Supported by State Appropriations, Investments Will Enhance Access to Care, Food Security, Economic Stability in Underserved Communities
New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill and Middlesex County Commissioner and Chair of the Community Services Committee Claribel A. Azcona-Barber joined Bill Arnold, Chief Executive Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Senior Vice President of Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health, gathered to present donations toward investments in community programming to leaders from the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick, My Brother’s Keeper Middlesex County, The Urban Health Collaborative and the Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation.
New Brunswick, N.J., May 20, 2026 – RWJBarnabas Health today announced a combined $1.5 million investment to support local organizations working to address barriers to care, food insecurity and economic stability among underserved communities in New Brunswick and Middlesex County. These grants are funded through RWJBarnabas Health’s Our Healthy Communities initiative and supported by state appropriations to address the social determinants of health to create healthier communities and improve health outcomes for residents.
“Addressing health disparities requires more than clinical care; it demands meaningful investment in the communities we serve,” said Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Senior Vice President for Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health. “Through Our Healthy Communities, we are proud to support trusted local organizations that are advancing access to nutritious food, preventive care, and economic opportunity. These partnerships are essential to building sustainable, healthier futures for residents across New Brunswick and Middlesex County.”
Specifically, the funding will support:
- Civic League of Greater New Brunswick – $450,000
Grant funds will support the ENVE (Elevating Nutritional Value through Education) program to expand and enhance community-based feeding programs through strategic investment in food procurement, nutrition education materials, and program coordination. The resources will ensure the consistent provision of healthy meals, development of culturally relevant educational materials and operational support for partner sites.
- My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Middlesex County – $450,000
Grant funds will support implementation of social and emotional well-being initiatives and programming, peer-to-peer mentorship, and other efforts to provide pathways to economic mobility for boys and young men.
- The Urban Health Collaborative – $450,000
Grant funds will support efforts to address barriers to care by connecting high-need New Brunswick-area residents to preventative healthcare services, health screenings, and health education workshops.
- Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation (ZBEF) – $150,000
Grant funds will support efforts to increase access for residents of Middlesex County to social, educational, recreational and emotional programs, including health fairs and screenings, food assistance, nutrition education, and career development.
“RWJBarnabas Health continues to demonstrate what true community partnership looks like. These investments will directly support organizations that are doing extraordinary work every day to improve the lives of residents throughout New Brunswick and Middlesex County,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “Whether it is addressing food insecurity, expanding access to healthcare, creating opportunities for young people, or strengthening community wellness programs, these initiatives will have a lasting impact on the health and future of our neighborhoods.“
Through Our Healthy Communities, RWJBarnabas Health is partnering with local leaders, health care providers, clergy, civic and community-based organizations to strengthen critical social and health care infrastructure and expand patient access to care, healthy foods, nutrition education, transportation, economic mobility, and stable housing. Through the community health resources from the State of New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health has reinvested more than $151 million in community health initiatives beyond traditional medical care to build and sustain long-term health for the residents and communities it serves.
“At RWJBarnabas Health, we recognize that health is shaped by the conditions in which people live, work, and raise their families,” said Bill Arnold, Chief Executive Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, EVP and President, Southern Region, RWJBarnabas Health. “These investments reflect our continued dedication to New Brunswick and the Middlesex County communities that we are a part of as a caregiver, a neighbor, and an employer. They reflect our commitment to work hand-in-hand with community partners to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and ensure residents have the support they need to thrive.”
“This investment from RWJBarnabas Health highlights the crucial role partnerships play in advancing health, opportunity, and quality of life for residents across Middlesex County,” said Middlesex County Commissioner and Chair of the Community Services Committee Claribel A. Azcona-Barber. “By supporting organizations focused on food security, preventative care, mentorship, and economic mobility, these funds will help expand access to critical resources and strengthen the support systems families rely on every day. Middlesex County is proud to partner with organizations that are making a meaningful difference in our communities.”
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 www.RWJBH.org
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org