Heating season. If you get LIHEAP or USF, New Jersey's Winter Termination Program can stop gas and electric shut-offs from Nov 15 to Mar 15. Ask us.
Heating season. Shut-off protection

If you get LIHEAP or USF, New Jersey's Winter Termination Program can stop gas and electric shut-offs from Nov 15 to Mar 15. Ask us.

 Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM · 390 Manila Ave & 307 MLK DrEnglishEspañol
PACO
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Black-and-white photo from PACO's early years in Jersey City

Who we are.

Founded in Jersey City in 1970. Governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and run by a bilingual staff.

Our story

PACO stands for Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization. Puerto Rican neighbors founded it in Jersey City in 1970, and it has served Hudson County in Spanish and English ever since.

Today PACO helps families pay their energy bills, makes homes warmer and safer through Weatherization, runs a Senior Center, and provides affordable housing through its affiliates.

PACO's original shield from 1970
The 1970 shieldPACO's first emblem names the six goals the agency was founded on:
  • Secondary education (Educación secundaria)
  • Equal rights (Igualdad de derechos)
  • Children's development and health (Desarrollo de niños y salud)
  • Housing (Viviendas)
  • Economic development (Desarrollo económico)
  • Jobs (Empleos)

See what we did this season →

Leadership and board

Staff leaders

  • Julio GarciaExecutive Director
  • Io OrtizEnergy Conservation Department Director
  • Eugenia “Gina” FranciscoProgram Manager, Senior Services Program
  • Andrea RivadeneiraCommunity Engagement Manager

Board of Trustees

  • Melissa Rivera, PhDChairperson
  • Vishnu Khemraj, Esq.Vice-Chairperson
  • Israel Nieves, MAInterim Treasurer
  • Sonia Araujo, MLSSecretary
  • Vivianne Jimenez, MSSergeant-at-Arms

Board as of October 2026.

How PACO is governed

  • A volunteer Board of Trustees governs PACO. PACO's latest Form 990 reports $0 pay for every trustee.
  • The board makes PACO's major decisions by vote, as numbered resolutions, and keeps a record of every one.
  • Trustees review every funded program's results against its contract during the year.
  • The Executive Director runs PACO day to day and reports to the board.

Where our staff work

Every office serves families in English and Spanish.

Energy assistance

307 Martin Luther King Dr., Jersey City

Applications for LIHEAP and USF, and help with shut-off notices.

Main office and Multi-Service Center

390 Manila Avenue, Jersey City

PACO's executive office, and help with every program.

Senior Center

398 Manila Avenue, Jersey City

Activities, benefits help and company for older adults.

Hours, phones and outreach sites →

One mission. Three affiliates.

PACO Housing Corporation I

Owner of Villa Borinquen I: 241 homes in Jersey City.

PACO Urban Renewal Corporation II

General partner of Villa Borinquen II: 48 family homes at 434 Manila Avenue.

PACO Community Development Corp.

Neighborhood revitalization and workforce programs.

Who stands with us

Our funders

Community partners

Accountability

PACO's tax returns (Form 990) and its federal single audit are public on ProPublica. Our Candid profile carries a Seal of Transparency.

  • Candid Seal of Transparency: see PACO's profile
  • Hispanic Federation member
  • Proud member of the Center for Non-Profits