Nonprofits Transform Corporate Space into Impressive Art Exhibition
November 15, 2017WEST TRENTON, NJ — NJM Insurance Group, one of New Jersey's leading employers, recently hosted a reception to exhibit the artwork of two area nonprofit organizations, Fresh Artists of Philadelphia, Pa. and HomeFront's ArtSpace of Ewing, N.J. The proceeds help support and sustain each organization's innovative programs.
"Having these outstanding works on display at NJM — which for many of us is a home away from home — has transformed our office setting into a warm, colorful, creative space," said Bernie Flynn, NJM's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The art is truly impressive and the response from our employees has been tremendous. We're thrilled to play a part in supporting these organizations and their artists who work so passionately to empower the lives of others through their artistic expression."
Fresh Artists is a national, award-winning art program founded in 2008. The organization raises funds for arts education in underserved public schools. Children in grades K-12 donate their artwork to the Fresh Artists collection for high-resolution reproduction. These works are then gifted to corporations and individuals in exchange for financial contributions. Large-scale reproductions of artwork by more than 1,000 young people from across the country have been installed in over 200 corporate facilities, hospitals and hotels. To date, proceeds from the program have provided more than $500,000 in art supplies to schools in 40 states.
Established in 1992, HomeFront's mission is to help families break the cycle of poverty by providing comprehensive programs and services such as case management, homelessness prevention, job placement and readiness as well as special programming for children. Each day, HomeFront provides social service outreach to nearly 500 people in need of housing, the majority of them children. HomeFront's ArtSpace program began in 2007 and uses art as a therapeutic approach to help its clients regain confidence and increase their overall well-being. The ArtSpace creations are available to the public for purchase. The artists and ArtSpace program share the proceeds from each sale.
"Art education is essential in encouraging imagination and cultural understanding in our children," said Lauren Otis, Executive Director of Artworks, Trenton's visual arts center, whose mission is connecting community, culture and creativity through the arts. "The services that Fresh Artists and ArtSpace provide are so important to children and aspiring artists seeking a fuller, richer life. On behalf of the art community in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, I commend NJM for its role in helping to raise the awareness of these fine organizations and artists."
About NJM's Charitable Giving Program
NJM has operated in a true mutual fashion for the exclusive service and benefit of its policyholders for more than a century. The Company is among the Garden State's leaders in personal auto and homeowners insurance. Headquartered in West Trenton, N.J., with offices in Parsippany and Hammonton, NJM employs nearly 2,500 New Jersey-based workers.
One of the Company's core values is to support the communities it is privileged to serve. NJM has been fortunate to assist hundreds of organizations, including food banks, after-school programs and financial literacy groups through monetary donations and commitments of time and resources. The Company supports its employees in this effort as well by matching their charitable donations up to $1,000 annually, and offering eight hours of excused time per employee each year to volunteer at a qualified nonprofit. It has had the honor of receiving a number of accolades in recognition, including the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professional's 2014 Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award; New Jersey Monthly's Great Oak Award in 2016; and the New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award for Public Service that same year.