Lynette Whiteman, Executive Director of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey came across RWJF’s Culture of Health Initiative and brought the grant opportunity to the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation. The grant would enable the newly formed Toms River Family Health & Support Coalition to receive $200K over four years to make our community healthier. The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation brought together 49 of their partner agencies: nonprofits, schools, political leaders, police, business owners and philanthropists who all signed up to become part of this exciting new coalition. After conducting research about the current status of health issues in Toms River, the group proposed the highest areas of need as follows:
- Substance Abuse
- Senior Isolation
- Exercise for physical, social and mental wellness
- Food Insecurity