to Work” Grants Awarded

Kessler Program Center awarded a variety of grants this year, ranging in dollar amounts and length of programming. The grantees have each created programming and activities that help people with physical disabilities lead full and active lives by providing transportation, education, job training or job opportunities. Grants awarded include:

• Bergen Community College was awarded a grant for $500,000 to create an employment center for people with disabilities in the tri-county Bergen-Hudson-Passaic region.
• Allies Inc. of Hamilton, New Jersey received more than $400,000 to provide employment programming for more than 60 recent high school graduates
• Hudson Community Enterprises received more than $386,000 to develop a digital mail service business to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities
• The Washington Center for Internships & Academic Seminars received more than $107,000 to provide scholarships and program support for 11 students from New Jersey to attend the Public Service Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities
• Newark Museum Association received $20,000 to support two annual Arts Enrichment & Science Education Days for 1,000 children with disabilities and two workshops for 50 special education teachers

Grants benefit the following counties: Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Essex, Morris, Mercer, Middlesex and Union, as well as students from across the state.