HOBOKEN, NJ —
June 26, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
Funds will support field trips, career prep, and a new book initiative for city students.
Fifth graders in Hoboken public schools just got a little more company on their field trips. And maybe a new book to take home.
At a Tenth Anniversary Gala last month, the Hoboken Public Education Foundation (HPEF) raised over $310,000. That money is already earmarked for things like college prep programs, classroom upgrades, and a brand-new effort to put libraries directly in front of kids — even if the schools don’t have room for a full media center.
The Big Idea
The gala, held at the W Hoboken, drew more than 200 businesses to its auction and credit from dozens of individual families and corporate sponsors. But the headline number — more than $310,000 — tells only part of the story.
Since HPEF launched in 2015, it has funneled over $3.4 million into the district, funding more than 125 initiatives. Those include field trips for K-8 students, career-readiness programs, classroom enhancements, and other school-wide efforts that often get cut from tight budgets.
Now, the foundation is tackling a problem many parents have known for years: Hoboken’s elementary and middle schools don’t have libraries. Blame the city’s tight real estate. Schools built decades ago never anticipated today’s enrollment numbers, and there’s simply no square footage for a traditional media center.
Enter Libraries Without Limits.
The initiative aims to bring books directly to students — through mobile carts, classroom collections, and shared digital resources. Dr. Christine Johnson, the district’s superintendent, put it simply: “Every child deserves the chance to discover a book they love, to explore, to question, to learn.”
How We Got Here
HPEF began as the brainchild of four parents who saw that Hoboken’s growing school district needed private support to keep up. A decade later, that small idea has turned into a funding engine that touches nearly every student.
The gala also honored Karla De Epstein and Andy Epstein with the Shirael Pollack HPEF #AimHigher Award. The couple, parents of a child with autism, have focused their giving on strengthening special services programming. Karla De Epstein said the community’s support has been “invaluable” and called it “natural” to give back.
What It Means for Hudson County
For Hoboken families, this money isn’t abstract. It means a fourth grader going to a museum for the first time. It means a high school junior getting help navigating college applications. And it means a child in a school without a library might still find a book to call their own.
Hoboken is a small city with big needs. Its public schools serve a diverse population — from longtime residents to recent arrivals. Programs funded by HPEF help level the playing field, giving students experiences and resources that wealthier districts might take for granted.
Voices from the Night
“This was more than a celebration of ten years of impact,” said Allison Strobel, HPEF’s executive director. “It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community rallies around its students.”
Sponsors included Advance Realty Investors, B&A Food Brokers, and Bijou Properties, alongside 13 other businesses and 69 Gold Star families. The auction alone drew support from over 200 businesses.
What’s Next
HPEF plans to use the gala’s momentum to launch Libraries Without Limits across the district in the coming months. Families who want to help can donate directly through the foundation’s website. The group is also looking for volunteers and partners to help expand the program.
In Hoboken, a city built on tight blocks and big dreams, the next chapter of public education is being written by parents, teachers, and neighbors — one book, one field trip, one dollar at a time.
Source: Hudson County View
