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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Contact Information
Churches Improving Communities c/o Second Reformed Church 100 College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ Web: 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.