About Us
PRAB’s mission is to equip diverse individuals and families in Central New Jersey to achieve personal, family, and community development.
PRAB is a comprehensive human services organization that offers early childhood, youth, family, and community services to over 30,000 individuals and families annually in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, and Central New Jersey.
We’ve come a long way from 1971, when a group of Puerto Rican/Latino volunteers provided English classes to recently arrived Latinos, and assisted them with securing a high school equivalency diploma. By 1974, we were running state-funded ESL and GED programs, and were operating New Jersey’s first full-time, bilingual/multicultural Daycare Center for children, ages 2 ½ to 5.
Today, we’re a “one-stop shop” that helps diverse Central New Jersey residents identify their assets and abilities, and strengthen themselves, their families, and their community. As the Community Action Agency for Middlesex County West (since 2009), we also address issues of poverty to change people’s lives, bring hope, and improve our local communities.
OUR VISION
PRAB’s vision is that Central New Jersey is a healthy, diverse community with productive, self-sufficient and socially-responsible individuals and families.
HEALTHY
A healthy Central New Jersey will work to improve the social fabric of the society and its members.
Diverse
Its diverse communities will be welcoming, respectful, and compassionate, and draw from and share their multicultural and multilingual talents and resources.
PRODUCTIVE
Its productive individuals and families will develop personally and professionally, and effectively access and use community services and resources.
SELF-SUFFICIENT
Its self-sufficient individuals and families will take care of themselves, do well in school and work, and maintain stable residences.
Socially-responsible
Its socially-responsible individuals and families will work with others to improve conditions in their communities
Our Service Delivery Approach
PRAB employs a RADIANT approach to service delivery
RESPONSIVE
We are a bona fide community partner and devoted advocate, speaking on behalf of people whose needs may otherwise go unmet due to social, cultural, linguistic, economic, and other factors.
AGE-APPROPRIATE
We engage and involve people of all age groups in programs and services that take into account their personal developmental levels.
DEVELOPMENTAL
We help individuals and families develop their assets and abilities through participation in program and community efforts.
INNOVATIVE
We create programs and services that effectively meet the present and future needs of the individuals and families in the community.
ACTION-ORIENTED
We empower individuals and families to be involved in community life and to help others in their individual and family growth.
NURTURING
We strive to understand Central New Jersey’s diverse cultures, challenges, and collective desire to succeed, and provide our services in a multicultural, bilingual environment
TRANSFORMATIVE
We maintain learning environments and collaborative spaces to ensure continuous and lasting improvements in the community.
Our Trustees
PRAB’s 12-member Board of Trustees governs our affairs, and provides oversight and guidance to the CEO. The Board includes elected officials, representatives of low-income individuals & families, and private sector representatives. Our current Trustees are:
MARIAM MERCED
Chairperson
Low-Income Rep
Director, Community Health Promotions Program
RWJ Barnabas Health
Shanel Y. Robinson
Vice Chairperson
Elected Official
Council At-Large
Franklin Township Council
John Clarke
Treasurer
Low-Income Rep
Executive Director
New Brunswick Housing Authority
Michael Beltranena
Secretary
Private Sector Rep
Director of Safety & Security
Coach USA Bus Company
Kenneth Armwood
Member
Elected Official
Freeholder
Middlesex County
Daniel Domínguez
Member
Private Sector Rep
Lieutenant
New Brunswick Police Department
Betty Reba
Member
Private Sector Rep
Retired Executive Director
David Rodríguez Spevack
Member
Private Sector Rep
Attorney
Spevack Law Firm
Blanquita Valenti
Member
Elected Official
Freeholder
Middlesex County
Francis “Mac” Womack III
Member
Elected Official
Mayor
North Brunswick Township
José Abreu
Member
Low-Income Rep
Senior Staff Attorney
Central Jersey Legal Services
Dr. Shilpa Pai, MD FAAP
Member
Low-Income Rep
Director, Resident Education, Advocacy & Community Health
Rutgers RWJ Medical School
Our Executive Team
PRAB’s Executive Team provides leadership, direction, and management of the organization’s affairs. It also works closely with the Board of Trustees, and partners with a diverse management staff team. Our current Executive Team members are:
