2025 Opioid Funding
As part of its continued commitment to tackling the opioid crisis head-on, the City of Jersey City awarded five nonprofit organizations with $40,000 grants each to support targeted programs aimed at opioid prevention, treatment and recovery. This strategic investment underscores the City’s broader public health mission.
The grantees, Spectrum Health Care, Inc. (SHC), JC Police Officer Civic Association/POBA, Prevention Links, Forge and Kaleidoscope Health Care, represent a cross-section of the city’s grassroots and professional response to the opioid epidemic. Their work spans community outreach, peer recovery services, youth engagement, crisis intervention, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
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Khaleidoscope Health Care (KHC)
Khaleidoscope Health Care (KHC) provides trauma-informed harm reduction through engaging education sessions and wellness pop-ups, making support approachable, stigma-free, and accessible to families right where they live.
KHC has hosted dozens of community events, distributing hundreds of Fentanyl test kits and Narcan, while centering stigma reduction and family-friendly outreach.
More than half of all participants identified as being in recovery or seeking treatment—an important reflection of the trust, safety, and credibility KHC has built within the community.
Spectrum Health Care (KHC)
Khaleidoscope Health Care delivered trauma-informed harm reduction through education sessions and wellness pop-ups. KHC has made harm reduction approachable and stigma-free, reaching families where they live.The organization created a dozens of events, distributing hundreds of Fetanyl test kits and Narcan while emphasizing stigma reduction and family-friendly outreach.More than half of their participants identified as in recovery or seeking treatment- a testament to the trust and safety KFC has built in the community.
Recovery Junction
Through Prevention Links, Recovery Junction offers a peer-led community of hope for residents of Jersey City. They distributed more than 700 safe-use and wound care kits, including Narcan and xylazine test strips- directly in high-risk areas. Recovery Junction created peer-led harm reduction workshops and created a safe environment with weekly meetings, reducing the stigma for residents in recovery or seeking recovery options. For one participant, what began as a court mandate has become a voluntary lifeline. “This place reminded me that I am not alone in my recovery. I didn’t know help like this existed in JerseyCity."
Forge Health
Forge Health provided evidence based behavioral health care for individuals with OUD and co-occurring mental health challenges. They specialized in providing programming for first responders, veterans, and residents facing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use. By offering outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs, Forge Health ensures that Jersey City residents receive the right level of care at the right time.
Harm Reduction Kiosk
In 2023, Jersey City became the first city in the region to launch a 24/7 harm reduction kiosk located outside the Department of Health on MLK Drive. Stocked with free Narcan, Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips, and sexual health products and testing, the kiosk provides judgement-free, barrier-free access to emergency care. Thousands of items have been dispensed, preventing overdoses and saving lives when people have need, at all hours of the day and night.
Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association (POBA)
POBA, in partnership with C-Line Community OutreachServices, launched a dedicated Opioid Response Team committed to addressing addiction through trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. The team—made up of active and retired police officers, detectives, interns, and trained professionals including certified drug and alcohol counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and certified peer recovery specialists, provides comprehensive, around-the-clock support forJersey City residents.
Services include 24/7 crisis intervention, individualized therapy, weekly support groups, and referrals to detox and long-term recovery programs, ensuring community members receive compassionate and effective pathways to healing.