Newark, N.J. — The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation has committed $4 million toward the development of a new South Ward Wellness Center in Newark, a transformative community development project that will expand access to medical care, youth development, and economic opportunity in one of the city’s most historically underserved neighborhoods.
The $50 million wellness center was developed by BRICK Networks, a nonprofit partner focused on nurturing networks of support that address every stage of a family’s needs, from pre-cradle to career. The project, developed in partnership with community organizations, broke ground last week and will provide integrated services including primary healthcare, behavioral health support, wellness programming, and community space. The project is designed to address longstanding disparities in health outcomes while strengthening neighborhood infrastructure and opportunity.
The Dodge Foundation’s investment reflects its broader mission to help close the racial wealth gap in New Jersey and expand access to the resources that allow families and communities to thrive. It also reflects how the organization is seeking innovative ways to deploy its capital, going beyond traditional grantmaking to achieve greater mission impact.
“At the Dodge Foundation, we are proud to support the South Ward Wellness Center, a project that was developed directly from the voiced needs and hopes of the community,” said Camilo Mendez, Chief Financial Officer of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. “Investing in the South Ward Wellness Center aligns directly with our commitment to support community-led solutions to close the racial wealth gap in our city and our state. By providing multiple essential services under one roof, the wellness center will reduce the structural barriers that prevent many families in Newark from accessing services that can help them not just survive, but thrive.”
The South Ward of Newark is a strong and vibrant community with deep roots and potential. The new wellness center builds on that strength by bringing essential health and support services closer to where residents live, work, and raise their families, helping the neighborhood continue to thrive.
“This is more than a wellness center, it’s the physical embodiment of what our community has demanded and deserves,” said Dominique Lee, CEO of BRICK Networks. “Our children and families guide our work. By listening to their voices, we are increasing access to health care and removing the obstacles that prevent people from living their dreams and building lasting prosperity.”
For the Dodge Foundation, this investment is part of a larger strategy to support initiatives that expand opportunity and remove structural barriers that prevent many New Jersey families from building long-term stability. Research shows that access to healthcare, safe housing, and community resources plays a crucial role in shaping economic outcomes and overall well-being. The Dodge Foundation’s mission to close the racial wealth gap in New Jersey – one of the largest gaps in the nation – requires investments that strengthen communities and support pathways to stability. By investing in community-centered projects like the South Ward Wellness Center, the Dodge Foundation seeks to partner with local leaders and organizations working on the front lines to expand opportunity and create lasting change.
Construction on the wellness center is expected to continue over the next several years, with the facility serving as a hub for healthcare access, youth programming, and community engagement for Newark residents.
“For this project BRICK leveraged public sector tax credits, private sector loans and philanthropic grants and investment all for the benefit of the community,” Mendez said. “The South Ward Wellness Center represents the kind of partnership from multiple sectors that can help build a more equitable and just New Jersey.”