Age-Friendly Grants Program is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Human Services. Offers funding opportunities to local government and nonprofit organizations to develop age-friendly initiatives supporting older adults.

# The New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program: # Introducing the 2025-2026 Grantees Natalie E. Pope, MBA, MSSW Hub for Aging Collaboration Rutgers University School of Social Work New Brunswick, New Jersey Aging Readiness and New Jersey 2 What Are Age-Friendly Communities? 3 What is the Age-Friendly Grants Program in New Jersey?

4 Overview of the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint 6 Who are the Grantees, and Where are They Located? 7 What Capacities Do the Grantees Bring to Their Work? 12 Community Grantees: How are They Getting Started?

14 Other Initial Activities of the Community Grantees 15 Project Grantees: What are They Working On? 16 Health & Socialization 19 Communication and Outreach 21 Summary and Conclusion 22 # This report provides an overview of the 38 grantees that were awarded funding in the inaugural New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program in 2025.

Specifically, the report details the communities and organizations that received funding in this pioneering grantmaking program and the ways in which the grantees are setting out to launch their respective community and project work. The report is organized as follows: • Section 1: Introduction.

This section provides an overview of population aging in New Jersey, the concept of age-friendly communities, the development of age-friendly efforts in New Jersey, the New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS) Age-Friendly Blueprint . • Section 2: Who are the Grantees of the NJDHS Age-Friendly Grants Program?

This section provides an overview of the 38 grantees, including their geographic distribution across the state, organizational auspices, and the community demographics of the community grantees. • Section 3: What Capacities Do the Grantees Bring to Their Work? This section highlights the existing strengths that the grantees bring to the start of their grant-funded age-friendly work.

• Section 4: Community Grantees: How are They Getting Started? This section summarizes the main start-up activities of the community grantees as they launch, including actions specific to the age-friendly program model (e.g., preparing for a community assessment, convening cross-sectoral stakeholders). • Section 5: Project Grantees: What are They Working On?

This section features brief summaries of the specific projects of each of the 10 project grantees, as aligned with the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint . • Section 6: Summary and Conclusion. This summary section shares cross-cutting reflections and insights at this early stage of the grants program.

# SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION | 2 # Aging Readiness and New Jersey Similar to the U.S. overall, 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 individuals ages 19 years and younger (refer to Figure 1).

The New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS) Age-Friendly Communities Grants Program is an important part of New Jersey’s work to become more aging ready. Aging ready refers to the ability of communities, organizations, and systems to effectively respond to both challenges and opportunities of population aging.

Aging-ready entities are those that are able to leverage a diversity of resources to promote health, well-being, and security as people age. New Jersey joins a growing number of states advancing policy innovations for aging readiness including age-friendly grantmaking programs and Multisector Plans for Aging.

This report features the 2025-2026 New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program as a pioneering effort to promote aging readiness across New Jersey's diverse communities.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2010 Data: American Community Survey; 2020 Data and 2030-205 Projections: University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service) NEW JERSEY POPULATION FROM 2010-2050 * (PERCENTAGES AND NUMBER IN MILLIONS) YOUTH AGES 0-19 OLDER ADULTS AGES 60+ ## 24 %23 %24 % 24 %26 %25 % 25 %23 %26 %19 %2. 25 M2. 26 M2.

34 M 2. 33 M2. 15 M2.

49 M 2. 47 M ## 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 FIGURE 2. DOMAINS OF LIVABILITY # What Are Age-Friendly Communities?

Age-friendly communities (AFCs) are places that are inclusive and supportive of people as they age. Spurred by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the early 2000s, the AFC approach calls on local leaders, especially from the public sector, to develop multi-sector, coordinated actions that support healthy aging. AFCs encourages efforts to enhance multiple domains of community livability, as displayed in Figure 2.

From these developments, AFC initiatives have emerged as deliberate, cross-sectoral efforts to make place-based communities more supportive of long and healthy lives. AFC initiatives typically develop over a multi-year period, as displayed in Figure 3. They oftentimes launch by forming a committee or action team of diverse stakeholder groups, including older residents.

Communities then pursue a letter of support from high-level officials in support of the work (e.g., mayors) and, in the U.S., enroll in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities to further formalize their commitment to AFC progress. Then, communities conduct assessments to identify key priority areas on aging for their community to address.

They then develop and implement a data-driven action plan and monitor their progress over time. AFC initiatives are encouraged to engage in these steps as part of an ongoing process of continuous improvement that is repeated in approximately five-year cycles. > Image Source: https://www.

aarp. org/livable-communities/network-age- > friendly-communities/info-2016/8-domains-of-livability-introduction. html FIGURE 3.

AARP PROGRAM CYCLE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT > Image Source: https://www. aarp. org/livable-communities/network-age- > friendly-communities/info-2014/getting-started.

html # What is the Age-Friendly Grants Program in New Jersey? As age-friendly efforts have grown and evolved over the past two decades, it is well recognized that even modest investments of dedicated resources can enhance the long-term viability and impact of AFC initiatives. For example, dedicated staffing is important for the effective coordination and engagement of the unique mix of people and groups involved in AFC efforts.

Funding also can help AFC initiatives access digital technologies, such as platforms for communicating to the public and efficiently sharing information across organizations and groups. Recognizing the importance of such investments, NJDHS launched the Age-Friendly Grants Program. This program is part of a broader effort promoting age-friendly planning and action.

The grants program was designed, in part, as a follow-up to the release of the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint (refer to p. 6), a document that sets forth priorities and possibilities for age-friendly progress in New Jersey. Figure 4 (next page) displays a timeline of key milestones for New Jersey’s development as an Age-Friendly State predating the grants program.

Funding for the New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program came from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Co-administration of the state grant program was awarded to the Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy (Rutgers Bloustein School). Evaluation services were sub-awarded to the Rutgers University School of Social Work (RUSSW).

In August of 2024, NJDHS invited community leaders throughout the state to apply for an age-friendly grant according to two distinct types of grants: community grants and project grants. Table 1 provides more information about each type. Both aim to catalyze age-friendly action across New Jersey.

The Rutgers Bloustein School also provides technical assistance (TA) to the grantees. While structured differently for the two grantee types, the TA efforts support grantees in addressing challenges and enhancing their capacity in implementing their projects, such as strategies for reaching older adults, program sustainability, and best practices for developing organizational partnerships. TABLE 1.

TWO TYPES OF GRANTS Age-Friendly Community Grant One-time grant intended to launch an age-friendly community initiative. Aligning with the WHO/AARP program model, this grant aims to support work in building partnerships, enrolling in the AARP network, conducting a community needs assessment, and creating an action plan.

Municipal or County Government Entity or Nonprofit Partnering with a Municipality or County $70,000 Quarterly group meetings with Rutgers Bloustein staff to discuss group progress and shared experiences Age-Friendly Projects Grant One-time grant to support a project advancing one or more of the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint priorities. (Refer to p. 6 for more information about the Age-Friendly Blueprint.)

Nonprofit or Government Entity $100,000 Two one-on-one meetings between each of the project grantees and Rutgers Bloustein staff INTRODUCTION | 5 FIGURE 4.

TIMELINE OF AGE-FRIENDLY MILESTONES IN NEW JERSEY # 2020 Somerset is the first county in New Jersey to join the AARP NAFSC By Governor’s Executive Order, New Jersey is the 9th state in the U.S. to join the AARP NAFSC NJDHS announces a request for proposals for the NJ Age-Friendly Grants Program; 10 project and 17 community grantees are selected NJDHS releases the Age-Friendly Blueprint with input from the Age-Friendly State Advisory Council # 2019 Regional and statewide coalitions begin to form with the aim to strengthen and grow age-friendly efforts across New Jersey The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation (HMTF) and the Grotta Fund for Older Adults (Grotta) host a keystone conference to introduce age-friendly efforts in New Jersey # 2014 Princeton is the first municipality in New Jersey to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (NAFSC) # 2016 HMTF and Grotta launch a private philanthropic grant program to start-up AFC initiatives in municipalities across central and northern New Jersey (their organizations' focal geographies) NJDHS announces a second request for proposals; 11 additional community grantees are selected INTRODUCTION | 6 BLUEPRINT RECOMMENDATIONS Housing Transportation Health Socialization Employment Communication & Outreach ## Read the full report at: # Overview of the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint The NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint reflects a multi-year, cross-sectoral effort to develop a guide to catalyze and coordinate age-friendly action in New Jersey.

Spurred by Governor Executive Order 227, the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint was created through a partnership between NJDHS and an Advisory Council consisting of leaders in local governments, higher education, business, nonprofits, and community groups across New Jersey. The Blueprint resulted from an 18-month development process consisting of monthly meetings, presentations, and two public listening sessions.

The final report was released in May 2024. The Blueprint presents 59 recommendations for age-friendly action organized across six overarching categories: Housing, Health, Transportation, Socialization, Employment, and Communication and Outreach. These recommendations are intended to serve as guideposts for local and statewide efforts to make New Jersey communities more aging ready.

The Blueprint and the New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program were designed to be mutually reinforcing state-level efforts that spur local- and regional-level age-friendly efforts across New Jersey. ## https://www. nj.

gov/humanservices/news/ reports/AF%20Blueprint_v5. pdf 12 RECOMMENDATIONS 14 RECOMMENDATIONS 9 RECOMMENDATIONS 8 RECOMMENDATIONS 9 RECOMMENDATIONS 7 RECOMMENDATIONS WHO ARE THE GRANTEES | 7 # Who are the Grantees, and Where are They Located? # The 2025-2026 Grantees includes 28 community grantees and 10 project grantees.

Collectively, the 38 total grantees represent 17 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. The grantees are located throughout New Jersey, with 45%, 34%, and 21% in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state, respectively. * The list of grantees and their approximate geographies are displayed on the map in Figure 5 (next page) and listed alphabetically in Table 2 (p.

9). Regarding administrative auspices, most of the community grantees (17 out of 28) were local municipal administrations, followed by county administrations (6 out of 28), and five private nonprofits in partnership with a local government. Community demographics for the community grantees, organized by the municipalities and then the counties, are displayed in Table 3 (p.

10) and Table 4 (p. 11), respectively. The municipalities varied in size and demographic composition, with total populations ranging from 814 to 291,663 residents (median: 25,946).

The municipalities also differed in terms of the percentage of their population age 60 and over, spanning 5% to 30% (median: 23%). The median education level was 59% with a Bachelor's Degree or higher. Median household income ranged from $53,306 to $223,409.

The median racial/ethnic composition of the municipality-focused community grantees was 60% White, 4% Black, 13% Asian, and 11% Hispanic (of any race). The counties were similarly diverse. Regarding the project grantees, 8 out of 10 were led by private nonprofit organizations.

They ranged from grassroots community organizations (e.g., Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs) to statewide policy and advocacy organizations (e.g., New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well). Several of the project grantees were regional nonprofits covering multiple counties (e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ, Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey).

Two additional project grantees were local administrations (Paramus Borough and Bound Brook Borough). *Central region defined as Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon Counties. WHO ARE THE GRANTEES | 8 Community Grantee (County) Project Grantee Community Grantee (Municipal) FIGURE 5.

MAP OF GRANTEES (Refer to Table 2 on Next Page for Legend of Grantee Numbers with Names) For exact grantee locations, access the online map at: https://go. rutgers.

edu/2025-njdhs-grantees-map 10 WHO ARE THE GRANTEES | 9 2 Bernards Township (Greater Somerset County YMCA) 3 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ 5 Cape May County (Rutgers Cooperative Extension) 10 EZ Ride (Meadowlands Transportation Brokerage Corp.) 13 Healthy People Worldwide 16 Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey TABLE 2.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF GRANTEES 1,2 Numbers correspond to map on prior page 23 Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs 24 New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well 26 North Ocean Habitat for Humanity 31 Paterson City (CUMAC ECHO) 32 Princeton Borough (Center for Modern Aging Princeton) 1. Source of municipal names for grantees: https://www. nj.

gov/cgi-bin/infobank/localsearch. pl 2.

Non-profit grantee lead organization listed in parentheses as relevant WHO ARE THE GRANTEES | 10 MUNICIPALITIES Total Population > Percent Persons Age 60+ > Percent Bachelor's Degree + Bernards Township 27,840 25% 73% $182,480 64% 2% 24% 6% Carteret Borough 25,187 23% 28% $87,553 22% 17% 24% 34% Cherry Hill Township 77,315 26% 59% $125,512 67% 6% 13% 9% Cliffside Park Borough 25,580 27% 42% $94,960 45% 3% 13% 32% Edison Township 106,834 22% 63% $127,080 26% 8% 50% 11% Fair Lawn Borough 35,153 24% 64% $147,952 66% 4% 13% 13% Frenchtown Borough 1,609 22% 51% $107,969 78% 0% 6% 10% Hillside Township 22,179 20% 29% $98,558 16% 52% 2% 26% Jersey City 291,663 16% 57% $91,286 24% 17% 26% 27% Lakewood Township 67,764 5% 31% $70,483 82% 1% 1% 14% Leonia Borough 9,300 29% 61% $116,429 32% 3% 38% 23% Lodi Borough 25,946 21% 28% $84,570 39% 8% 8% 40% Mahwah Township 25,375 30% 60% $128,125 72% 2% 11% 10% Montgomery Township 23,643 21% 80% $223,409 47% 4% 41% 5% Oradell Borough 8,197 24% 72% $214,736 72% 1% 15% 7% Orange City 33,973 18% 21% $53,306 5% 57% 2% 30% Paterson City 156,419 19% 12% $56,907 8% 21% 5% 64% Princeton Borough 30,451 17% 85% $184,113 60% 6% 20% 8% Rocky Hill Borough 814 27% 73% $127,344 81% 1% 4% 8% Toms River Township 99,090 29% 36% $92,602 75% 4% 6% 10% Verona Township 14,441 26% 68% $159,044 83% 1% 4% 8% > Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau Census Reporter, https://censusreporter.

org/profiles > *Given how data are reported in U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic community demographic includes individuals of any race. All other reported racialized categories are are non-Hispanic.

WHO ARE THE GRANTEES | 11 COUNTIES Total Population Percent Bachelor's Degree + Bergen County 957,736 26% 53% $116,709 51% 5% 17% 23% Cape May County 94,610 40% 41% $84,364 84% 2% 1% 8% Middlesex County 863,623 23% 46% $105,055 37% 10% 26% 24% Ocean County 659,197 30% 34% $85,464 81% 2% 2% 11% Salem County 65,338 27% 27% $87,294 70% 13% 1% 12% Somerset County 348,842 24% 58% $142,092 48% 9% 20% 18% Sussex County 146,132 28% 41% $110,785 79% 3% 3% 13% New Jersey 9,290,841 25% 44% $99,781 51% 12% 10% 23% Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau Census Reporter, https://censusreporter.

org/profiles *Given how data are reported in U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic community demographic includes individuals of any race. All other reported racialized categories are are non-Hispanic. GRANTEE CAPACITIES | 12 # What Capacities Do the Grantees Bring to Their Work?

# The New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program requires organizations to leverage different types of resources to accomplish tasks and goals. A survey asked grantees at the outset of the program to report on their organizational capacities with respect to several key areas for age-friendly community work, such as engaging public officials and developing inter-organizational committees or groups.

This survey was made available to 27 grantees, including all project grantees and the community grantees that were awarded funding in the first half of 2025. Figure 6 summarizes the responses of the 18 grantees that responded to the survey, including 12 project grantees and 6 community grantees.

The vast majority of grantees reported having excellent or good levels of capacity in engaging both municipally elected officials and older residents (n=17 and n=16, respectively). These organizational capacities are a particularly notable strength given the local-level nature of age-friendly work that blends both grassroots, participatory approaches with top-down support from local public sector actors.

Additional areas of existing capacities for most grantees (n=15) included engaging county elected officials, writing/submitting grants, and using strength-based language when communicating about aging and older adults. Many grantees (n=14) also shared that they had a high level of capacity to convene inter-organizational groups and committees on aging, including the use of digital technologies to work across organizations.

In contrast, an area where grantees indicated they had the most room for growth was positioning older adults as grassroots leaders and advocates, and, as is a common challenge in age-friendly efforts, especially working with older adults at risk for social exclusion. Another commonly reported area for growth was capacity to sustain long-term projects in anticipation of funding shifts. GRANTEE CAPACITIES | 13 FIGURE 6.

GRANTEE CAPACITIES (OF 18 RESPONDING GRANTEES FUNDED IN FIRST HALF OF 2025) > 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% osi tioning older resi dents a s g rassr oots a ge-friendly ai ning long-term projects whe n fun ding shi fts (n =16) Workin g wit h older adults at ris k for socia l exc lusio n Communica ting with state l ea der s Using dat a t o inform strat egic goal s ng dig it al platforms for workin g across organizatio ns an inter -organizational co mmittee, co unci l, or work nnect ing with other age-friendly community lea der s Communicating about aging in ways that use “reframing” principles Writi ng and su bmitti ng grants En gagin g county elected offic ia ls Engaging older res iden ts Engaging municipally el ect ed offici als ellent or Good Fair , Min im al, o r None Positioning older residents as grassroots age-friendly advocates and leaders Engaging municipally elected officials Communicating about aging in ways that use “reframing” principles Writing and submitting grants Engaging county elected officials Using digital platforms for working across organizations Developing an inter-organizational committee, council, or work group Connecting with other age-friendly community leaders Using data to inform strategic goals Communicating with state leaders Sustaining long-term projects when funding shifts (n=16) Working with older adults at risk for social exclusion COMMUNITY GRANTEE EFFORTS | 14 # The initial cohort of 17 community grantees began their work in the summer of 2025, with 11 additional grantees starting in the fall.

Survey responses among the community grantees funded in the first half of 2025 (n=12) indicated that the early work of the community grantees involves building connections with key community constituencies and setting up the "people power" for establishing their AFC initiatives. The most common action that community grantees reported was conducting targeted outreach to elected officials at the municipal and county levels (92%).

This initial activity reflects the requirement of a commitment of support from local elected leadership for a locality to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Most grantees (83%) reported that they were also conducting targeted outreach to both key community organizations and older adults, while also starting to broadcast information about the projects to the public at large (75%).

Many grantees (83%) also shared that a key activity at this early point was designating or hiring key personnel to # Community Grantees: How are They Getting Started?

Targeted Outreach to Municipal/County Elected Officials Targeted Outreach to Organizations & Older Adults Designating or Hiring Key Personnel Broadcasting Information to the Public implement the grant, encompassing the adjustment of responsibilities for existing staff, bringing on new staff to oversee the project, and hiring outside consultants.

COMMUNITY GRANTEE EFFORTS | 15 # Other Initial Activities of the Community Grantees In addition to designating personnel and initiating communications, community grantees also shared that they were beginning to set up other key aspects of their AFC initiative, including: • Establishing leadership structures (e.g., forming a Leadership Team or Age-Friendly Advisory Committee) (83%) • Organizing materials for conducting their community assessments (75%) • Cultivating older adults as leaders and core partners (75%) • Joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (half of the responding grantees reported their community as already enrolled, and the other half were in varying stages of enrolling ) Photos of Early Actions from Community Grantees A: Photo of Age-Friendly Leonia tabling at Leonia Day B: News article from 70and73.

com about Cherry Hill Township's launch of its age-friendly community assessment C: Flyer for a community session about the age-friendly initiative in Frenchtown Borough D: Meeting for grantees in Verona Township > http s:/ /www. 7 0and73. com/cherry_hill /cherry-h ill-z eroin g-in -o n-n eeds-o f-i ts-s enior-cit izen-p opulatio n-s eeking-e ngagement-a nd-partic ipation/artic le_b978cca8-2 dc1-4 9de-8 5bb-4 adee4a75575.

h tml Cherry Hill zeroing in on needs of its senior citizen population, seeking engagement and participation. > With a sharp "snap!" blu e fans were burst open by dancers to mark the beat of li ne dancing as they spun aro und > and moved their feet in unison.

> This agile gro up on a Thursday mornin g in June at the Cherry Hill Community Center was not re hearsing — this > was the real thin g, their weekly exercise in the program sponsore d by Cherry Hil l Township for senior cit izens. > The progra m is one of several for old er residents of > South Jersey's largest municip ali ty as the Township > works to engage its older population.

A research > Cherry Hill seniors li ne dancing at the Communit y Center. Cherr y Hill Residents, 60 and Older The number of people 60 and older was up 19% between 2010 and 2023, accor ding t o estimates fr om the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Sur vey. P eople 60 and older accounted for 26% of the total population in Cherr y Hill in 2023, up fr om 23% in 2010.

Fre nchtown Mayor’s Town Hall: Promoting an Age -Fri en dly Fren ch to wn Sa tu rday, O ct ober 1 1 • 10:00 am • Frenchtown Elementary School The Borough of Frenchtown is one of 17 New Jersey town s and counties that received a grant f ro m the sta te Dep art men t of Hu man Servi ces to promote strategies that make Frenchto wn liv able fo r old er a dult s.

The grant will be used to build community partnerships, document current services avai la ble to old er res id en ts, exec ute a community needs assessment, and create an ac ti on pl an to promote Age -Friendly practices throughout the Borough. At its regular August meeting, Frenchtown Bor ough Council adopted a resolution jo in ing the AARP Net work of Age - Friendly States and Communities.

Join Ma yor Brad Myhre and other members of Borough Council to hear abo ut Fre nc ht own’ s Age -Friendly planning effort and to offer your tho ug ht s on ho w to make Fre nc ht own mor e livable for older residents. Saturday, October 11 • 10:00 am Frenchtown Elementary School If you need assistance or accommo dati ons to att end the meeting, pl ease reac h out to Frencht own Boro ugh Cl erk clerk@fr en chto wn bor o.

go v # DPROJECT GRANTEE SUMMARIES | 16 # Project Grantees: What are They Working On? # The 10 project grantees are broadly advancing work toward age-friendly progress across the six priority areas of the NJDHS Age-Friendly Blueprint : housing, health, transportation, socialization, employment, and communication and outreach.

Summarized below are the aims of each project and the specific recommendation from the NJDHS Age- Friendly Blueprint that they advance. We present them according to the primary age-friendly domain that they address, while also recognizing that a project’s work in one domain can bring about benefits in other domains.

For example, a project that enhances transportation services can also promote socialization by helping people access opportunities for social engagement.

Project 1: Housing Plus Aging in Place Repair Grantee: North Ocean Habitat for Humanity Population: Adults ages 60 years and older in Ocean County with a focus on homeowners in Toms River and Manchester, NJ North Ocean Habitat for Humanity is a New Jersey-based affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. It offers a home-repair program for low-income older adults through its Housing Plus Aging in Place repair program.

This program seeks to help older adults remain in their home as long as possible more safely and independently by providing critical home repairs and aging-in-place modifications. Home repair efforts, such as providing hand-rail support, are coupled with a holistic health assessment from a social worker and referrals to other health and community services.

The age-friendly project grant is allowing the organization to expand this work by reaching more older adult homeowners and onboarding additional volunteers. It also is helping the organization service a growing number of households on a waitlist for the program.

Blueprint Housing Recommendation #1: Offset facility-based placements by promoting strategies that support aging in place, including home modifications and maintenance assistance programs.

# Housing PROJECT GRANTEE SUMMARIES | 17 Project 2: Age-Friendly Employment Certification Grantee: New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well (NJAAW) Population: Organizations statewide that employ people ages 50 years and older NJAAW is working in partnership with the Age-Friendly Institute to bring an age-friendly business certification program to New Jersey: the Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) program.

CAFE is a long-standing program of the Age-Friendly Institute that promotes age-friendly employment practices throughout the world. Through this project, NJAAW and the Age-Friendly Institute aim to recruit 12-15 businesses and employers to form an inaugural cohort of New Jersey organizations in the CAFE program.

This project extends from NJAAW’s work with the Age-Friendly Institute over the past two years to bring the CAFE program to New Jersey, having hosted several webinars and speaking engagements to connect New Jersey employers with the program. Blueprint Employment Recommendation #8: Obtain credentials, such as CAFE, to signal workplace support for older employees.

Project 3: EZ Ryde4Life Expansion Grantee: Meadowlands Transportation Brokerage Corp. d/b/a EZ Ride Population: Older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, people with limited incomes (statewide) EZ Ryde4Life promotes access to rides in New Jersey by helping people connect with the services of transportation management networks such as Uber and Lyft.

EZ Ryde4Life works in partnership with local leaders, such as county and municipal agencies and community-based organizations, to reduce the cost of rides for clients and lower transportation barriers. The program provides a telephone number that people can call to request and arrange rides. The New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program is helping EZ Ride expand its services in two ways.

First, grant funds are supporting the development of a new customer-facing app for people to access EZ Ryde4Life services. The app aims to provide greater flexibility for users across all demographics, reduce call wait times, and enhance user experience. Second, grant funds are being used to integrate with a higher-level services (door-to-door) provider, including wheelchair accessibility.

Blueprint Transportation Recommendation #4: Enhance local transit options by expanding transportation service areas, establishing alternative forms of transit, and collaborating with community organizations.

# Transportation PROJECT GRANTEE SUMMARIES | 18 Project 4: Senior Rides Expansion Grantee: Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey Population: Adults ages 55 years and older in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties This project aims to expand an existing program of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey: Senior Rides.

Originally launched as a pilot program for older members of the Jewish community in 2023, Senior Rides provides affordable and reliable transportation through a partnership with ride-providing businesses.

Working in close partnership with municipal services for older adults in Voorhees Tonwship, the age-friendly project grant is helping to scale and expand Senior Rides beyond its pilot phase to benefit people of all religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Blueprint Transportation Recommendation #4: Enhance local transit options by expanding transportation service areas, establishing alternative forms of transit, and collaborating with community organizations.

Project 5: NJTIP Passaic Senior Transportation and Engagement Program (STEP) Grantee: New Jersey Travel Independence Program @ Rutgers (NJTIP) Population: Older adults and community leaders in Paterson and Wayne, NJ NJTIP @ Rutgers aims to empower New Jersey residents to use public transportation to safely access essential destinations.

Through the age-friendly project grant, NJTIP is launching a new initiative: the NJTIP Passaic Senior Transportation and Engagement Program (STEP). This initiative seeks to educate local older adults and professionals in the City of Paterson and Wayne Township on how to effectively navigate public and community (non-automobile) transit.

The program consists of trainings and excursions for older adult participants, as well as classroom training for professionals in aging. Using a participatory approach, the project involves the formation of an advisory committee and conducting community listening sessions in Wayne and Paterson to inform and guide program development and implementation.

Additionally, data are collected from older adult participants and other community stakeholders to better understand their mobility needs and challenges, which is helping to customize the Passaic STEP programming offerings and evaluation. Blueprint Transportation Recommendation #8: Explore and promote existing travel training opportunities to increase the level of comfort in navigating public transportation.

PROJECT GRANTEE SUMMARIES | 19 Project 6: Brightening the Path Grantee: Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs Population: Older adults in Dover, NJ, with a focus on the Hispanic community The Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs is a community-based organization focused on the Hispanic communities and low-income residents of