fbpx
NJOP What We Do Icon

Who is the New Jersey Organizing Project?

The New Jersey Organizing Project (NJOP) was founded in 2014 by nine Superstorm Sandy survivors in a library basement. We were struggling to get home and whole after Sandy took so much from us, in large part due to the broken disaster recovery system that kept us stuck in the ‘storm after the storm’ of debt and destruction. What we found over the next several years was the power to change that system so it worked for us rather than against us – and we set out to do exactly that.

Today, we’re active in primarily rural and suburban areas, with members all over the state. We work together to create a New Jersey where the programs and pathways we rely on to recover actually work for our communities and families. And when the resources that are out there aren’t enough to make things right, we fight for more.

What we learned during Sandy prepared us to work on winning a fair Hurricane Ida recovery after many of New Jersey’s inland and riverside communities were slammed in the 2021 storm. But storms aren’t the only disasters with a broken recovery system. When mental health issues and substance use rose in the aftermath of Sandy and in the midst of a nationwide overdose crisis, we realized that the system meant to get us the quality, affordable healthcare and treatment we deserve isn’t working for us either. And when we realized that we would not only need to fix our broken storm recovery system, but also find long term solutions to prevent worsening extreme weather and sea level rise, we got involved in working towards our state’s renewable energy future. 

NJOP is supported by a small staff and a big base of members, volunteers, and leaders. We fight our own fights and we are our own heroes. We choose our fights based on what matters to us and our own communities, because we know that we’re the experts on what we’ve experienced: the parts of the system that are broken, and the solutions we need to fix them. 

If you’re here reading this, it’s probably because you’ve experienced these broken systems too. If so, join us – and be the one you’ve been waiting for.

opens in a new window Storm survivors need and deserve flood insurance that works for us, not against us. We’re still working to make that a reality. BUT, in the meantime, there are resources out there to support you as you navigate the insurance process. Doug Quinn is the Executive Director of the American Policyholder Association (APA), as well as a longtime NJOP member, Sandy survivor, and Toms River resident. Doug takes us through how the APA has fought for policyholders on both a local and national stage, how you can self-advocate as an insurance policyholder after surviving a disaster, and the new solutions and challenges that may arise with flood insurance due to recent legislation and policy changes.Learn more about the APA at www.apassociation.org. Visit NJOP at www.newjerseyop.org.
When disaster strikes, know how to self-advocate as an insurance policyholder
opens in a new window Congressman Pallone gave us a shout out during the markup last week, “I want to take a moment to thank Priscilla Robinson, Heather Shapter, and all of the New Jersey Organizing Project advocated who have fought tirelessly for the MAT Act, and know firsthand how access to buprenorphine saves lives."
MAT Act moves in Congress
opens in a new window Take action with us to repair broken disaster recovery systems: Visit njorganizing.us/stormorg
Storm Recovery Systems are Broken
opens in a new window
2021 12 21 NJOP edit V7
opens in a new window Meet Fran, Atlantic City resident. Many storms have caused damage in her area but during Superstorm Sandy, she lost her car due to flooding. Even with updated drainage, the flooding has gotten worse. The climate of the earth has changed and that's why we need help. Visit njorganizing.us/njfam to learn more and take action.
Flooding Has Gotten Worse; We Need Action!
opens in a new window Meet Joe, cofounder and board president of New Jersey Organizing Project and Sandy survivor. Superstorm Sandy destroyed his home, business and second job. It took three years for his family to be able to return home. That's when the state began "clawing back" a portion of his grant. Nine years later and Sandy survivors are still struggling. Many are home and being asked to pay back funding they received by the state grant program RREM. Sign & share our petition to end clawbacks here: njorganizing.us/endclawbacksSandy survivors need our Representatives to finish the job and give Sandy families closure. Allow us to heal and move forward with our lives by ending clawbacks now.
Still Fighting Sandy Clawbacks After 9 Years
opens in a new window Meet Lisa, a single NJ mother of 5. The Child Tax Credit has allowed her to cut back on her time spent working at her three jobs. It has given her an opportunity to study and start her own business, and most importantly, provided her more time with her children. As parents, we want to know that we are leaving our children and future generations thriving communities. Congress’s expansion of the Child and Earned Income Tax Credits were welcome starts. But now that these programs are in place, our leaders should take the bold and necessary step to make them permanent. At the same time we love where we live and believe our frontline communities deserve to have a say in how we adapt to rising seas – we are the experts. Right now, Congress is debating historic infrastructure investments in care, jobs, and resources to prepare our communities for flooding and future storms. We need to make sure our elected officials understand our communities’ priorities and that we bring these critical investments home. Take action now by signing our petition at njorganizing.us/njfam.
Child Tax Credit Changed My Life; Congress Must Continue to Invest in Our Families
opens in a new window We need a “Double Disaster Relief Fund” of 131.75 million to address clawbacks for families and communities and rental assistance for families who have timed out. Click here to tell Gov. Murphy: njorganizing.us/brokenWe all struggle with something and for many this includes addiction. We are down to the wire to change New Jersey’s laws and make it easier for us to access life saving resources! Please take ACTION today to make sure more of us can access Medication Assisted Treatment and Naloxone by sending a letter and making a call to your state Reps asking them to vote YES. njorganizing.us/endod
Broken Systems
opens in a new window Click here to tell Gov Murphy: Broken disaster recovery systems are costing us! njorganizing.us/broken
Matt's Clawback Story
Load More... opens in a new window Subscribe

MEMBER STORIES

Chuck Griffin and wife

CHUCK GRIFFIN

We signed a contract and gave him a 1/3 deposit $55,000. He disconnected our utilities from the street and never came back. That was in June of last year. Throughout the state of New Jersey there are at least 50 other similar cases concerning the same builder.

FULL STORY
Elissa Tierney

Elissa Tierney

"We are trying to end the overdose crisis because we can’t lose one more loved one, community member, or the chance to recover ourselves. We have lost so many people we love and we don’t want another family in New Jersey to experience the same thing. Not one more beautiful life cut short."

FULL STORY
Joe Mangino and family

Joe Mangino

"We were homeless, and the 4 of us and our 2 cats were living in a small bedroom at a friends house. I foolishly thought I could get us back to living in our gutted home in 6-8 weeks. We spent our entire savings on replacing the heating system, electric and plumbing."

FULL STORY
DEBBY JOSEPHS

DEBBY JOSEPHS

"I opened my blinds and to my surprise, saw that the cars in the driveway were under water. I quickly ran to wake my son. I then opened the basement door and was met with the unbelievable sight of nothing but brown water. Less than 2 minutes later, water started coming into the first floor. "

FULL STORY
view more member stories
NJOP Accomplishments Icon

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

  • June 29, 2015

    Passed the Sandy Transparency Bill

    NJOP on boardwalk in Belmar, NJ
    We passed the Sandy transparency bill so survivors could plan...
    Read More
  • June 20, 2019

    Passed and extended Sandy mortgage forbearance

    Passed and extended Sandy mortgage forbearance
    We passed a bill to provide mortgage forbearance AND extend...
    Read More
  • June 21, 2021

    Passed on-site paramedic buprenorphine treatment

    Passed on-site paramedic buprenorphine treatment
    We passed a bill that allows paramedics in New Jersey...
    Read More
  • June 21, 2021

    Passed expanded access to overdose antidotes

    NJOP speaker at community event
    We passed two bills to ensure easy access to Naloxone...
    Read More
  • December 29, 2022

    Passed the MAT Act nationwide

    Pallone Speaking on Mat Act
    As part of the People's Action Overdose Crisis Cohort, we...
    Read More

RECENT PRESS + MENTIONS

For media inquiries, reach out to opens in a new window[email protected].

STAND WITH NJOP

We’re a 501(c)4 non-profit, grassroots organization made up of everyday people trying to build recovery systems that actually work for us. Since NJOP is run by everyday people, it’s also supported by contributions made by everyday people. We use these contributions to win more of what our communities need and change our own lives for the better.

Want to join us? Contribute or become a sustainer today to invest in us. If you become a sustaining member with a monthly investment, we’ll send you a (very comfortable and stylish) NJOP t-shirt.

GET INVOLVED opens in a new windowINVEST IN US
Scroll to Top