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Newark Now Programs:
Super Summer
Check out the 2011 Super Summer Web Site!
Click Here for the Super Summer 2011 Directory
Summer is an exciting time of year for families, often bringing vacations, barbecues, picnics and time off from school and work. In Newark, where the summer months can bring increased violence, connecting families to positive activities and resources is of the highest importance. Thankfully, a rich portfolio of positive activities and resources exists within Newark each summer. However, greater awareness of and access to this rich portfolio has been needed for Newark families, who typically do not know what's available or how best to participate in what's available. New and improved ways to reach residents and connect them to activities and resources are an imperative. Thus, Safe Summer 2006, Super Summer 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were created.
A Look Back At Super Summer 2011
Super Summer 2011 pooled the resources of local government, community partners, and resident stakeholders to provide fun-filled, family friendly recreational activities, jobs and job training, 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 2011 included:
Summer Directory – To increase awareness and participation in the array of summer opportunities offered in Newark each summer, 85,000 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 of 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.
Abbreviated Block Party Permit Process – One of the primary goals of Super Summer 2011 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, chalk, balloons, beach balls, and more. 96 Super Summer Block Parties benefited from the Abbreviated Block Party Permit Process.
Community Roll Calls – Summer Crime Operations Response and Enforcement (S.C.O.R.E.) initiative, a Newark Police Department initiative for a safer Newark met in various neighborhoods to address crimes impacting the community. This partnership included the Office of the Mayor, the Newark Municipal Council, Newark Fire Department, Newark NOW, various law enforcement agencies, and civic and faith-based organizations.
Law enforcement officers were on foot, in cars, on horseback, and motorcycles patrolling the neighborhood in an effort to develop cooperative relationships with area residents. These police-citizen contacts served as an opportunity to work together to manage crimes and conditions.
Further, juvenile curfew statues were enforced to help build an understanding between the youth and law enforcement; civic and faith-based counselors worked with youth at designated safe sites to offer referral and counseling. Parents were encouraged to advise their teens to return home before 10 pm.
What follows are key statistics associated with Super Summer 2011.
197,327 citizens participated in 426 Super Summer events, including block parties, outdoor movies, music concerts, cultural festivals, sporting events, farmers' markets, and more. This is a great increase from 2009, when 135,407 citizens participated in 271 events throughout the City.
355 of those 426 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.
Super Summer Community Coordinators distributed vital information door-to-door to Newarkers and assisted in coordinating and supporting community events throughout the City.
32,000 Super Summer Directories were distributed by Community Coordinators through door-to-door outreach and at Super Summer block parties and events.
Over 53,550 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. This is an increase from 2009, when 20,949 pieces of literature were distributed throughout the City.
12, 000 Super Summer branded t-shirts, Frisbees, chalk, beach balls, balloons, and etc. were distributed at block parties and various Super Summer events throughout the City. This number compares favorably to Super Summer 2007, when 10,510 Super Summer branded giveaways were distributed in Newark.
Super Summer 2011
Super Summer 2011 was a multi-faceted campaign to improve the quality of life of Newarkers in tangible and ongoing ways, and consisted of several key elements, including:
(1) Community Coordinators
Community Coordinators canvass Newark communities throughout the Summer, carrying out a variety of essential tasks, including:
Distributing thousands of comprehensive summer directories to help educate Newark parents and caregivers on summer opportunities for young people and families.
Connecting youth and families to neighborhood and city-wide family-friendly events
Connecting youth to recreation activities at City and other facilities
Connecting youth to slots at summer camps and other meaningful activities
Connecting youth to summer employment opportunities
Helping families connect to key resources such as Abbott Pre-School (free pre-school) and Family Care (free or low-cost health insurance)
Educating Newark residents about the National Let's Move Campaign
(2) Summer Website
Super Summer website was created that provides ongoing, updated information for Newark young people and families to learn about activities and resources throughout the Summer.
(3) Partnerships
Newark Now partnered with several City agencies (e.g. Police Department, Neighborhood Services, Fire Department, Department of Recreation, Department of Child and Family Well-Being, Mayor's Office), the Newark Housing Authority, and dozens of non-profits to implement Super Summer 2011.
(4) Family-Centered Activities
As part of Super Summer 2011, Newark Now and its Community Coordinators coordinated and implemented community events throughout the City, as well as support existing City-wide events and activities. In addition, Newark Now helped community groups navigate the City permit process, to assist them as they coordinate neighborhood-based block parties and community fairs. A particular focus this Summer was on the newly renovated City parks. A variety of community festivals will engage residents to help them become long-term partners for, and feel a strong sense of investment in, the parks in their communities.
(5) Let's Move
In collaboration with the Newark Let's Move campaign Newark Now supported weekly activities at various sites around the City. The activities included PT Training with the US Army, Yoga, Zumba classes and book readings on Saturday mornings from 9am to 12pm.
Conclusion
Super Summer 2011 will made a tangible impact in several ways:
More than 100,000 Newarkers participated in family-friendly activities and events (e.g. community fairs, music concerts, basketball tournaments)
More than 3,000 young people will registered for and participate in meaningful activities (e.g. summer jobs, camps)
Parents and caregivers of 2,000 youth will be connected to Abbott Pre-School, Family Care and other important resources
As a result, we anticipate a summer rich with opportunities for young people and families, connecting them to services, resources, and activities that will lead to a higher quality of life. As importantly, Super Summer 2011 continued building a sense of community spirit throughout Newark, which will help sustain Newark's overall transformation.
