CNJN’s Flagship Program
Community Voices launched in early 2025 in the capital city of Trenton, New Jersey, and continues today as CNJN’s flagship initiative.
Its mission is to strengthen New Jersey communities by equipping growing nonprofits with a dedicated media arm; showcasing their work and mission as well as connecting them with the support systems necessary for producing quality content.
Participating partner organizations gain access to professional media infrastructure that would otherwise be financially out of reach. The program provides technology access, hands-on training, and subsidized production resources, along with distribution across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.
Read more below to learn about the program in detail.
Community Impact
We understand how difficult this moment is for community media. The institutions that once helped local stories reliably reach the public are under attack. Print is fading, local journalism is shrinking, and public television is facing increasing financial and political strain in New Jersey.
The numbers make this problem clear. Northwestern’s 2024 State of Local News report found that more than 3,300 newspapers have disappeared since 2005, with over two papers closing every week. Yet Pew reports that 85% of Americans still believe local news is important to their community’s well-being. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, state support for NJ PBS was cut by 75%, reducing its appropriation from $1 million to $250,000.
Our strategy is simple: equip the community with tools to create and distribute critical messages. We distribute content across broadcast, streaming, and social platforms so that wherever people are looking, these stories have a chance to find them. CNJN works to amplify impactful work that is often underutilized, missions that are underrepresented, and stories that might otherwise go untold.
Northwestern: State of Local News 2024
Pew Research: Local News Importance Study
Current: New Jersey reduces funding for NJ PBS
200K+ Audience Views
CNJN content across social platforms has generated hundreds of thousands of views, expanding the reach of community voices beyond traditional media.
20+ Featured Organizations
A wide range of community organizations have come through our doors. Some produce programming themselves, while others participate in interviews, panels, or features created with CNJN.
50+ Community Stories Told
Through interviews and feature segments, we produce a growing number of stories each year. These productions highlight community leaders, organizations, and NJ residents.
Participant Highlights
Click or tap to see our work
Father Center of NJ
Forged 2 Prosper is a podcast produced by The Father Center of New Jersey. The program highlights the organization’s mission while providing a platform for community members, leaders, and families to discuss the importance of responsible fatherhood, parenting, and child development. Through conversations grounded in lived experience, the podcast shares insights for single fathers, single mothers, and families working to grow stronger together, while reinforcing the values and support systems that help children and communities thrive.
Click or tap to see our work
The Trenton Journal
Capital Conversations is a show produced by The Trenton Journal. The program extends the publication’s mission by creating a forum for conversations on the issues shaping New Jersey’s capital city. Through interviews with community leaders, elected officials, and nonprofit directors, the show highlights relevant perspectives, local developments, and emerging challenges while helping inform residents about the news and initiatives impacting Trenton and its surrounding communities.
Click or tap to see our work
New Jersey HAC
In 2025, the New Jersey Homeless Action Collaborative (NJHAC) produced a series highlighting the lived experiences of individuals across New Jersey who have faced homelessness. Through interviews and personal stories, the program reveals the realities behind housing instability while bringing attention to the human impact of the issue. By centering firsthand perspectives, the series raises awareness that housing insecurity is often closer to home than many realize.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Community Voices is CNJN’s community media program, open for applications in 2026. It gives nonprofits, civic groups, businesses, and local organizations the tools to affordably amplify their voices through professional video and digital media. Participants can produce anything from long-form programs to short-form clips, PSAs, testimonials, and promotional content. Our studio, equipment, and guidance make production simple, affordable, and accessible.
1. Subsidized Studio Access
Through the Community Voices program, organizations can access CNJN’s professional studio facilities at a subsidized rate. Studio time that would typically cost hundreds of dollars is available for $65 for two hours, making high-quality media production accessible to community groups.
If you would like technical support during your session, CNJN can arrange a contractor to assist with filming, audio, and production. This service is available for an additional fee.
Organizations can also reduce costs by taking advantage of our media training opportunities, which equip participants with the skills needed to operate equipment and produce content independently.
2. Media Training Opportunity
Organizations participating in the Community Voices program can take advantage of CNJN’s media training opportunity. We train a designated member of your team on how to operate the studio equipment and manage the control board to ensure a smooth and professional recording session. With this training, your organization gains the tools and knowledge needed to produce high-quality media independently in CNJN’s studio space.
3. Subsidized Post Production
Post-production can be rigorous and time-consuming. Through the Community Voices program, CNJN offers subsidized editing services designed to streamline the process and turn your recorded footage into polished media.
Each studio booking includes complimentary editing support for both long-form programming and short-form social content, helping your organization produce professional media ready for distribution.
4. Distribution & Promotion
After studio use and post-production, CNJN helps expand your reach. Your content can air on CNJN broadcast channels and streaming platforms at no cost.
We also coordinate social media promotion, collaborating on posts to help grow your audience.
Programs can be distributed across CNJN broadcasts, Apple, Amazon, Roku, Instagram, and Facebook, helping your message reach viewers wherever they watch.
Community Voices
CNJN is seeking organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders with a story to tell and a message to share. If you are interested in creating professional video content and amplifying your voice, we are here to help and encourage you to apply!
Our Sponsors
We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors for their unwavering support. Your contributions empower us to foster community growth, create meaningful content, and continue our mission of engaging, informing, and entertaining audiences. Together, we are making a lasting impact.
