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Newark Now Programs:
Community Partners
Newark Now's Community Partners Program
The Community Partners initiative currently helps more than 30 Newark grassroots 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.
The following are examples of invaluable services that the Community Partner organizations provide to the city of Newark: adult and youth mentoring programs, block and tenant associations, violence prevention, community sports and recreation, tutoring programs, community and youth outreach, community event programming, and cultural education.
Some of the key components of the Community Partners program are:
An annual Brighter Holidays Campaign that provides more than 1500 challenged Newark families with toys, clothing, and food, during the December holiday season.
How I See It: Each year, with camera in hand, residents are challenged to take photographs that most beautifully illustrate the spirit of their neighborhood, providing a unique glimpse into Newark's communities and reflecting the passion behind the photographers community involvement. The most inspiring photos are selected and displayed at the How I See It photo exhibit. The featured photographs are auctioned at the end of the evening and the auction proceeds benefit the organization responsible for the respective photographs.
Grassroots Leadership Institute: The GLI is based on what Newark Now believes are the keys to building solid organizations and healthier communities. The GLI is an eight week training course designed to help our grassroots leaders increase capacity and learn to create and implement a plan of action to improve their communities.
For more information about the Community Partner program contact Erica Knowles at 973.733.3460 or eknowles@newarknow.org
Community Partners
1. Against All Odds
2. A New Step
3. C.A.U.S.E.
4. Fleetwood Tri-Block Association
5. FP Youth Outcry
6. Franklin--St. John's Community Center
7. Heritage Tenants Association
8. Humanity for Africa
9. Just One Soccer League
10. Musuyanama
11. Newark Youth Golf
12. New Jersey Women AIDS Network (NJWAN)
13. Support Our Sisters
14. Saving Our Selves
15. The Network
16. United Initiatives for Peace
17. Wainwright Block Association
6 Ways to Improve Your Community:
1. Set Good Examples
A great and cost effective way to improve your community is not by concentrating on the faults of your neighbors but by setting a good example of yourself. Be friendly and outgoing not loud or disruptive to your neighbors. Keep your home clean, trash picked up and maintenance your lawn or yard.
2. Volunteering
There are a lot of ways to do this and they could be as simple as volunteering to coach the a local youth team in your neighborhood; volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen; organizing a fundraiser for someone who maybe sick or in need. There are lots of worthy causes to choose from, pick one!
3. Clean up Your Community
Organize a group of family, friends, or neighbors and set aside one day a week or month to get together and pick up litter and trash in the streets in your community.
4. Be Active
Take part and be active in your community by getting to know your neighbors and local business owners by taking part in local activities such as church, charities, town hall meetings and etc. if it affects you and your community, take part and exercise your right to vote!
5. Neighborhood Watch
Organize and start a neighborhood watch in your community with your family, friends and neighbors. This will not only improve your community by allowing you to get to know your neighbors, but also make the community safer for you, your loved ones and neighbors.
6. Plan Social Activities
Plan social activities such as cook outs, block parties, ball games, festivals, parades and other annual events. This can be a great way to get people in the community involved by coming out and getting to know each other. It will also show any visitors to your community that it is a friendly and pleasant place to live.
Community Center of the Month:
The YES Center is committed to helping young adults become more caring, competent and contributing citizens to the City of Newark. The Center provides opportunities for lifelong learning and career development of Newark youth. In addition the YES Centers also offers and provides access to a wide range of resources such as counseling, training and placement services. The YES Center is located at 200 Washington Street. For more info, please visit www.teemgateway.rutgers.edu.
