Partnership with Sisters Academy Empowers Students to Make an Impact

“What is one way you can spread kindness or generosity to someone that has a lasting impact?” That was the question posed  to students at Mercy Center’s Sisters Academy of New Jersey by OceanFirst Foundation in conjunction with OceanFirst Bank’s partnership with the school which provides OceanFirst team members the opportunity to regularly visit students at the Academy and to host student visits to the Bank’s Red Bank headquarters. 

The Asbury Park based Academy focuses on educating girls from the surrounding communities in order to provide them with the tools necessary to gain access into and success in high schools and universities. With that in mind, OceanFirst mentors bring tailored sessions to students focused on career exploration and developing good financial literacy skills. 

At their last session of 2024, students shared their thoughts on community needs. Aware of the high cost of basic baby and postpartum supplies, they saw an opportunity to make a real difference and collectively decided to do a service project in support of teen mothers. With thoughtful planning and budgeting and supported by a grant from OceanFirst Foundation, students created and assembled care baskets designed to ease the financial burden for young mothers including items like: clothing and booties for newborns up to 3 months old; jumbo-sized packs of Desitin; baby wipes; diapers; towels and washcloths; and postpartum healing materials.

Through this initiative, the students of Sisters Academy demonstrated how kindness, when paired with knowledge, opportunity and support, can create a ripple effect of hope and understanding.

OceanFirst Foundation is proud to support programs that empower young people to lead with compassion and make a lasting impact in their communities.