BAYONNE, N.J. - Today, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced a $5.7 million grant awarded to the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (“BEOF”) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will be used to renovate facilities to house the Stepping Stone Academy, which provides Head Start services in Bayonne to low-income and special needs children between the ages of 3 and 5.
“This funding will be transformational not just for the hundreds of children and families that rely on Head Start services in order to learn and grow, but for the entire City of Bayonne as well,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “This is an important reminder of the value of investments in Head Start and early childhood education, something that I will always prioritize at the federal level. I’m looking forward to seeing the newly renovated facility and the impact it will have on our community.”
“The Head Start grant for the Holy Family Project marks a transformative moment for our community,” said Anthony Segarra, Executive Director of BEOF. “This has been a shared effort—building on the groundwork laid by prior leadership and continuing through months of tireless advocacy and a rigorous application process. The grant has been awarded, and we are now awaiting the official release of funds to continue and complete this long-awaited project. I am deeply grateful to Congressman Menendez, HHS, the BEOF Board of Directors, Mayor Davis, and the City of Bayonne for their unwavering support throughout this process. This investment ensures that Bayonne Head Start children and their families will have access to the early education facilities they deserve—built on equity, hope, and a commitment to future generations.”
“This is great news for the City of Bayonne. The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation and its Head Start program have been waiting patiently for this grant,” said Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis. “This important funding will enable Head Start to complete renovations at the former Holy Family Academy, the future home of Head Start in Bayonne. We look forward to moving all of the Head Start students into a single, renovated school building. We would like to thank Congressman Rob Menendez for his outstanding work on obtaining this vitally important grant.”
The grant, totaling $5,766,535 was funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Services for the purpose of promoting school readiness and overall wellbeing of families that rely on Head Start programs. Stepping Stone Academy is a Head Start provider operated by the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, which has helped more than 73,000 clients since 1965.
Congressman Menendez has proudly represented New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District since 2023. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is a member of the Congressional Dads Caucus.
