Princeton NJ Non-Profit Press Releases

Teen Philanthropists Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary and $1,000,000 in Giving

Princeton, NJ, March 2023 — The Jewish Community Youth Foundation (JCYF) celebrated its 20th year anniversary and $1,000,000 in cumulative grant giving at its annual Check Presentation Ceremony which was held on February 26th.  More than $33,000 was distributed to 19 non-profit organizations by 121 teens representing 12 Synagogues and 29 area schools.

JCYF is a project of JFCS of Greater Mercer County and is funded by the Ricky and Andrew J. Shechtel Philanthropic Fund. 

Highlights from the evening included a live trivia quiz about the 20-year history of the program led by Robbinsville resident, Eric Steinberg and a recognition of 20 JCYF alumni who continue to make an impact in the community locally, nationally and globally.   The Annual Alumni Award was presented to Princeton Junction alum Philippa Chown, class of 2017, for her outstanding work at McGill University and in New York City.   Philippa designated DOROT, a nonprofit organization addressing the challenges of an aging population, as the recipient of her $360 award prize.  Ariella Livstone, a member of the senior class and resident of East Windsor spoke about how JCYF builds a community of giving and its thought-provoking process that leads up to allocating the grants. 

This year, teens from all over Mercer and Bucks counties met to discuss ways to make a difference in local, national, and international communities.  Talia Black, class of 2023, of Plainsboro explained, "The values I've learned in this program will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life.  JCYF sets you up to be a person who values charity and giving, which are incredibly important attributes to have to make the world a better place."

Ethan Shenker, a member of the JCYF Senior Class and Princeton Junction resident mentioned, "Like a pair of sunglasses, JCYF has given me the gift of a new perspective – one rooted in good deeds and acts of loving kindness.  It has also given me the ability to see the world differently, not how the world impacts oneself, but how I can impact the world. Now that I am graduating, I am grateful for the new lens and, in essence, the new world I hope to build."

For more information, contact Celeste Albert, Coordinator of Teen Programs at JFCS of Greater Mercer County, at 609-987-8100 x210 or celestea@jfcsonline.org, or visit www.jfcsonline.org/jcyf.

Jewish Family & Children's Service (JFCS) of Greater Mercer County is a nonprofit, non-sectarian agency providing social services, counseling and support to individuals, families, children and teens.  Professional, licensed social workers offer one-on-one and group counseling, family education, crisis and domestic violence support, re-employment assistance, grief and bereavement programs, and services for special needs children and their siblings. Services include food vouchers, meals on wheels, the kosher food pantry and kosher cafes, which serve thousands of meals to the elderly.  Youth programs include leadership, social skills and peer education. Visit the JFCS website for a complete listing of services www.jfcsonline.org