Wellpoint New Jersey Invests $750,000 to Advance Housing, Economic Opportunity, and Community Health in Perth Amboy and Paterson

Major investment supports neighborhood revitalization and expands opportunities for residents to live better, healthier lives across New Jersey.

ISELIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wellpoint New Jersey has made a $750,000 investment in community revitalization efforts in Perth Amboy and Paterson through the New Jersey Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) Program.

This marks the largest grant commitment by Wellpoint New Jersey this year, supporting projects that strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunities for residents. The investment also reflects Wellpoint New Jersey’s commitment to addressing the social and economic factors that influence health, including access to housing, employment, and resources that directly impact residents’ ability to live and stay healthy in their communities.

The funding will support initiatives led by two organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities and driving meaningful, locally informed change:

• $400,000 to the Jewish Renaissance Foundation, Inc. to support neighborhood revitalization efforts in Perth Amboy.
• $350,000 to the New Jersey Community Development Corporation to support initiatives in Paterson’s Great Falls neighborhood.

“Investing in the health and vitality of our communities goes beyond doctor visits and prescriptions,” said Patrick Fox, MD, president of Wellpoint New Jersey. “For many New Jersey residents, access to safe housing, stable employment and strong neighborhoods directly impacts their ability to live and stay healthy. By investing in these areas and improving access to resources, we are helping make life more affordable and simpler to navigate.”

Through the NRTC program, Wellpoint’s contributions will help fund a wide range of critical community improvements, including:

• Construction and rehabilitation of housing units
• Development of commercial facilities
• Support for small businesses and microenterprises
• Workforce development and employment training
• Open space and recreational improvements
• Community services and outreach programs
• Crime prevention initiatives

“Wellpoint New Jersey’s latest investment allows us to expand critical programs that residents rely on every day—from housing and resident engagement to youth development and community services,” said Robert Guarasci, CEO of New Jersey Community Development Corporation. “It strengthens our ability to deliver real, lasting impact in Paterson while also supporting broader revitalization efforts across communities like Perth Amboy.”

These efforts are part of Wellpoint New Jersey’s ongoing focus to address the social and economic factors that influence health, drive affordability, and expand access to care and community resources.

Across the state, Wellpoint New Jersey has made a series of targeted investments in community revitalization, supporting local organizations and initiatives that expand access to resources, strengthen economic opportunity, and improve neighborhood conditions. This includes investments in Camden, downtown redevelopment efforts in Trenton, and the Paterson Impact Grant program, among others. Together, these investments reflect a sustained approach to improving health and quality of life for New Jersey residents.

Wellpoint New Jersey will mark these recent Paterson and Perth Amboy investments with local check presentations in partnership with each organization in the coming weeks.

ABOUT WELLPOINT:

Wellpoint, part of the Elevance Health family of brands, focuses on improving physical health as well as the behavioral and social drivers that impact it through a comprehensive suite of Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial products. The Wellpoint companies offer healthcare services for consumers at any stage of life seeking to make the right care decisions and helps individuals and communities make real, positive progress with health plans that foster independence, confidence, and whole-person health. For more information, please visit www.wellpoint.com.