Pictured at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark – one of the cities eligible for participation in The Bridge Project – are: Khalid Sawaged, DO, FACOG, Chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Balpreet Grewal-Virk, PhD, Senior Vice President, Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health; and Suzanna Fritzberg, Executive Director of The Bridge Project.
NEWARK, N.J. – December 17, 2025 – RWJBarnabas Health has announced a $2 million investment in The Bridge Project, a groundbreaking initiative that provides unconditional cash assistance to low-income new and expectant mothers. The health system’s commitment, supported by state appropriation funding, was instrumental in bringing The Bridge Project to New Jersey for the first time, making RWJBarnabas Health the only health system in the state to support the program.
“RWJBarnabas Health is deeply committed to advancing maternal health for all mothers, and this investment reflects that commitment in action,” said Suzanne Spernal, DNP, APN-BC, Senior Vice President, Women’s Health, RWJBarnabas Health. “By directly supporting mothers during pregnancy and early childhood, we are helping ensure families have the financial stability, autonomy and dignity they deserve. The Bridge Project brings an innovative, evidence-based approach to maternal and infant well-being, and we are proud to help make it a reality in New Jersey.”
Through RWJBarnabas Health’s investment, which has served as a catalyst to raise additional resources, up to $20,000 will be placed directly into the hands of mothers during the first three years of their child’s life, helping families meet essential needs during a critical development period. The program’s no-strings-attached model offers a $1,125 prenatal stipend, followed by monthly payments for 36 months that promote healthy child development, parental well-being and household stability.
“At The Bridge Project, we have seen how investing directly in mothers can transform maternal and infant health, and drive lasting improvements in families’ financial stability,” said Suzanna Fritzberg, Executive Director of The Bridge Project. “Our partnership with RWJBarnabas Health has enabled us to expand our programming in New Jersey and support families when they need it most.”
The Bridge Project has expanded its evidence-based model to New Jersey from existing cohorts in New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Appalachia and Massachusetts. In New Jersey, the program will support 250 eligible pregnant individuals in the state, 100 of whom will be supported by RWJBarnabas Health’s investment. Since the program’s inception, The Bridge Project has served more than 2,000 families nationwide, with early data revealing participants noted increased savings, improved mental health and greater employment opportunities thanks to the financial stability provided through the monthly payments.
In New Jersey, eligible participants must be 18 years or older, reside in designated participating municipalities, have an annual household income below $44,000 and be 23 weeks pregnant or less at the time of enrollment; no Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number is required.
“Our investment in The Bridge Project is another example of how we are tackling social determinants of health head-on,” said Balpreet Grewal-Virk, PhD, Senior Vice President, Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health. “We recognize that the first three years of a child’s life are critical to long-term health and well-being. By supporting this program, we are helping to address childhood poverty at its roots while fulfilling our mission to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey.”
This initiative builds on RWJBarnabas Health’s longstanding efforts to reduce barriers to maternal and infant health and strengthen community well-being through targeted support, strategic partnerships and community-based investments.
For eligibility criteria in the New Jersey program or to apply, visit bridgeproject.org/apply.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit rwjbh.org.
About The Bridge Project
The Bridge Project works to end childhood poverty by providing moms in the U.S. with access to flexible cash through a unique combination of direct service, research, and policy influence. Since its inception as a neighborhood pilot in New York City in 2021, the Bridge Project has grown to eleven states across the U.S., committing $88 million to delivering direct, unconditional cash support to over 3,800 moms and babies.
Contact:
Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org