We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of our second Crossroads NJ Conversation: The Future of Economic and Justice Reform in New Jersey, made possible through a partnership with Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy! The event kicked off with inspiring remarks from Dr. Julia Sass Rubin and Brandon McKoy, president of The Fund for New Jersey, and featured a powerhouse panel including Peter Chen, Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer, Maura Collinsgru, and Kassandra Frederique. We’re deeply thankful to all the panelists who brought passion, insight, and expertise to a dynamic discussion on democracy, social justice, and economic policy. Here’s to continuing the conversation and driving meaningful change together!

If you missed the event, we invite you to watch the video of the discussion.

Grantee News

Policy updates

• Hyacinth Foundation’s Executive Director, Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, recently wrote commentary in NJ Monitor explaining the threats to HIV prevention and treatment services caused by the Trump administration’s proposed federal budget. “In New Jersey alone, more than 39,000 people are living with HIV. At Hyacinth, we serve thousands of them every year across seven cities, including Newark, Trenton, Plainfield, and New Brunswick. The majority of our clients are Black and Latino, LGBTQ+, and low-income — communities that already face systemic barriers to health care and housing. For these New Jerseyans, federal programs are lifelines.” 
• NJ Future’s Executive Director, Pete Kasabach, spoke to NJ Spotlight News about the impact of the REAL (Resilient Environments and Landscapes) rules, part of New Jersey’s broader NJPACT climate initiative. The set of proposed environmental regulations is designed to prepare the state for worsening climate impacts like sea level rise and extreme weather. Additionally, the new rules would update flood risk zones and require more stringent building standards to protect homes and businesses in flood-prone areas but are facing opposition from local mayors and business interest groups.
• Pinelands Preservation Alliance’s efforts to safeguard the Black Run headwaters from proposed development have garnered statewide attention, culminating in the Pinelands Commission’s approval of key amendments to the region’s comprehensive management plan. These updates aim to better protect the ecologically vital Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer, which holds an estimated 17.7 trillion gallons of water. “The good news is that new rules to limit this kind of intrusion are at hand,” said Jaclyn Rhoads, Executive Director of the Alliance, in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. “The bad news is that it’s taken way too long. Pressure on the aquifer from drought, brush fires, and overdevelopment is only getting worse.”

Leadership and Organizational Announcements

• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)’s Immigrant Rights Program in Newark, NJ received the 2025 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) New Jersey Chapter Pro Bono Champion award. Learn more about the award and AFSC’s immigration work in NJ in this press release.
• The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) celebrated the release of the New Jersey Reparations Council’s report at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on June 19. Watch the recording of the powerful discussion here.

Grantee Reports

• Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey conducted a poll in collaboration with Rutgers-Eagleton Institute for Politics to assess NJ residents’ opinions on housing affordability. The results of the poll indicated that New Jerseyans support adopting statewide rent control, support an increase in rental assistance, and legislative measures to address housing affordability including preserving the NJ Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). Read more here.
• Make the Road NJ published, Fair Rents, Stable Communities: How Strong Rent Stabilization Can Help Passaic Thrive. The report analyzes the advances in tenant protections in Passaic and provides recommendations on how to strengthen rent stabilization policies within the city. Read more here.
• New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) published the New Jersey Reparations Council’s For Such a Time as This: The Nowness of Reparations for Black People in New Jersey. The report lays out a plan for recognition and repair of the state’s legacy of slavery and ongoing racial inequalities. It also demonstrates how reparations are not simply a response to past injustices, but a crucial foundation to promote policy solutions that support justice and equity going forward.
• New Jersey Policy Perspective published, The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mass Deportation: What’s at Risk in New Jersey. The report estimates that deporting the 475,000 people who are undocumented would lead to a profound social and economic loss to the state. “Even if just one in ten undocumented individuals were deported or placed into detention, it would lead to a loss of $133 million in state and local tax revenue each year. This is the cost of 295,000 free school meals in New Jersey public schools.” Read more here.
• New Jersey Policy Perspective published an insightful report about the state electricity grid entitled, Why Are New Jersey’s Electricity Bills Going Up, and What Does PJM Have to Do With It?  Read more here.