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Newark Now Programs:
Super Summer
Click Here! Super Summer 2009 Directory
The Super Summer Initiative pools the efforts of local government, community partners, and resident stakeholders to provide fun-filled, family-friendly recreational activities, to target recreational activities and vital information towards high violence neighborhoods, and to increase awareness of summer programs, job training and educational opportunities, social services, youth development programs, sports and outdoor activities and anti-violence initiatives through extensive outreach efforts.
In 2009, 147,214 Newarkers participated in 309 Super Summer events, including block parties, outdoor movies, music concerts, cultural festivals, sporting events, farmers markets, and more. Also, in 2008, nearly 100,000 Super Summer Directories in newspaper format were filled with summer opportunities for youth, families and seniors were distributed throughout the five wards in Newark.
A Look Back At Super Summer 2009
Super Summer 2009 pooled the resources of local government, community partners, and resident stakeholders to provide fun-filled, family friendly recreational activities, expanded social services, site-specific summer programming in high violence neighborhoods, and youth development, sports and outdoor activities.
Some of the highlights of Super Summer 2009 included:
Summer Directory - To increase awareness and participation in the array of summer opportunities offered in Newark each summer, 100,000 Super Summer Directories were distributed throughout Newark's five wards through door-to-door outreach, community events, the Newark Public Schools, local businesses, and more. Each directory contained valuable information on free or low-cost summer opportunities including summer camps, educational enrichment and character building programs, services for seniors, sports and recreation programs, music concerts, health services, and more.
Super Summer Web Calendar - The Super Summer Web Calendar and weekly E-Blast provided Newarkers with access to daily-updated events and activities taking place throughout the City. From the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's Sounds of the City to residential block parties, the Web Calendar offered Newarkers a vibrant listing of local events at the click of a button.
Abbreviated Block Party Permit Process - One of the primary goals of Super Summer 2009 was to empower residents to play a role in the creation of a safe and memorable summer for Newark residents. The Abbreviated Block Party Permit Process was an engine through which that was achieved. Each Super Summer Block Party applicant had their $50 block party permit fee waived and received a Block Party Kit with giveaways such as t-shirts, Frisbees, balloons, and more. 85 Super Summer Block Parties benefited from the Abbreviated Block Party Permit Process and Block Party Kits.
Family-Centered Activities - As part of Super Summer 2009, Newark Now and its Community Coordinators coordinated and implemented community events throughout the City. A particular focus this past Summer was on the newly renovated City parks. A variety of community festivals engaged residents to help them become long-term partners for, and feel a strong sense of investment in, the parks and other key institutions in their communities.
What follows are key statistics associated with Super Summer 2009.
147,214 Newarkers participated in 309 Super Summer events, including block parties, outdoor movies, music concerts, cultural festivals, sporting events, farmers markets, and more.
85 of the 309 Super Summer events were resident-initiated and coordinated block parties, supported by Newark Now and the City of Newark through the Abbreviated Block Party Permit Process.
Community Coordinators distributed vital information door-to-door to Newarkers and assisted in coordinating and supporting community events throughout the City.
100,000 Super Summer Directories filled with summer opportunities for youth, families and seniors were distributed throughout the five wards in Newark to increase residents' awareness about resources offered in the City of Newark.
Over 22,528 pieces of literature on free pre-school, summer activities and programs, free health insurance, free financial services and more were distributed through Super Summer events and door-to-door outreach.
10,100 Super Summer branded t-shirts, Frisbees, and other items were distributed at block parties and various Super Summer events throughout the City.
Conclusion
Super Summer 2009 created a summer rich with opportunities for young people and families, connecting them to services, resources, and activities that helped lead to a higher quality of life. As importantly, Super Summer 2009 continued to build a sense of community spirit throughout Newark, which is helping to sustain Newark's overall transformation.
For more information about Super Summer contact Michelle Burgess at 973 733 3460 or mburgess@newarknow.org
