Dear Friends,


Today officially marks the winter season. Let's do a little review, because this fall season, your generosity was a lifeline.


A few weeks ago, thanks to the incredible support of our Goldman Sachs volunteers and our Recovery Center teams, we packed 240 Blessing Bags (click for a little video) for people experiencing homelessness. These bags weren’t just filled with supplies, but also handwritten letters of well wishes from volunteers.

Each one included blankets, hats, gloves, hand warmers, personal hygiene items, Narcan, and more. These are critical items that will help people get through the winter safely. We distributed the bags to trusted partner organizations in Hudson, Union, Middlesex, and Atlantic counties, strengthening our partnerships and making sure support reached those who needed it most.

At the same time, all five of our Family Success Centers hosted their annual toy drives. And even with rising costs and tighter budgets, our community showed up in a big way. So far, more than 600 children have received gifts, with more still being counted.


To our donors and volunteers: please know that nearly 1,000 people will have received a gift or life-saving supplies in a matter of 3 weeks because of your generosity.


We're especially grateful to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Hance Family Foundation, and the many individual donors who stepped up to make this season a little brighter.


This year was hard.

Toys were more expensive.

Demand was higher than ever.

Our resources were stretched thin.

But what we lacked in budget, we made up for in heart.

Because of that, hundreds of people felt seen, cared for, and celebrated during a time that can be especially difficult.


As always, thank you for standing with us. From our community to yours, I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

P.S. Have something you want me to cover in this newsletter? Just reply here and let me know!

✨ Program Highlights ✨

Spending for the Holidays: Shopping Done with Ease

πŸ—“οΈ Dec 22 | Premiering at 12 pm

πŸ“ Hosted by NJ4S Union Hub on YouTube


In this session, β€œSpending for the Holidays: Shopping Done with Ease,” presenter Jennifer Destra breaks down how to navigate the holiday season with less stress, more intention, and smarter financial decisions.


Jennifer explores the emotional and financial pressures that often accompany holiday shopping and provides simple, realistic strategies to stay grounded, save money, and prioritize what truly matters. This session is all about bringing ease, clarity, and confidence into a time of year that can easily become overwhelming.

Christmas Caroling

πŸ—“οΈ Dec 23 | 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

πŸ“ Bayway Family Success Center, Elizabethport


The Bayway Family Success Center invites you to come together this holiday season for an evening of Christmas carols and festive celebration. As we sing familiar songs and enjoy the warmth of the season, we’ll take time to connect, reflect, and celebrate what makes this time of year so meaningful. All are welcome to join in the joy.

Christmas Eve Brunch

πŸ—“οΈ Dec 24 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

πŸ“Rise Up Recovery Center, Roselle


Join us for a cozy Christmas Eve Brunch featuring light fare, baked goods, and holiday movies. Enjoy a chill, welcoming vibe as we gather for a half-day celebration from 10 AM – 1 PM.


For more info or to RSVP: πŸ“§ jsheldon@preventionlinks.org

Holiday Movie Night

πŸ—“οΈ Dec 26 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

πŸ“Vision of Hope Recovery Center, Highland Park


Spend the evening with us enjoying a fun holiday movie as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. This cozy night is the perfect chance to unwind, connect with others, and enjoy a feel-good film in a welcoming, family-friendly space. Bring your holiday spirit and get ready for a relaxed, joyful evening.

Art Therapy Weekend

πŸ—“οΈ Dec 27 | 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

πŸ“Recovery Junction Recovery Center, Jersey City


Spend your Saturday at Recovery Junction enjoying a creative art session designed to encourage self-expression and play. With canvases, paints, clay, and other art supplies provided, this is a chance to relax, create, and reconnect with your inner child in a supportive environment.

β€Š

Prevention Links is a private, non-profit organization with a history dating back to 1971. With community being defined as any environment where people live, work, or learn, the goal of Prevention Links is to pull together all available resources to eliminate the deleterious effects of drugs, alcohol, violence, and inadequate educational and health institutions in our communities


Our mission is to foster healthy sustainable communities by empowering people through education, collaboration and by serving as the linkage to resources.

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

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