Churches Improving Communities (CIC) Transforming lives through effective social justice and community service programming with church communities in central New Jersey

One Hand, Many Functions CBMHS CALTR NC FCC Assisting with Church Initiatives CHURCHES IMPROVING COMMUNITIES

Churches Improving Communities CIC is Classis New Brunswick Community Development Corporation CIC pools resources and volunteers from Classis New Brunswick churches CIC positively impacts over 1000 people each year through 4 programs – NeighborCorps, CALTR, Church-Based Mental Health Services, Focus Church Campaign CIC assists churches with their own projects – Spotswood Reformed Church’s Pixie Preschool, South River after school program

CIC 2015 Budget $484,000 in total value invested in central NJ churches and communities in 2015

Church-Based Mental Health Services Low-cost and no-cost professional mental health counseling since January 2016 6 RCA church locations in Middlesex, Somerset, and Monmouth Counties Resource for pastors and churches Support groups – caregivers and chronic pain Partners with NeighborCorps and Interfaith-Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment to serve clients

CALTR – Churches Accomplishing Long-Term Recovery Over 190 rehabilitated New Jersey shore homes devastated by Hurricane Sandy Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean Counties Group volunteers from around the country via World Renew Unemployed local volunteers Partners with the Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing Corporation and the Community Church of Keyport to renovate abandoned homes for low-income housing in Monmouth County

NeighborCorps Re-Entry Services Free, supportive assistance to individuals released from Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility as they make the difficult transition back into society 35 current participants Prevents recidivism – 15% vs. 77% without re-entry Repairs and strengthens familial, economic, and community relationships damaged by incarceration Links participants to resources: mental health services, conflict resolution, addiction services, literacy support, educational programs, job training, employment services, healthcare, social services, and housing

Focus Church Campaign Joint program of Classis New Brunswick and CIC CIC works with one Classis New Brunswick church intensely for one year as the Focus Church 2016/17: First Reformed Church of New Brunswick Identify and carry out a plan that responds to needs of the church and of the community Goals: Expanded view of the possibilities for ministry; positive growth of the congregation in the community Follow our progress at: ImprovingNJ.org/focus-church-campaign/ Application for 2017/18 Focus Church due June 1, 2017

Future of CIC Programs NeighborCorps – Expand into more NJ counties CBMHS – add 2 church sites/year + staff CALTR – transition to renovating housing for low-income families Senior Adult Day Care program pilot in 2017

How to Get Involved Monthly Congregational Engagement Conference Call: Visit www.ImprovingNJ.org for the next meeting date and time. Become a Board Member. Join a Program Steering Committee. Shop CIC’s Alternative Gift Catalog online!

Contact Information Churches Improving Communities c/o Second Reformed Church 100 College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Email: ChurchesImprovingCommunities@gmail.com Web: www.ImprovingNJ.org Facebook: CALTR, Church-Based Metal Health Services, NeighborCorps, and Churches Improving Communities Donations can be made via PayPal on CIC’s website and by check made out to Classis New Brunswick CDC.