Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Advocates for Children of New Jersey
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: ACNJ
Mailing Address: 35 Halsey Street
City: Newark
State: NJ
Postal Code: 07102
Main Phone: 973-643-3876
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: acnj.org
Employer ID Number: 22-1695034
Organization Tax Status: 501c3 nonprofit

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Expanding Education Advocacy for Underserved Children in New Jersey
Project Description:

Every year, hundreds of low-income families in New Jersey turn to ACNJ’s KidLaw Resource Center for urgent, free legal support when their children are denied critical education services. Whether a child with disabilities is placed in an inappropriate setting or a student is suspended without due process, our legal advocacy often makes the difference between crisis and stability, exclusion and opportunity.

KidLaw’s direct representation and educational outreach are led entirely by one attorney, Nina Peckman, whose caseload has surged from 250 students in 2021 to over 350 in 2024. Nina provides expert legal counsel in IEP meetings, disciplinary hearings, and negotiations; trains attorneys; educates parents statewide through workshops and online videos on topics such as student rights and parent advocacy; and develops culturally accessible resources. Demand far outpaces our capacity, and the gap is growing—especially among families with limited English proficiency.

The pandemic’s lasting effects on school staffing, funding, and student mental health have intensified these challenges, leaving students with unmet needs and parents desperate for guidance. Cases that once required brief support now demand sustained legal intervention and advocacy. Many families we assist would otherwise go unrepresented, leading to avoidable academic failure, truancy, or prolonged school exclusion.

This proposal seeks funding to hire a part-time bilingual attorney ($50k salary) who will expand KidLaw’s reach and help serve an additional 75–100 families annually. The new attorney will take on direct cases, support Spanish-speaking families, and extend outreach in underserved areas. They will also contribute to training and resource development, helping scale our impact and build long-term organizational capacity.

With this investment, ACNJ will reduce its backlog, improve equity, and ensure that more children—regardless of language or zip code—receive the education they deserve. At a time when many families cannot afford legal representation, KidLaw remains one of the only lifelines available.

Total Project Budget: $199,258

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): The IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey (committed) Merancas Foundation (committed) We received a $50,000 grant from The IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey and a $100,000 grant from the Merancas Foundation that primarily covers the cost and benefits of our existing attorney, Nina Peckman, and the law student interns. We anticipate these grants to be renewed as they have been in prior years. This ongoing foundational support underscores the credibility and urgency of our work but also highlights the need for additional resources to meet the growing demand for our services. With additional funding, we will grow our legal team, improve operational efficiency, and expand our outreach and training efforts to better serve our community.

Project Duration: Jan-Dec, 2026
Geographical Area Served: All of NJ
Age Group To Be Served: 3yrs – 18 yrs

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Rich
Contact Last Name: Santangelo
Contact Title: Fundraising Manager
Contact Phone: 973-643-3876
Contact Email: development@acnj.org