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Newark Now - About Us
Newark Now was founded in 2002 by Cory Booker to provide Newark residents with skills, tools, and support to transform their neighborhoods.
Newark Now conducts multi-faceted initiatives designed to improve safety, economic independence, and civic participation.
Newark Now helps Newarkers become aware of useful resources and services, helps connect them to those resources and services, helps government and non-governmental entities improve collaboration and coordination
in the delivery of their services, and helps grassroots organizations build their capacity to lead community improvement efforts.
Newark Now initiatives include:
* A Community Partners initiative that helps dozens of Newark community organizations build capacity and coalitions, and provides organizations with training to help them grow – leadership development, strategic planning, program development, community organizing, fundraising, and media relations
* Family Success Centers that connect more than 1,000 of Newark's most challenged families to vital government and non-governmental services and resources in ongoing ways
* Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites that, in 2008, have helped more than 2,000 low-income families obtain more than $3 million in tax refunds via free, professional tax preparation services
* A Super Summer initiative that has connected more than 88,000 Newarkers to positive activities and events, and more than 3,000 Newarkers to key resources such as free pre-school and free health insurance
* A Fatherhood Center that will help more than 100 fathers annually develop a stronger commitment to fatherhood, stronger parenting skills, and more solid employment skills. The program began in April 2008.
* A Super Neighborhood Community Covenant Initiative which provides a framework for 10 City geographic areas – called “Super Neighborhoods” – to develop community priorities and work in partnership with City government to create positive change.
* An annual Brighter Holidays campaign that provides challenged Newark families with more than 3,000 turkeys each Thanksgiving, and provides more than 1,000 families with toys, clothing, and food during December.
