Best Women's Programs in New Jersey — 16 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC programs, and the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) supports women statewide.

16 Resources

1. NJ Division on Women — Free

NJ Division on Women serves women in Trenton and surrounding New Jersey communities with wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills. Contact (609) 292-4840 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm — confirm by phone before driving in. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(609) 292-4840 · 50 E State St 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Dress for Success — Northern NJ — Free

Dress for Success — Northern NJ is a New Jersey women's program helping mothers with wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills. Contact (973) 731-8900 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

(973) 731-8900 · 1101 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

3. YWCA of Northern New Jersey — Free

YWCA of Northern New Jersey is the go-to women's program in the Ridgewood area for wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills. Reach the team at (201) 568-4740 to schedule a screening. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(201) 568-4740 · 112 Oak St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. NJ Women's Business Center — Free

SBA-funded center for women entrepreneurs. Contact the office or visit in person to learn about services, eligibility, and how to begin. Bring no requirements to join most programs; some scholarships require proof of income to make your first visit or call as productive as possible. Hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm — free for qualifying women.

Multiple NJ locations · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Girls Inc. of Greater Newark — Free

Girls Inc. of Greater Newark provides wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills for women in Newark. Contact (973) 824-3331 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(973) 824-3331 · 111 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

6. NJ Center for Women & Entrepreneurship — Free

NJ Center for Women & Entrepreneurship is a New Jersey women's program helping mothers with wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills. Contact (973) 353-1927 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(973) 353-1927 · Newark, NJ · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. YWCA Eastern Union County — Free

YWCA Eastern Union County provides wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills for women in Elizabeth. Phone (908) 355-1500 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free for qualifying New Jersey mothers and their children.

(908) 355-1500 · 1131 E Jersey St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault — Free

New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault provides wraparound support including financial coaching, peer groups, and life skills for women in Trenton. Phone (609) 631-4450 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying New Jersey mothers and their children.

(609) 631-4450 · 2333 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd Suite J, Trenton, NJ 08619 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. AAUW — American Association of University Women — Free

Empowering women through education, equity, advocacy, and research since 1881. Local branches in every state. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

Grassroots feminist organization advocating for women's rights with local chapters nationwide. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. League of Women Voters — Free

Nonpartisan organization encouraging informed civic participation. Local leagues in every state for women across the state. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. YWCA USA — Free

Eliminating racism and empowering women. Local YWCAs offer housing, childcare, job training and DV services. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Women's Funding Network — Free

Coalition of women's foundations funding solutions to women's and girls' issues nationwide. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Junior League — Free

International women's organization promoting voluntarism and developing leaders. Local chapters across the US. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Soroptimist International — Free

Global volunteer service organization for business and professional women, supporting local women's programs. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Zonta International — Free

Service organization of professional women advancing the status of women through service and advocacy. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women across the state who need vetted, plain-language information on leadership development, professional networking, workforce training, and advocacy. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in New Jersey?
Women's Corner tracks 16 women's programs resources for women in New Jersey.
Are women's programs resources in New Jersey free?
16 of the 16 listed women's programs resources in New Jersey are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New Jersey have women's programs resources?
Listings span cities including Trenton, Bloomfield, Ridgewood, Newark, Elizabeth.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in New Jersey?
Featured entries include NJ Division on Women, Dress for Success — Northern NJ, YWCA of Northern New Jersey, NJ Women's Business Center, Girls Inc. of Greater Newark.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
7 of 16 New Jersey women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?
Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?
Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?
Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?
Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.