About Us

The TREBA Foundation Inc. is a Jersey City–based nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to education, career pathways, and generational wealth opportunities for underserved communities. We work to remove systemic barriers by providing lifelong learning, workforce development, entrepreneurship training, and community-centered redevelopment initiatives.

Guided by our belief that strong communities are built by investing in people, TREBA creates spaces and programs that support individuals from early childhood through adulthood — helping families thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

Our purpose is simple:

To build communities of opportunity where every generation can learn, grow, and succeed.

OUR ORGANIZATION

How TREBA Was Born

The TREBA Foundation began as a vision Dr. Ernesto “Doc” Tolentino carried for decades — a vision to give back to the city that raised him. As a Jersey City native who rose to become a renowned orthopedic surgeon and respected real estate developer, Dr. Tolentino witnessed firsthand the widening gaps in opportunity affecting young people, families, and neighborhoods across the city.

In early 2025, Dr. Tolentino established Tolentino Real Estate and Business Associates, LLC, a company focused on real estate development, business management, and strategic community acquisitions. From this entity came the acronym TREBA, representing not just a name, but a framework for building stronger, more equitable communities. The associates within TREBA were hand-selected for their integrity, expertise, and shared commitment to uplifting Jersey City.

Dr. Tolentino believed that if families had more accessible pathways to education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and generational wealth, thousands of lives could be transformed. When the opportunity emerged to reimagine the former PS #3 building on Bright Street, Dr. Tolentino and the TREBA team saw more than an aging structure — they saw the foundation for a hub of opportunity for every generation.

That vision became The TREBA Foundation: an initiative created to transform spaces, empower families, and strengthen communities from the inside out.

Why TREBA’s Work Is Needed

Jersey City is a growing and diverse community, yet many families still face barriers to education, economic mobility, and long-term opportunity. More than 40% of public school students come from economically disadvantaged households, and many neighborhoods lack access to affordable skills training, mentorship, and youth development programs. At the same time, most new jobs in New Jersey require post-secondary training or industry credentials, which are qualifications that thousands of residents cannot easily access.

Families in nearby neighborhoods earn significantly below the citywide median income, young adults lack consistent pathways into high-demand careers, and minority entrepreneurs face limited access to capital, resources, and structured business support. These gaps contribute to ongoing inequity and limit the full potential of the community.

TREBA exists to change this. By transforming 70 Bright Street and other unused city properties into hubs for education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and family support, we are creating the pathways where many cities like Jersey City need to help every generation learn, grow, and thrive.

Community Statistics in Jersey City

Over 40% of Jersey City public school students come from economically disadvantaged households.
In several neighborhoods, median household income is up to 50% lower than the citywide average.
1 in 6 residents lives below the federal poverty line.
Many young adults lack access to career-aligned training, despite most new jobs requiring post-secondary credentials.
Employers report shortages in skilled trades, healthcare support, and technical roles, yet training access remains limited.
Thousands of families lack basic digital literacy or reliable internet, widening educational and employment gaps.
Youth mentorship and leadership programs are severely under-resourced, leaving many students without positive guidance or safe learning spaces.
Minority entrepreneurs continue to face limited access to capital and structured business support, slowing economic mobility.

A Stronger Future Starts NOW

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MEET THE FOUNDER & Chairman

Dr. Ernesto A. Tolentino

Dr. Tolentino, also known as "Doc", is a retired distinguished orthopedic surgeon, community leader, and lifelong Jersey City resident whose career has been marked by excellence, service, and compassion. Known widely for his surgical expertise and unwavering dedication to patient care, he has also built a parallel legacy in real estate development, using his resources and experience to uplift the community.

He is the husband of the late Honorable Judge Shirley Tolentino, a pioneering legal figure and a symbol of justice and progress in Jersey City and throughout the state of New Jersey. Together, they have inspired generations through their commitment to education, equity, and public service. Dr. Tolentino’s leadership, humility, and deep-rooted love for Jersey City continue to guide TREBA’s mission and shape its vision for the future.

Dr. Ernesto A. Tolentino

Our Mission

To empower individuals and families by expanding access to education, workforce opportunities, and economic mobility through programs and services that promote lifelong learning and community advancement.