FirstEnergy Foundation Grant Powers Asbury Park’s Comeback

A $50,000 grant from the FirstEnergy Foundation is helping to energize Asbury Park’s revitalization through the transformative work of Interfaith Neighbors, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the community. The funding supports a range of programs that provide job training, early education, food security and urban farming in the iconic Jersey Shore city, which is served by FirstEnergy Corp. electric company JCP&L.

The grant is one of the largest awarded by FirstEnergy Foundation in New Jersey this year and is part of more than $2 million in community support distributed across FirstEnergy’s service areas in the first half of 2025.

Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s president, New Jersey: “This grant recognizes the powerful impact Interfaith Neighbors has on Asbury Park. From job readiness to food access, their programs are helping residents build brighter futures. We’re proud to support their mission and the community they serve.”

Nearly one in five Asbury Park residents live below the poverty line. Interfaith Neighbors is working to change that with programs that open doors and create lasting change, including:

• The Launch Center – Offers job training, career coaching and one-on-one support to help residents succeed.
• The Early Childhood Learning Center – Provides a safe, nurturing environment for young children while empowering parents to work or pursue education.
• Meals on Wheels – delivers more than 800 meals daily to seniors and residents with disabilities – more than 330,000 meals a year.
• Kula Urban Farm – A hydroponic greenhouse that grows fresh produce and opportunity, offering job training and free food to neighbors in need.

Walter “Chip” Craig, Interfaith Neighbors’ co-executive director, commented, “For nearly four decades, we’ve focused on the essentials – housing, food and jobs. Thanks to FirstEnergy Foundation and JCP&L, we can continue building trust and creating real change in Asbury Park.”