FirstEnergy Foundation awards grants to nonprofits in Warren, Sussex and Morris counties to support housing and domestic violence services
NEW JERSEY — Five nonprofit organizations serving Warren, Sussex and Morris counties are among 10 New Jersey groups receiving a combined $120,000 in grants from the FirstEnergy Foundation to support emergency shelter, housing assistance and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and housing instability.
The grants are part of the foundation’s Shelter, Safety and Stability initiative, which expanded in 2026 to provide $500,000 to 38 organizations across FirstEnergy’s five-state service territory. The funding was announced in connection with Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October and is intended to help organizations provide shelter, crisis intervention and other services to people facing difficult circumstances.
Among the New Jersey recipients are the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC) in Warren County, the Samaritan Inn Family Shelter Program in Sussex County, and three Morris County organizations: Homeless Solutions, JBWS, formerly known as Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter, and Visions and Pathways.
The five organizations provide services addressing domestic violence, homelessness and housing instability. The grants are intended to support programs that help individuals and families find safety, obtain housing assistance and access resources to rebuild their lives.
“The organizations receiving these grants provide critical resources, compassionate support and a path forward for some of our communities’ most vulnerable residents. We’re proud to support their work and the meaningful difference they make every day,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s president in New Jersey.
New Jersey grant recipients
The 10 organizations receiving grants through the initiative are:
- Warren County: Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC).
- Sussex County: Samaritan Inn Family Shelter Program.
- Morris County: Homeless Solutions.
- Morris County: JBWS, formerly Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter.
- Morris County: Visions and Pathways.
- Monmouth County: 180 Turning Lives Around.
- Monmouth County: Covenant House New Jersey – Asbury Park Homeless Shelter.
- Union County: Bridges Outreach.
- Ocean County: The HOPE Center – The House of HOPE of Ocean County, Inc.
- Ocean County: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton – Providence House Domestic Violence Services.
The funding supports a range of services, including emergency housing, crisis intervention, domestic violence survivor assistance and programs designed to help families achieve greater housing stability.
Liz Graham, executive director and CEO of 180 Turning Lives Around, a Monmouth County organization receiving a grant, said the support will benefit survivors seeking safety and assistance.
“We are deeply grateful to FirstEnergy for this generous investment in 180 Turning Lives Around and our Safe House. Their support reminds survivors that they are not alone and that our community stands with them. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are proud to have FirstEnergy as part of our powerful community working together to ensure every survivor has a path to safety, healing and hope.”
More than $1.6 million donated since 2020
Since 2020, the FirstEnergy Foundation has contributed more than $1.6 million to organizations providing shelter and housing-related assistance throughout its service territory. Nearly $700,000 of that funding has supported organizations serving survivors of domestic violence and their families.
In 2026, the foundation has donated more than $850,000 to housing-related initiatives, including the $500,000 awarded through the Shelter, Safety and Stability program. An additional $135,000 was awarded to organizations providing housing and shelter services as part of the foundation’s $5 million Hunger Action Month initiative.
Beyond financial contributions, FirstEnergy encourages employees to volunteer with nonprofit organizations addressing housing insecurity and other community needs. The company provides volunteer time-off hours to allow employees to participate in community service activities.
In 2025, FirstEnergy employees contributed approximately 28,500 volunteer hours across the company’s service territory, representing more than $1 million in additional community support.
