Somerset County Awards Nearly $50K to Nonprofits to Address Substance Use Disorders, Opioid Crisis

(For Immediate Release – Somerset County, NJ): The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners presented grants, totaling $47,250, to eight award recipients selected through Somerset County’s unique Opiate Settlement Community Solutions Grant Program, which provides eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with one-time funding to offer life-saving resources that directly address the opioid crisis and help those struggling with substance use disorders.

“The Community Solutions Small Grant Program supports our local nonprofits in myriad ways, including: supporting grief recovery workshops, youth-specific prevention programs, Naloxone distribution through Save a Life Day, and more,” said Somerset County Commissioner Paul Drake, liaison to the Somerset County Human Services Department. “This innovative – first in the state – grant program reflects the power of investing directly in our community partners allowing us to meet real resident needs with compassion, creativity, and lasting impact.”

The grant funds, which come from the national opioid abatement litigation settlements, are designated for community-focused projects that align with the County’s goal of preventing overdoses, offering enhanced treatment, and providing recovery services for in-need residents.

To obtain the available grant funds, each of the eight organizations applied by submitting their statement of interest, project objectives, overall budget, and their required documentation and proof of tax-exempt status.

“Only a small number of grants are awarded annually. These micro-grants are designed to support smaller, grassroots nonprofits that may lack the staff capacity or resources to participate in traditional Request for Proposal (RFP) processes,” said Lisa Federico, the Director of the Division of Operations and Planning for Somerset County’s Department of Human Services. “Funding decisions are based on the quality and relevance of each proposal, how well it aligns with the priorities outlined in the State’s memorandum, and the availability of funds each year.”

Learn More About the Award Recipients

CASA SHaW (Court Appointed Special Advocates – Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties) trains dedicated volunteers to work as advocates for children affected by familial issues and substance use disorders.

“Receiving this $5,000 grant is both an honor and a vital investment in our mission. It recognizes the urgent need to support children and families impacted by the opioid crisis and affirms the value of our advocacy in helping vulnerable youth navigate trauma and instability,” said Director of Development Ellen Davis.

The appointed special advocate serves as a trusted and knowledgeable support system to ensure that each child has a voice and is treated with dignity and consideration in the courtroom.

“These funds will allow us to train and support more Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to work with children affected by substance use disorder. Advocates will ensure these children receive appropriate services, safe placements, and consistent support, helping them heal and thrive despite the challenges they face,” said Davis.

Learn more about CASA SHaW: https://www.casashaw.org.

Empower Somerset connects individuals and families with valuable resources and educational materials to create healthy communities that are drug and stigma free.

“Empower Somerset is honored to be a recipient of the Community Solutions Small Project Award, which upholds our mission to promote healthy, drug-free and stigma-free communities through education, collaboration and connections to resources,” said Executive Director Kristen Schiro.

The $5,000 grant will directly support and uplift vulnerable communities, which include seniors, by providing accessible resources that address the underlying issues that contribute to the opioid epidemic.

“With these funds, we are introducing the Youth/Senior Connection Summer Program in partnership with Temple Beth El. This initiative focuses on fostering communication between teens and senior residents at local assisted living facilities by building meaningful connections, creating art projects, and preparing storyboards together. The program aims to reduce isolation among seniors, a known risk factor for substance use. We are excited for this initiative to promote wellness, empathy, and stronger community connections among youth and seniors,” said Schiro.

Learn more about Empower Somerset: https://empowersomerset.com/

Feeding Hands is dedicated to addressing food insecurity, along with drug prevention, by providing individuals and families with access to a stocked pantry of high-quality food items, hygiene products, and other daily necessities.

“We are honored to be a recipient of the Community Solutions Small Project award. At Feeding Hands, we recognize that food insecurity often intersects with a range of complex challenges, including housing instability, underemployment, disability, chronic health conditions, and substance use disorder. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to respond to these needs with compassion and dignity,” said Executive Director Lois Bennett.

The $5,000 grant ensures that individuals and families impacted by substance use will receive continued access to harm reduction tools, drug prevention resources, and referral information at their weekly food distribution events.

“By integrating access to these supports into our existing services, we’re able to meet people where they are and provide potentially life-saving help alongside the nourishment they need to thrive,” said Bennett.

Learn more about Feeding Hands: https://www.feedinghandspantry.org/

Hunterdon Hope Seekers provide local communities with drug prevention education and wellness resources to combat substance use disorders and support long-term recovery efforts.

“This initiative supports grassroots, recovery-focused efforts and ensures local voices lead the way in healing,” said Community Recovery Champion Mike Mannion.

The $4,000 grant was used to host a special four-hour workshop that explored and examined grief, hope, recovery, and resilience. Over 70 people attended the workshop at Raritan Valley Community College, including Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, social workers, and community members.

“The event was made possible through Somerset County’s Community Solutions Small Grants Program, funded by opioid settlement dollars. The Grief Workshop showed the power of community in healing. When people come together with openness and support, real recovery happens,” said Mannion.

Learn more about Hunterdon Hope Seekers: mmannion@communityincrisis.org

Prevention Resources, Inc. utilizes prevention education programs and various treatment services to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and local communities.

“The Community Solutions Award is a tremendous honor for Prevention Resources and the Safe Communities Coalition. It represents a powerful opportunity to unite Somerset County agencies around a shared message, one that promotes compassion, education, and lifesaving action. This recognition strengthens our efforts for Save a Life Day, a national initiative to distribute Naloxone (Narcan) the opioid overdose reversal antidote, across Somerset County,” said Senior Prevention Services Manager Jerri Collevechio.

The $3,500 grant will be used to purchase supplies and materials that are intended to stop overdoses and raise public awareness on drug prevention.

“Our goal is to normalize carrying Naloxone and reduce stigma. The awarded funds will help us purchase T-shirts with the messages, ‘Be A Hero’ and ‘Help Everyone Reverse Overdoses’. It also will be used to purchase Naloxone pouches for easy transport, reusable shopping bags, and rack cards with clear directions and information. These resources will empower individuals and raise awareness across our communities. Every life saved is a family preserved, a community strengthened,” said Collevechio.

Learn more about Prevention Resources, Inc.: https://njprevent.com/

Recovery Friendly New Jersey, Inc. (RFNJ) works closely with businesses and community organizations to give individuals and families the recovery resources they need to navigate substance use disorders and behavioral health issues.

“Recovery Friendly New Jersey is honored to receive this award, which advances our mission, and we hope the Community Solutions Grant will serve as a model for other counties across New Jersey. Its streamlined application process is especially valuable for smaller grassroots nonprofits, enabling them to partner directly with County agencies and elevate community-based solutions that might otherwise go unseen,” said Founder and CEO David Martinak.

The $5,000 grant will support a widespread analysis that focuses on examining the rise of opioid overdoses among older adults, including those in underserved communities, throughout Somerset County. The analysis will be used to assess the potential role of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists for older adults.

“The root causes are often complex, overlapping factors such as chronic pain, medication misuse, mental health challenges, and social isolation. By identifying service gaps and partnership opportunities, this project aims to help shape more responsive, peer-led interventions tailored to this growing and vulnerable population,” said Martinak.

Learn more about Recovery Friendly New Jersey, Inc.: https://www.recoveryfriendlynj.org/

Safe and Sound Somerset provides safety to survivors of domestic and sexual violence with comprehensive programs, services, and education to help prevent intimate partner violence.

"We are so grateful to partner with Somerset County as a Community Solutions grantee working to combat substance use among adolescents. Substance use prevention and sexual violence prevention are inseparably connected,” said Manager of Community Engagement and Education Joelle Piercy.

The $9,750 grant will help to support their Choices, Boundaries, and Consent curriculum, which educates the youth on preventing sexual violence and substance use.

“We educate our young community members to prevent dating and sexual violence and lessen their likelihood of future substance use as a result. We highlight that consent for sexual activity cannot be freely given under the influence of a substance and that people have the right to say ‘No’ to using substances if their partner is pressuring them, and that there are resources available to address problematic substance use,” said Piercy.

Learn more about Safe and Sound Somerset: https://safe-sound.org/

Tri-County Care Management Organization (Tri-County CMO) provides community-based leadership and assistance to youth experiencing developmental, social, behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges.

The $10,000 grant will support an eight-week youth program that addresses the underlying causes of oppositional behavior and substance use.

“Tri-County CMO extends its sincere gratitude to the Community Solutions Small Project Funds for the generous support and opportunity to facilitate an adventure-based group for adolescent boys in Somerset County,” said Chief Development Officer Deja Amos. “It will play a meaningful role in helping young individuals work toward personal growth and long-term success. Your support will make a real difference in their lives.”

Learn more about Tri-County CMO: https://www.tricountycmo.org/

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About Somerset County

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.

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