Junta De Accion Puertorriquena, Inc. Puerto Rican Action Board, Inc.
Partners in Your Life's Journey/Compañeros en el Viaje de Su Vida
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Middlesex County in Central New Jersey is both one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the state and home to one of the poorest cities, with New Brunswick’s poverty rate soaring as high as 36% in recent years. Low-income residents face challenges in realizing their value and potential, developing their desired personal and family paths, and achieving the quality of life they deserve. With the rising costs of accessing resources in the major urban hubs surrounding New Jersey, this is becoming an even more pressing issue. PRAB’s mission is to equip diverse individuals and families locally to achieve personal, family, and community development. We’re a “one-stop shop” that helps residents identify their assets and abilities, and strengthen themselves, their families, and their community. As the Community Action Agency for Middlesex County West, we address issues of poverty to change people’s lives, bring hope, and improve our local communities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Early Childhood Services
*Early Childhood Centers (ECCs) - PRAB is the largest preschool provider in the New Brunswick School District, providing high quality, early childhood education to over 600 children. New Brunswick children, ages 3-5, receive six (6) hours of educational programming throughout a ten (10) month, school-year. All ECCs are free of charge and include daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Children may also participate daily in before and after care service and in our two (2) month summer program.
*Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C) - New Brunswick high school students who are parents can stay in school while their infants and toddlers receive on-site daycare. Student and children receive case management and counseling services through graduation from high school. PIC-C is a partnership with New Brunswick Tomorrow and the New Brunswick Public Schools.
Youth Services Programs
*After School Program (ASP) - New Brunswick elementary and middle school students improve their grades by at least one level and develop positive attitudes, behaviors, and skills. Services include tutoring and mentoring. The ASP is funded in part by the New Brunswick Public Schools, and is licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families Office of Licensing.
*Youth Intervention and Mentoring Program (YIP) - At-risk New Brunswick youth, ages 13-16, learn to mitigate risk factors that foster gang involvement, and ensure that they do not enter the juvenile justice system. Services include a youth group, mentoring, and a parent group. Transportation and healthy meals are provided. YIP is funded in part by the New Brunswick Public Schools.
*Artists Mentoring Against Racism, Drugs & Violence (AMARD&V) - At–risk New Brunswick youth, ages 10-16, spend five (5) weeks during the summer months being mentored by professional teaching artists in a community–based setting, through which they transform their lives, their attitudes about themselves, and their community, and develop skills that equip them for a successful education and a healthy future. AMARD&V is a partnership between PRAB, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Community Health Promotion Program, Rutgers University’s Collaborative Center for Community-based Research and Service, New Brunswick Cultural Center, Suydam Street Reformed Church in New Brunswick, and the New Brunswick Public Schools.
Housing Services Programs
*Multi-Service Center - Middlesex County residents receive advocacy and info/orientation on supportive services and entitlement programs, assistance with healthcare info and access, and housing education assistance and referrals. They also may secure food from our pantry.
*Housing Coalition of Central Jersey (HCCJ) - Middlesex County residents receive housing services to ensure they maintain safe, affordable residences, including homebuyer education & counseling, fair housing counseling, mortgage assistance, foreclosure mediation, mortgage counseling, and homelessness prevention. HCCJ is a HUD-certified housing counseling program.
*Home Energy Assistance Programs (HEA) - Eligible Middlesex County households receive benefits toward lowering their energy costs, depending upon their energy burden, and based on their annual income.
*Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) - Eligible Middlesex and Mercer County residents reduce their energy costs through the increased energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety. On average, annual energy costs after undergoing weatherization may be reduced by $437, according to the US Department of Energy.
Family Services Programs
*Harmony Family Success Center (HFSC) - Middlesex County residents gather in a family friendly community space, where they and their families receive resources, information, and support, and connect with others to create a broader sense of community. They also participate actively in activities that strengthen their families and neighborhoods, in partnership with other families and local community institutions.
*Family Leadership Academy (FLA) - New Brunswick residents improve outcomes for their families and the overall community through individual coaching, group workshops and seminars, one-on-one sessions with staff and mentors, and a matching savings component. FLA is a partnership between PRAB and New Brunswick Tomorrow (NBT).
*Parents as Teachers (PAT) - Middlesex County parents who are pregnant, or have children up to five years old, receive free and voluntary home visitation services, including information, support, developmental screenings, and referrals to community resources.
*Boaz Immigration and Counseling Program - Central New Jersey individual and families receive education and counseling on immigration matters, including education workshops, completion of petitions and/or applications for immigration benefits, and civics education for Limited English Proficient individuals.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of organizational partners
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of people received immigration service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Family Services Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows the number of participants served through our Boaz Immigration and Counseling Program
Number of participants who improved skills related to the adult role of parents/caregivers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows the number of high school student parents involved in the Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C) who showed improvement in their parenting skills after participating in the program.
Number of children (ages 0 to 5) who demonstrate improved positive approaches to learning
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Family Services Programs
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows the children involved with the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program.
Percentage of participants who reported in the AMARD&V survey either agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement, "Because of camp, I know how to use art to feel better if I am upset or angry"
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Youth Services Programs
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric was reported through a study of AMARD&V program participants conducted by Lydia Gracey, M.S.W; Samantha Menard, Julia O’Connor, M.S.W., M.P.H; and Sarah McMahon, Ph.D.
Percentage of participants who reported in the AMARD&V survey agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement, "Because of camp, I can get along with kids from other cultures in my neighborhood"
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Youth Services Programs
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric was reported through a study of AMARD&V program participants conducted by Lydia Gracey, M.S.W; Samantha Menard, Julia O’Connor, M.S.W., M.P.H; and Sarah McMahon, Ph.D.
Number of children ages 0 to 5 years old who showed improved positive approaches toward learning
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows our preschool students in the early childhood centers (ECCs)
Number of children ages 0 to 5 years old that improved emergent literacy skills
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows our preschool students in the early childhood centers (ECCs)
Number of children who are ready for kindergarten
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows our preschool students in the early childhood centers (ECCs), and, particularly, those students who will be entering kindergarten the next year.
Number of children who show improved mental and behavioral health and wellbeing
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric follows our preschool students in the early childhood centers (ECCs)
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
PRAB aims to be a true partner in the lives of the community’s individuals and families. With the goal of ameliorating impediments to the pathway to self-sufficiency, the range of programs from education to housing, from youth development to immigration services, seeks to provide community members with the resources and connections they need to build stronger, healthier, and happier lives.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
By providing a “one-stop shop” with a variety of services and the ability to connect residents with partner services that meet their needs, PRAB looks to address the obstacles of information access amongst low- and moderate-income populations, helping to fill the “gap” between the need and the achievement of self-sufficiency.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
PRAB has consistently and effectively addressed community social service needs and successfully monitored and evaluated emerging issues in the community for the past 45 years. The organization has a demonstrated track record and proven accomplishments working with underserved populations, particularly low- to moderate-income households.
PRAB’s long reputation for providing quality services has enabled the creation of numerous collaborative relationships, creating an extensive network across the public and private sectors. These relationships enable programs to effectively outreach to individuals and families and open doors to resources, supports, and opportunities that facilitate economic and social stability.
PRAB’s dedicated staff devote their lives to the area’s residents and provide passionate, bilingual support for the diverse population. Their knowledge of the community allows them to address the unique needs of their participants and connect them effectively with services to reach their goals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
PRAB provides services to nearly 30,000 individuals and families each year and continues to seek ways to more efficiently meet the needs of the population. With the recent addition of programs such as ENLACE – a program aimed at providing senior citizens with basic services and information about medical care, housing, and legal assistance – and the continuing development and expansion of highly successful programs like the Artists Mentoring Against Racism, Drugs, & Violence (AMARD&V) summer camp – the PRAB staff works daily to improve the organization and its services and better help the community.
Beginning this year, PRAB also has welcomed a team of AmeriCorps VISTA members to further develop data collection and management, communications, and community engagement to enhance the capacity building efforts of the organization. This addition to the team has led to even greater transparency and efficiency and promises to provide paths toward a sustainable future for the organization.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Junta De Accion Puertorriquena, Inc. Puerto Rican Action Board, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 09/09/2019
Ms. Mariam Merced
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Ms. Shanel Robinson
Franklin Township/ Council At-Large
Shanti Narra
Middlesex County Freeholders
Kenny Obeso
Morgan Stanley
Zusette Dato
Borough of South Amboy
Jose Abreu
Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc.
Frances Munet-Vilaro
Rutgers University
Francis Womack III
Township of North Brunswick
John Clarke
New Brunswick Housing Authority
Luis De La Hoz
BCB Community Bank
Rev. Nicholas Young
United Methodist Church
Daniel Dominguez
New Brunswick Police Department
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No