Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the City Council and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the allocation of revenues generated from the city’s legal cannabis businesses will be used to fund a wide range of summer enrichment programs for youths across the city.

Nearly $500,000 in grants will be distributed through the Partnership for Healthier JC, providing grants of up to $10,000 each to 65 501(c)(3) organizations that offer youth-focused summer programming.

“This is about making a direct investment in the future of our community,” said Mayor Fulop. “By using legal cannabis tax revenue to support local youth, we are creating opportunities for lifelong learning and lessons that will benefit our kids and ultimately our future.”

In an interdepartmental partnership, HHS is working alongside the Department of Recreation & Youth Development to help boost opportunities for Jersey City youth who otherwise might not be able to participate in summer programs.

With grants allocated to 65 organizations throughout the city, the summer program opportunities span the arts, STEM, STEAM, leadership training, sports and essential life-skills development.

Stacey Flanagan, director of Health and Human Services, reinforced the initiative’s broader impact. “By empowering our Healthier JC partners to deliver enriching experiences, we are not only directly addressing youth wellness in Jersey City but are supporting the development of our newer community organizations,” she said. “This is about building a healthier, more equitable city.”

The selection committee was created with five staff members from the two departments, according to Stephanie Daniels, HHS division director of the Partnership for a Healthier JC. “This productive collaboration resulted in a selection process where we were able to fund all eligible applicants with programming that will make a positive impact on our youth,” said Daniels.

Applicants that scored above 80 will receive 100% of their request. Organizations with a score below 80 will receive a percentage of their requested amount, equal to their score. For example, if an organization requested $10,000 and scored 75%, they will be awarded $7,500.