NJ TRANSIT’s Access Link paratransit service is an important lifeline for customers with disabilities who travel to work, medical appointments, recreational and entertainment destinations, shopping, and more. Access Link provides public transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use our existing local bus service.
Provides legal and advocacy services, training, education and related activities to persons with disabilities.
Founded in 1976, the Community Health Law Project (CHLP) is a New Jersey statewide not-for-profit advocacy and legal service organization which provides legal representation and advocacy services to low-income individuals with disabilities and the frail elderly. The organization has traditionally specialized in services exclusively for these populations, although recently the organization has begun to provide broader services through the creation of medical-legal partnerships that offer the entire range of civil law.
Through the services it offers, CHLP maintains the independence and self-sufficiency of its clients so that they can live productive lives as contributing members of their communities. Clients are comprised of persons with chronic mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mobility impairments, sensory impairments that render persons blind or deaf, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and more recently persons with substance use disorders and chronic health conditions. In summary, their clients are individuals who, by virtue of their age, health, or disability, cannot negotiate the complexities of daily life on their own and need the assistance of attorneys and advocates to help them with legal matters so that they may continue to live independently.
Available to all Essex county residents.
The Dial-A-Ride Program is a free transportation service that is available to all senior citizens over the age of 60 and any resident with a disability or handicap. Eligible residents can schedule rides by calling the recreation department during regular business hours: Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
This is a “curb to curb” service that picks up residents and takes them to any destination throughout Essex County. To schedule an appointment please call 973-566-7194.
The Division of Developmental Disabilities provides public funding for services and supports that assist New Jersey adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities age 21 and older to live as independently as possible.
Available for all Essex county residents.
Intensive In-Community service is a home and/or community-based intervention provided by a licensed clinician, specialized in servicing children, adolescents, and young adults. This service is offered to assist at-risk youth ages 5-21 and their families in overcoming and successfully managing the obstacles of a range of emotional, social, and/or behavioral concerns. Our professional and experienced clinicians are held to the highest standard and offer individualized treatment plans tailored to the youth and family. These services are geared to offer stability and support in order to prevent potential need for higher level of services.
Empower U. is a learning organization that strives to continuously support children, families, and communities through providing innovative and sustainable empowerment and therapeutic programming.
Isaiah House’s mission is to reduce the prevalence of homelessness in the greater Newark, NJ region.
Since our founding in 1988 Isaiah House has served, with dignity and respect, tens of thousands of homeless and at-risk families including People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs), families of every definition, single women, runaway teens experiencing homelessness, and mothers with newborns. Isaiah House also offers a food pantry and connection to essential but often costly resources such as school supplies, household items and other essential needs.
Available to all Essex County residents.
The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and vision Impaired was established in 1910 by order of the
NJ State Legislature. This agency’s mission is to promote and provide services in the areas of education,
employment, independent living and eye health through informed choice and partnership with persons
who are blind or vision impaired, their families and the community.
The mission of Newark Community Health Centers is to provide affordable, high quality, and accessible healthcare to the communities that we serve. As one of the largest providers of comprehensive primary care services for uninsured and medically underserved populations in one of the country’s most populated areas, our primary goal is to eliminate health disparities and help people live stronger, healthier, and happier lives.
To stabilize families and individuals in crisis, especially the working poor, homeless and those in financial need and provide them with financial support and life skills training to live on their own.
NESF provides case management and direct assistance to low-income, the working poor and homeless individuals and families in greater Essex County. We provide the following programs and services:
Homeless Services
Our homeless Drop-In Center provides a safe and nurturing environment where homeless consumers can take showers, receive food, wash clothes and use the telephone as well as access our food and clothing pantry. The Center is staffed with experienced personnel who provide linkages to emergency shelters and other supportive services.
Supportive Assistance for Individuals and Families (SAIF)
Funded by the State of New Jersey, SAIF offers a safety net for those individuals who are receiving General Assistance and nearing their five-year lifetime benefits. Through intensive case management, life skills training, benefits counseling, referrals to job readiness programs and linkages to medical care and other counseling services, program participants are provided with the essentials to gain self-sufficiency. This program is referral-based by the Essex County Division of Welfare to NESF.
Prisoner Re-Entry Program
Funded through the City of Newark, NESF offers comprehensive re-entry services to the formally incarcerated. Our program includes long-term goal setting, case management, linkages to in-house services and programs, job readiness programs, housing information, referrals to medical care and other counseling services. If needed, program participants can receive short-term shelter vouchers, access to the food and clothing pantry, as well as furniture assistance referrals, obtaining proper identification and support in meeting their basic living needs.
Emergency Services
Through our centralized intake and initial assessment process, we provide supportive services to individuals and families experiencing financial hardships, such as; rapid re-housing for those experiencing homelessness, rental and mortgage assistance, security deposits, utility assistance and short-term shelter placements. Consumer interviews and eligibility determinations are by appointment only.
Central & West Ward Family Success Center
NESF is home to the Central and West Wards Family Success Center (FSC). Our FSC is a one-stop comprehensive resource center that promotes family unity and empowerment. The Center hosts monthly parent training workshops, grandparent support group, access to our community computer lab and direct emergency assistance. Program Initiatives include:
Fatherhood Program Initiative: This program assist fathers and any male age 13 and over to become a better individual and father. Through the 24/7 Dad Curriculum, our goal is to have fathers remain committed, responsible and involved in their children’s lives in a positive and interactive way by improving their knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Grandparents Support Group: Our Grandparents support group provides supportive services to grandparents who are now rearing their grandchildren.
Food and Clothing Pantry
To alleviate nutritional shortfalls in families that are "food dependent," our agency has an on-site food and clothing pantry where consumers can receive weather appropriate clothing, food bags and food vouchers.
Additional Services
In partnership with the NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired and New Eyes for the Needy, NESF offers free eye screenings and corrective lens vouchers to eligible consumers. This service occurs on the 3rd and 4th Wednesday of every month. Consumers are seen on a first come, first serve basis. In partnership with Public Health Solutions, it allows our consumers to apply for reduced medical coverage on-site through the Affordable Healthcare Act.
As the primary source for New Jersey Career Connections' career navigation services, One-Stop Career Centers offer the most services and provide the most direction for jobseekers. They are staffed with qualified employment counselors to provide guidance for jobseekers. Other services, such as job training, are also offered at these locations.
Special Dragons is a therapeutic karate program for kids with special challenges. Program is designed by special education teachers and black-belts. All disabilities welcome. In-person locations available as well as virtual.
All NJ residents welcome.
The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is an independent 501(c)3 organization committed to empowering families as advocates and partners in improving education, health, and mental health outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youth. SPAN is a "first stop" for New Jersey families. SPAN is New Jersey's Parent Training and Information Center; Family to Family Health Information Center; Family Voices State Affiliate Organization; Parent to Parent USA affiliate; and a chapter of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.
The University Hospital (UH) Trauma Recovery Center is a 16-week program (which may be extended for those who need it) aimed at healing survivors’ injuries holistically by addressing them emotionally, physically, and socially.
Through targeted trauma-informed mental health services, we aim to support survivors in restoring the daily functioning that was disrupted by victimization. The goal is for survivors of trauma to successfully regain independence in all areas of their lives. Our program is staffed by Licensed Social Work Clinicians, Social Workers, and other supportive staff.