Foundation funds innovative community programs; MetroWest agencies to offer mentoring, education, support
From the New Jersey Jewish News, July 13, 2011 by Johanna Ginsberg

Teens will learn how to use journalism to advocate for Israel. Seniors will gain confidence managing their transportation options. New parents will find guidance in the Jewish community to help them raise their children.

The Jewish Community Foundation announced the first cohort of grant recipients from the MetroWest Innovations Funding Initiative on June 23. MWI, launched this spring, was established by JCF to encourage MetroWest agencies to find inventive ways to engage diverse populations in Jewish life across our community.

Eight grants, including those mentioned above, were awarded this year, totaling approximately $108,000, to be distributed over two years.
• Jewish Family Service of MetroWest was awarded $15,000 for First Steps, in partnership with PJ Library and the Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, MetroWest’s Jewish education and identity-building agency. Aimed at helping first-time parents find support for the challenges of child-rearing, JFS will sponsor new support groups, hold individual consultations, create a new parenting blog, and promote the use of PJ library, which sends free Jewish-themed books to families with young children. This program is modeled after one in San Francisco that combines parenting resources with Jewish learning in a supportive environment.

Click here to read the complete article and for a listing of other agencies receiving funding.