Social Services

Finding Solutions to Improve Lives

Our Social Services enable individuals and families to access and use community, immigration, senior, violence intervention, and outpatient mental health services.

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Our Social Services Goals

Individuals & families increase their access to and use of community resources.

Immigrants individuals & families get accurate legal advice and finalize their citizenship status.

Senior Citizens (ages 55+) access resources, establish connections, and address their physical and mental health needs.

Crime victims effectively re-enter their community, workplace, and re-enter and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships.

Our Social Services

Multi Services Center

Our Multi Services Center (MSC) takes care of community, family, or individual needs not formally addressed by our other programs. Low and moderate-income Middlesex County residents meet with MSC Representatives in English or Spanish to assess their unique needs and find the best ways to address those needs. The learn about community support services, entitlement programs, access to healthcare, housing education, child support, court motions, etc. Resources are provided in-house or through partnering organizations and other community service providers. Outreach representatives

MSC and Outreach Representatives work with other community agencies and service providers to learn about their services and establish appropriate referral systems for use by our participating individuals and families. Outreach locations include municipal offices, libraries, senior centers, adult day care centers, community & health fairs, and public events. Outreach sessions are available in English and/or Spanish. Outreach Reps also provide sessions for individuals and families who are unable to visit in person.

Some services provided by MSC include:

  • Educational activities or counseling sessions
  • Advocacy and orientation on supportive services and entitlement programs
  • Assistance with healthcare access
  • Employment services
  • Food Pantry assistance on a first come, first serve basis (in partnership with Sharon Baptist Church)
  • Self-help group for women (Our Children Project)
  • Comprehensive inventory of community services
  • Referrals to one of our partners (for eye exams, legal assistance, rental assistance, wage recovery, etc.)
Enroll In Program

Days & Hours
M-F, 9-5 pm

Gloria Melendez

Assistant Senior Director

gmelendez@prab.org
(732) 832-7535 x 154

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Boaz Immigration & Counseling Program

Central New Jersey individuals and families receive education and counseling on immigration matters. They meet with our accredited Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Accredited Representative to assess their unique needs and learn what their individual options are for immigration benefits. In the process, they gain immigration benefits. Limited English Proficient individuals also prepare for the Citizenship Test.

Some services provided by Boaz include:

  • Counseling sessions
  • Education workshops
  • Assistance with completing petitions and/or applications for immigration benefits
  • Legal clinics
  • ESL classes for Limited English Proficient individuals
  • Civics education & Test Prep for the official citizenship test
Enroll In Program

Days & Hours
M-F 9:00am–5:00pm

Yessimar Santos

Coordinator

ysantos@prab.org
(732) 832-7535 x 142

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ENLACE Senior Citizens Project

Senior citizens (over 55) in the Greater New Brunswick and Middlesex County area access resources, establish connections, and address their physical and mental health needs. They also reach out to their peers and other individuals during times of isolation.

ENLACE utilizes a strength-based approach focusing on social connections and community engagement. This is especially true in the current environment of social isolation. We work with current and new families seeking services that are offered free of charge and bilingual English/Spanish. These services are provided by Telehealth and the various health care agencies in our area.

Some services provided by ENLACE include:

  • Assistance with enrolling in home energy assistance, weatherization, food assistance programs, SNAP, health insurance, and other social services
  • “Buddy System” (that connects those who are in similar circumstances for socialization and connection)
  • Up-to date information on COVID 19, as well as clarifying information about vaccine programs and maintaining safety measures
Enroll In Program

Days & Hours
M-F, 9-5 pm

Julie Jerome

Coordinator

jjerome@prab.org
(732) 832-7535 x 189

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RWJ Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) @ PRAB

As the community partner for the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s (RWJUH) HVIP, PRAB offers intensive community mental health counseling to program participants between the ages of 18-40, to provide healing and trauma-informed services for victims of crime. Called WAVE (Working together Against Violence to Empower), it is a comprehensive healing and client-centered program that encompasses triage, patient navigation and rapid response. It offers intensive, long-term case management and mental health counseling for patients admitted to the RWJ Trauma Service (i.e., Inpatient) for a traumatic injury resulting from community violence. It also includes the WAVE Community Consortium, consisting of a network of local partners that will expand resources and referral options, building a safety net for program participants.

At PRAB, victims of community violence receive trauma-informed and client-centered treatment from a clinical team, based on an evidence-based approach. They learn to maintain their psychological well-being and increase their resilience. Ultimately, they effectively re-enter their community and workplace and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. We utilize a wrap-around approach that is focused on clinical services and meeting patients’ needs through internal referrals to other PRAB services and external referrals to our community partners.

Participating individuals must be a resident of Middlesex County, Franklin Township (Somerset County), or Plainfield (Union County). They also must be admitted to RWJ Trauma Service (i.e., Inpatient) for a traumatic injury resulting from community violence. The RWJ HVIP Team has the authority to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis regarding individual eligibility for the program. All services are free, funded through the NJ Office of the Attorney General/VOCA, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Services provided by HVIP @ PRAB include:

  • Trauma informed/healing centered counseling
  • Individual and group sessions
  • Information and referrals to community resources and services
Enroll In Program

Days & Hours
M-F, 9-5 pm

Gilberto Pilarte

Director (Acting)

gpilarte@prab.org
(732) 832-7535

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PRAB serves everyone regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, or functional impairment. We also serve as a voice to ensure equity & access to community resources and benefits for all people groups and communities in Central New Jersey.

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Henry Gorman

Senior Director

Family & Housing Services
(732) 832-7535 x150
Hgorman@prab.org

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