Energy company PSEG has announced a $1.5 million commitment to New Jersey nonprofits that are working to keep kids safe and positively engaged in the critical after-school hours, including New Jersey After 3, Boys & Girls Clubs and United Way, and support initiatives championed by the Boys Scouts, Girls Scouts and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers.
PSEG was the first corporation to provide significant funding last year to support the Strategy for Safe Streets & Neighborhoods, giving the Boys & Girls Clubs $50,000 for gang prevention programs in three cities.
This year, the company is giving an additional $75,000 to sustain and expand the effort and committed $450,000 to New Jersey After 3 in a challenge grant that will expand afterschool programming in New Jersey.
"It is important that young people have a safe and positive place to go after school," said Ed Selover, PSEG’s executive vice president and general counsel. "We’re proud of our work to help kids and support working families, and to align our giving priorities with the governor’s crime prevention plan."
New Jersey attorney general Anne Milgram thanked PSEG for its corporate stewardship at an event in Perth Amboy this week, applauding the company for committing significant funding for programs that leverage the state’s support for gang and crime prevention.
"PSEG’s commitment to prevention programs serves as a model for a community-business partnership," Milgram said. "The company’s contribution significantly leverages funding from the state and will enable us, collectively, to reach more than 3,500 young people in positive and meaningful ways."
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers will receive $25,000 for the High School Graduation Campaign, a two day summit to create a statewide plan to reduce the growing number of high school drop-outs in New Jersey. 