The Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey aims to help girls discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges, ultimately creating a positive change in their communities.

And a new partnership with the PSEG Foundation will help the organization take another step forward toward that goal.

GSNNJ announced March 17 that the PSEG Foundation awarded the leadership organization a $10,000 grant to execute a 12-week social justice initiative.

The program, titled “What is Social Justice? A Pledge to Work for A Just Society for All,” will engage 160 Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes in Bergen and Passaic counties. In addition, the organizations will partner on several initiatives focused on STEM, life skills and healthy relationships throughout the year.

The initiative will help provide Girl Scouts with the education and resources to stand against racism, pledge to work for a just society for all, and create positive change in their communities, GSNNJ stated in the grant announcement. The Girl Scouts will participate in a range of advocacy activities including public speaking, drafting speeches, meeting with local officials, brainstorming a public awareness campaign, participating in a peaceful march or rally, and more.

“We are grateful to the PSEG Foundation and thrilled to once again be partnering with them to bring meaningful and educational experiences to Girl Scouts which will help them learn how to enact positive, tangible change in their communities,” Sandra Kenoff, GSNNJ president and CEO, said in a statement.

The two organizations also worked together in 2018 and 2019, when the PSEG Foundation supported GSNNJ with grant funding for an Energy Patch Initiative, which enabled girls to learn about energy efficiency and natural gas over the course of six weeks, including how to identify natural gas by smell to help detect a leak and what to do if they suspect a leak.

“Social justice is critical to our efforts and the PSEG Foundation is eager to support those organizations like GSNNJ that help equip young people to stand against racism and work for a just society for all – building a sustainable future where all people prosper,” added Calvin Ledford, president of the PSEG Foundation.

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls ages 5 to 18 in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and northern Warren counties, including more than 17,200 girls and nearly 9,700 adult members.