Ride share company Lyft said Tuesday it awarded five organizations grants as part of an initiative to eliminate transportation as a barrier to upward mobility for minorities.

Grants went to Melinated Moms, Ironbound Community Corp., Nassan’s Place, Rutgers Community Christian Church, and Brick Education Network. They were announced Tuesday.

Melinated Moms received a grant to provide free ride credits for moms to attend doctor’s appointments and other essential services.

Ironbound Community Corp. received a grant to help families and seniors access essential goods and services like doctor’s appointments, groceries, and its Remote Learning Child Care Program, as well as to securely transport community members experiencing domestic violence to safety.

Nassan’s Place received a grant to help and support families who need to get to and from grocery stores and doctor’s appointments.

Rutgers Community Christian Church received a grant for free ride credits for seniors and families who need to access essential goods and services to the hospital, job interviews, mechanic, and their on-campus food distribution program.

Lastly, Brick Education Network received a grant to provide free ride credits for residents of Newark’s South Ward to access essential services and resources.

“The coronavirus pandemic has hit those that have the least far worse. Something as simple as getting to a doctor’s appointment, going to the grocery store, getting to a job interview, or dropping off your kids at childcare can seem impossible when you simply do not have the money to get to where you have to go,” said Ironbound Community Corp. Executive Director Vicky Hernandez. “The LyftUp free credit rides are such a welcome support for our families and community members that are struggling during this difficult time, especially in communities of color, like Ironbound.”

“The lingering effects of COVID-19 continue to negatively impact the South Ward of Newark. The Lyft grant provides so much more than a ride to or from a destination. It’s about access. Access to everyday, essential services and resources that South Ward residents are often forced to live without due to a lack of reliable and safe transportation,” said Brick Chief Program Officer Nichelle Holder.

Lyft developed its LyftUp Community Grants program in 2018 for Lyft to identify and connect with some of North America’s hardest working organizations. Any 501(c)3 organization in the New Jersey metro area is eligible to apply for a grant.