The holiday season can be a busy time of year—shopping, decorating, cooking, visiting… It can be all too easy to get caught up in the hype of buying gifts and spending money, leading us to forget the true meaning of the holidays—connection. This holiday season, take a step back from all the madness and instead think about how you could use your time and money to help benefit your community.
Give back this holiday season at one of these Bayonne charities.
Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation
The mission: The BEOF strives to improve the lives of the people in the community of Bayonne by providing resources and services to those in need—financially or otherwise. They offer programs such as Head Start, which promotes school readiness for children in low-income families, and Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors.
Other programs include payment assistance for energy costs and home weatherization, housing assistance, nutrition, and more. Even those who don’t financially qualify for these programs may still benefit from working with the organization.
How you can help: Volunteer your time to staff programs like Meals on Wheels, to teach both youth and adult students skills like reading and English, or even to work on home repairs. Stretched for time? Money is always a welcome donation, too.
York Street Project
The mission: YSP strives to break the cycle of poverty by providing tools, education, and resources to women and children in need in hopes of creating self-sufficiency. The organization works to address barriers, such as a lack of education, housing, or childcare, that prevent women from succeeding, thriving, or being self-sufficient.
The organization also provides support services to empower women to overcome past traumas and feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and destroyed self-esteem.
How you can help: Volunteer your time to York Street Project and work with children in the Childhood Development Center, help out at an event or fundraiser, or even provide office and transportation assistance. You can also donate new or gently-used goods, purchase items on the YSP Amazon Wish List, or simply make a gift of your money.
PACO
The mission: Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization, Inc. (PACO) provides social, human, and educational resources to the Hudson County community to better the lives of the people it serves. The organization provides housing assistance to low-income families, participates in educational reform efforts, and even helps to weatherize homes for those in need.
It has both a Senior Center and a Multi Service Center, and even organized a county-wide drive to provide much-needed assistance for 2017 natural disasters like Hurricane Maria and the 7.1 earthquake in Mexico City.
How you can help: PACO is always accepting tax-deductible donations. Want to find ways to invest your time? Contact one of their offices to find out more about how you can help.
Windmill Alliance
The mission: The Windmill Alliance is a day training program that provides skill and work training to low-income developmentally disabled adults. In addition to training and education, Windmill also offers a Supervised Apartment program designed to promote both safety and independence for its residents.
The Residence consists of eight shared apartments and a community room for games and activities. A caring and supportive staff facilitates socialization and learning.
How you can help: Donations are always welcome! Contact the Windmill Alliance to learn more about other ways to donate time, goods, and services.
Thinking of Joining the Bayonne Community?
Looking for ways to give back to the Bayonne community because you’re relocating to the area or buying a home here? Contact Century 21 Viewpoint Realty today to learn more about how we can help you discover your niche in the community and find your perfect home.