Non-Profit Spotlight: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson

On behalf of the Somerset Hills Community Health Foundation, a fund here at the Community Foundation of New Jersey, our team conducted a site visit to a recent grant recipient: the Gruenert Center, which is affiliated Catholic Charities’ Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) in Paterson.

The Gruenert Center supports 57 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through work opportunities, vocational training, and educational opportunities.

Thanks to the Somerset Hills Community Health Foundation grant, DPD recently hired a Nutritionist to implement the Healthy Food, Healthy Lives program. This program will improve the health outcomes of up to 130 adults each year who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Melissa Moyer, the nutritionist, will be working alongside staff to provide guidance on nutrition, healthy eating, and safe food handling for both staff and service recipients.