The Jewish Renaissance Foundation strives to overcome poverty and hopelessness throughout Middlesex County. We believe in changing lives by creating hope and self-sufficiency, and we succeed by providing individuals, children and families with essential health and human services, community development and youth programs. Our life-improving services extend across all cultures and faiths, regardless of economic status. The Jewish Renaissance Foundation was established in 1995 as a faith-based, nonprofit corporation with central offices in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, by Dr. Alan Goldsmith. Serving more than 2,200 people in Middlesex County each year, we are a leader in providing community coordination, emergency services, education, food and nutrition, family development, and employment and training. In 2009, the JRF was designated by the NJ Department of Community Affairs www.state.nj.us/dca/,and appointed by the NJ Community Action Association www.njcaanet.org as the Community Action Agency for Middlesex County East. Although most JRF programs continue to benefit residents throughout Middlesex County, our Community Action programs are specifically intended for qualified residents in eight designated communities: Carteret, Edison, Highland Park, Metuchen, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy and Woodbridge. As a Community Action Agency, we help people in low-income households attain economic self-sufficiency. We provide emergency services to meet immediate needs, while fostering individual growth and transition to household stability. Job training, child care, transportation assistance and other programs are keystones to our mission of promoting greater self-sufficiency.