FirstEnergy Foundation Increases Support for Shelter, Safety and Stability

Expanded initiative provides $120,000 to New Jersey organizations and $500,000 across five states

HOLMDEL, N.J., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation has awarded $120,000 to 10 New Jersey nonprofit organizations that provide emergency shelter, housing assistance and supportive services for individuals and families facing homelessness, domestic violence and other housing-related challenges.

The grants are part of the Foundation's Shelter, Safety and Stability initiative, which expanded in 2026 to provide $500,000 to 38 organizations across FirstEnergy's service territory. The funding comes during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and includes support for organizations serving survivors of domestic violence, as well as nonprofits helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy's President, New Jersey: "The organizations receiving these grants provide critical resources, compassionate support and a path forward for some of our communities' most vulnerable residents. We're proud to support their work and the meaningful difference they make every day."

Liz Graham, Executive Director and CEO of 180 Turning Lives Around: "We are deeply grateful to FirstEnergy for this generous investment in 180 Turning Lives Around and our Safe House. Their support reminds survivors that they are not alone and that our community stands with them. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are proud to have FirstEnergy as part of our powerful community working together to ensure every survivor has a path to safety, healing and hope."

Creating Pathways to Safety and Stability

The organizations receiving grants provide a range of services, from emergency shelter and crisis intervention to housing assistance and supportive programs that help individuals and families move forward after experiencing hardship. The following New Jersey organizations have been awarded grants this year:

New Jersey Grant Recipients

• 180 Turning Lives Around (Monmouth County)
• Homeless Solutions (Morris County)
• Samaritan Inn Family Shelter Program (Sussex County)
• Bridges Outreach (Union County)
• The HOPE Center – The House of HOPE of Ocean County, Inc. (Ocean County)
• Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC) (Warren County)
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton – Providence House Domestic Violence Services (Ocean County)
• JBWS (formerly called Jersey Battered Women's Shelter) (Morris County)
• Covenant House New Jersey – Asbury Park Homeless Shelter (Monmouth County)
• Visions and Pathways (Morris County)

Providing Housing and Hope Year After Year

Since 2020, the FirstEnergy Foundation has donated more than $1.6 million to help people in need of shelter or a place to call home throughout its service territory. Nearly $700,000 of that funding has supported organizations serving survivors of domestic violence and their families.

The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated more than $850,000 to housing-related initiatives in 2026, including the $500,000 awarded through the Shelter, Safety and Stability initiative. Additionally, as part of the Foundation's $5 million Hunger Action Month initiative, $135,000 was awarded to organizations that also provide housing and shelter services.

Hands-On Help for Communities in Need

In addition to grant funding, FirstEnergy encourages employees to support local nonprofits through volunteer service. The company provides volunteer time-off (VTO) hours that enable employees to assist organizations addressing housing insecurity and other community needs.

In 2025, employees contributed approximately 28,500 volunteer hours across FirstEnergy's service territory, representing more than $1 million in additional community support.

About FirstEnergy Foundation

The FirstEnergy Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations across FirstEnergy's operational area, helping them build capacity, strengthen outcomes and deliver lasting impact. Giving priorities include housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development and STEM initiatives that reflect community needs and the company's strategic focus. Including the Shelter, Safety and Stability initiative, the Foundation has distributed more than $6.5 million in community support across FirstEnergy's service area to date in 2026.

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.