The United Way of Central New Jersey has developed a groundbreaking effort to meet the needs of families of immigrants — The New Americans Program. The initiative includes a user-friendly resource handbook to every new American household, with information about culturally sensitive social service, mental health and educational agencies and services and contact information. Like a fire extinguisher, every family should have one, but hope they would never have to use it.
According to Census 2000 data, new Americans from Asian and Latino backgrounds represent almost one out of every five people in the Central Jersey region. Many people who are new to this area don’t have the cultural experience of seeking help from local contacts or the broader community.
It is our responsibility to strengthen the connections within our diverse community to ensure people seeking assistance receive the help that they need.
We look forward to working closely with community leaders to offer services that respect cultural values while helping our new neighbors adjust to daily life in the United States.
Christian C. Kjeldsen
Chair and
chief volunteer officer
United Way of Central Jersey
Milltown