The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF) has been awarded a $5,766,535 grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will fund the renovation of the former Holy Family Academy located at 237-249 Avenue A in Bayonne, New Jersey. This facility will serve as the new home of the Stepping Stone Academy, which provides Head Start services to low-income and special needs children between the ages of 3 and 5.
The Stepping Stone Academy is operated by BEOF and is a Head Start provider. The grant was awarded to support facility improvements, specifically to house this program. The funding is part of a federal initiative to promote school readiness and overall well-being among families who rely on Head Start programs.
- Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation received a $5.7 million federal grant to renovate the former Holy Family Academy for its Head Start program.
- The renovated facility will centralize services for low-income and special needs children aged 3–5, replacing multiple existing sites.
- Environmental remediation, including a $39,740 soil investigation, is required before construction proceeds on the long-vacant school building.
Renovation Plans for the Former Holy Family Academy
The building that will house the new Head Start facility is the former Holy Family Academy, which has been vacant since 2013. The City of Bayonne bonded for $2.5 million in 2017 to purchase the property. In the years following the purchase, BEOF was awarded a $2.1 million contract for renovations.
Despite these earlier allocations, the renovation project has experienced delays. The recent $5.7 million federal grant is intended to continue and complete the project. Renovations will be limited to the building’s interior; no exterior modifications have been specified.
In addition to the classrooms and facilities for Head Start, the BEOF administrative office, currently located on JFK Boulevard in Bayonne, will be relocated to the former convent building that is part of the Holy Family property.
Two existing Head Start sites currently in use by BEOF are located near the 8th Street station of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail. These sites are planned to be closed, and the properties will be sold for commercial or residential development once the new facility is operational.
Environmental Work and Soil Investigation Agreement
Environmental work has already begun at the Holy Family property, including the removal of an oil tank from the site, and further environmental steps are planned. The Bayonne City Council is expected to authorize Mayor Jimmy Davis to enter into an agreement with BEOF for a remedial soil investigation.
The soil investigation will be performed by Matrix New World Engineering. The agreement is structured for a one-year term beginning on September 1, 2024, and ending on August 31, 2025. The cost of the investigation will not exceed $39,740.
This investigation is necessary to assess the condition of the site and to comply with environmental standards before further construction work continues.
Role and History of the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation
The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation was established in 1965. Since its founding, BEOF has served over 150,000 clients. It is part of the National Community Action Partnership and provides various services, including early education, housing assistance, utility support, and meal programs.
BEOF’s mission is to provide services that address the social, economic, educational, and training needs of residents, with the goal of helping individuals and families achieve economic security.
In 2015, BEOF expanded several of its programs from Bayonne to include all of Hudson County. In addition to services provided directly, BEOF also assists individuals who do not qualify for its programs by connecting them with state and federal resources through referrals.
The organization currently operates Stepping Stone Academy as a Head Start provider and is the recipient of Grant Number 02CH011900-04-02 from the Office of Head Start, a division within the Administration for Children and Families under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A disclaimer notes that the federal agency does not operate or control BEOF’s website, content, or services and that any findings or conclusions expressed by BEOF do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families or the Office of Head Start.
