Gift honors the legacy of Josephine Rose Benedetto and the compassionate care delivered by Brookdale nursing students.

The Benedetto family has established a new endowed scholarship at Brookdale Community College to support students pursuing careers in health care. The scholarship honors the life of Josephine Rose “Jo” Benedetto and the compassionate care she experienced from Brookdale nursing students and alumni during her care at Riverview Medical Center.

“Our family saw, up close, the compassion and professionalism of Brookdale students and graduates,” said her son, Christian M. Benedetto, Jr. “They treated my mother, and all of us, with dignity and kindness. Creating this scholarship in her name felt like a meaningful way to say thank you and to help the next generation of caregivers.”

A lifelong resident of Monmouth County, Josephine Benedetto took three classes at Brookdale in the 1970s—real estate, psychology, and a crafts course—earning nine credits while helping run the family’s residential real estate business, Benedetto Realty Group. She and her husband were high school sweethearts who “grew up with very little,” Christian recalled, yet built a life grounded in hard work, faith, and everyday generosity. “Our mom helped everyone, neighbors, friends, even strangers. She believed in doing the right thing, whether that meant sharing a meal, donating warm coats in winter, or simply showing up.”

That spirit of care surrounded the family in 2024 as Josephine received treatment during multiple visits to Riverview, including time on the oncology/hematology unit. Throughout her care, the Benedettos frequently crossed paths with Brookdale student nurses, patient care technicians, and alumni. “By the end, the floor felt like family,” Christian said. “It takes a special person to do this work. We want this scholarship to make it a little easier for those people to get the education they need.”

The Josephine Rose Benedetto Endowed Scholarship was intentionally designed to be broad so it can help more students, Christian emphasized. “We’ve learned from years of philanthropy that scholarships can go unused if they’re too narrow. We want any New Jersey resident studying any health care field at Brookdale, whether a degree or certificate, to be eligible. Nursing, radiologic technology, patient care tech, you name it. If you’re preparing to care for others, you should be able to apply.”

The fund has launched at $25,000, with the family setting sights on $50,000, $100,000, and beyond through additional gifts and community support. “Our goal is steady growth,” Christian said. “We’ll keep contributing personally, and we’re inviting friends and neighbors to join us.”

In a nod to the family’s “lucky number,” the Benedettos are encouraging small, recurring gifts, think $24.24 per month, as a simple way for donors to make a collective impact. “You don’t need a fortune to change someone’s life,” Christian said. “A modest monthly gift can help a student buy books, pay a lab fee, or cover a class they need to graduate.”

When asked what he hopes scholarship recipients will take away, Christian didn’t hesitate: “Be excellent in your work and be kind. Pay it forward in ways both big and small. Hold a door, help a family through a hard day, mentor someone coming up behind you. My mom led by example. This scholarship is one more way her example can keep moving through the world.”

He added a personal note to future recipients: “You’re stepping into a profession that meets people at their most vulnerable moments. Thank you for choosing that path. We’re proud to support you.”

The Foundation has set up a donation page HERE for those who wish to contribute directly to grow this scholarship.