East Orange/Orange, NJ - The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children celebrated St. Patrick's Day early at the second annual Irish American Leadership Breakfast and raised $114,214 for its partial tuition assistance scholarships — which benefits underprivileged students attending Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools. It also honored two local Irish American leaders for their longtime commitment to helping children.
A number of students from Orange and East Orange and those who attend St. Joseph School in East Orange have benefited greatly from this scholarship fund.
Nearly 120 attendees attended the breakfast to dine on a feast of cultural delicacies, including soda bread, Irish butter, and blood sausage. While eating, the guests enjoyed music from bagpiper Kevin Kavanaugh and fiddler Tiffany Weiss of 7th House Strings. Members of the Emerald Isle Academy of Dance also performed a lively step dance that got the audience clapping and dancing in their seats.
It all culminated in the recognition of two proud Irish Americans for their longtime commitment to helping children: Karen Clark, the executive director of the Archdiocese’s Department for the Protection of the Faithful, and John P. Callahan, a longtime SFIC board member.
“Karen and John are two unsung heroes for all they do to improve children’s lives, so we were happy to honor them,” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, the SFIC’s chief executive officer.
The SFIC will next hold its annual gala on May 8 in West Orange’s Pleasantdale Chateau. It is also planning its yearly Family Fun Day, which gives scholarship recipients the opportunity to enjoy a free day at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. For more information on the SFIC and its activities, visit www.sficnj.org.
About the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children
Founded in 1983 as the Fund for Educational Advancement, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) is a non-profit organization that provides children in need with the opportunity for a quality, values-based education in a safe environment. It offers partial-tuition assistance for students from economically disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds attending private and parochial schools within Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Scholarships are based on need without regard to religion, gender, race, or ethnic background. To date, SFIC has provided $53.5 million in partial-tuition assistance. Applicant families must be ready to provide proof of income and intend to attend one of the schools within the four counties it serves.
About the Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. It includes 212 parishes, 73 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.
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East Orange, NJ: The City of East Orange’s Department of Health and Human Services partnered with Rutgers’ Cancer Institute of Health at University Hospital to host Mobile Mammogram Screenings on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22 between 9am-4pm.
“Our Department of Health and Human Services plays a critical role in ensuring the overall health and well-being of our community, especially among the underserved,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “Through great community partners like University Hospital, we are able to maximize our outreach and reach people where they are.”
To be eligible:
Registration is required and ends on Tuesday, March 19. There is no prescription needed and both insured and uninsured are accepted.
Health Officer Dr. Gina Miranda-Diaz said "the mobile program is an opportunity to reduce disparities among women of color and eliminate barriers that may prevent women from getting regular mammogram screenings."
The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. states that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
“The disparities among women of color with breast cancer are complex, and the outcomes are significantly poor compared to others,” said Dr. Miranda-Diaz. “We know early detection saves lives and screening is the first step in early detection.”
For more than 25 years, the mobile unit – equipped with state-of-the-art 3D imaging and an expert team of clinicians –has been providing preventative healthcare services to women in the greater Essex County community, where diagnoses of late-stage breast cancer are among the highest in the State of New Jersey.
Future dates will be announced as the Mobile Mammogram will conduct a “ward tour” of the 5 wards of East Orange in the upcoming months. Please visit tinyurl.com/MobileMammEO to sign up. For any questions, please call 732.266.5463, text 862.233.3061 or email dhhsinfo@eastorange-nj.gov.
]]>Orange, NJ – Reverend Thurselle C. Williams, Executive Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange prepared the atmosphere as she gave the invocation to a standing room only crowd for the spirited celebration.
Everyone gathered to celebrate this year's honorees, who collectively represent the best and brightest students we have in Essex County. The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Students Achieving Today – Our Leaders of Tomorrow.”
Orange resident and Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology student, Magwrantz Lubin was one of the four honorees who received the 2024 Althea Gibson Leadership Award during Essex County's Annual Women’s History Month Program this afternoon. Awards were also presented to students Jaylene Cruz from the Essex County Donald Payne, Sr. School of Technology, Maya Ratzan from Essex County Newark Tech School of Technology and Samirah Scantling from Essex County College.
“Through their academic achievements and contributions to their local communities, these remarkable young women are on the road to success. Each is unique in their own way, having a profound impact on their schools. Striving for their goals and never letting anything stop them is part of what has driven them to reach the level of success that they have achieved thus far in their lives,” DiVincenzo said. “These young women have made tremendous contributions and are establishing themselves as leaders of our future generations,” he added.
Magwrantz Lubin is a senior at Essex County West Caldwell Tech. Born to immigrant parents who instilled in her the values of hard work and commitment, she embodies these qualities daily in all aspects of her life. As a young person, she had not yet realized her potential and after a traumatizing event occurred within her family, she used that as a catalyst to change her life’s trajectory. She immediately improved her grades from a ‘C’ student to an ‘A’ student and applied and was accepted to West Caldwell Tech. She made the Varsity volleyball team as a freshman without previous experience and made 2nd Team All-Conference her sophomore year. She also joined the Bowling and Softball teams, and she won the Most Valuable Player Award for Softball Junior year. She achieved athletically, while maintaining straight A’s in AP courses and a 4.9 Grade Point Average. As a sophomore, she was inducted into the national honor society and has consistently upheld the values of leadership, community service and character. As a member of DECA, she has won regional competitions and serves as an empowering voice within the school as Co-President of the Black Student Union. In addition to maintaining high academic standards, while successfully balancing her leadership roles and extra-curricular activities, distributing socks to homeless individuals and food to seniors in marginalized communities, she still finds time to help her sister who has down syndrome, learn to express herself, and she is hoping to get guardianship of her paralyzed older brother to help him obtain better treatment.
"My mother is the reason why I am here today. As an immigrant from Haiti, she has shown me what is means to be a woman and how to be courageous and strong. As a single mother she has had many challenges come her way, but it never stopped her. She is the reason my sister and I have a leg to stand on in times of need," Lubin said.
She has accomplished a lot thus far, and she is forever grateful for the Questbridge program and Colgate University for helping her to attend a great institution to start her Pre-Med journey without the amount of financial debt many who attend college could have. Her goal is to become an OBGYN. However, she says "my purpose is to give back to her community by hopefully opening a non-profit for deaf, single mothers from low-income communities and those who are physically and mentally impaired." She says her childhood trauma is a scar that has taught her to embrace her confidence and that there is nothing she cannot achieve.
"The grind as a woman has never stopped and it never will. I hope to have all of your support when I open my non-profit because I can't wait to give back to my community in that way," she added.
Magrantz also extended gratitude to County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Superintendent Dr. James Pedersen, and school leaders Principal Ayisha Ingram-Robinson and Vice Principal Ali Reza Aryakia.
The Annual Essex County Althea Gibson Leadership Awards are dedicated to the memory of the late professional tennis and golf legend, who was the first African-American to win the Wimbledon Tennis and U.S. Golf Championships. In 1957, Ms. Gibson became the first African-American to win the All-England Championship. That same year she became the first black to be voted by the Associated Press as its Female Athlete of the Year. The Althea Gibson Foundation exposes children in the inner city to the game of tennis and golf, and provides recreational activities for students during the summer.
The Women’s History Month Celebration is part of a year-long cultural series created by County Executive DiVincenzo to highlight the diversity and various ethnic groups in Essex County. Other cultural celebrations are African American Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Jewish Heritage, Latino Heritage and Portuguese Heritage.
]]>East Orange, NJ- Former East Orange Police Officer Devin L. Higgs was convicted by an Essex County jury of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child for physically abusing his then nine-year-old son.
On February 15, 2018, Higgs, 53, of West Orange, brought his son to the hospital for injuries that he said were from a fall. However, the doctors that were treating the young boy found that he had 22 fractures to his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, among other injuries, according to Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Saraiva. The child also had bruises, scars, and marks on his body, indicative of child abuse.
Neither Higgs nor his son had explanations for his injuries, other than vague statements about a fall. The child battled a severe infection and recovered from his broken bones during a six-week hospital stay. During that time, the boy eventually told the medical staff that his father hit him at home and he was infact the cause for his injuries. He didn’t tell anyone sooner, the child said, because his dad told him not to discuss “family business.”
On March 1, 2024, after 9a four-day trial before Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre, the jury found Higgs guilty of two counts of second degree aggravated assault for causing serious bodily, one disorderly persons offense of simple assault for causing a head injury, four counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of second degree hindering apprehension, and one count of second degree official misconduct.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 12, 2024, and at that time Higgs will face up to 80 years in New Jersey State Prison.
“We would like to thank the victim for his tremendous bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case,” said Mona. “We are also grateful to the medical providers at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital who discovered the abuse, as well as the team at Robert Wood Johnson Children’s Hospital who provided the boy with life-saving care and treatment.”
Saraiva said the jury returned a just verdict that will provide closure for the victim, “and which we hope sends a message that encourages victims of abuse to come forward and alerts perpetrators to the fact that they will be held responsible for their criminal conduct.”
]]>Orange, NJ - A fire at South Orange Towers located at 749 Scotland Road in Orange was confirmed by the Orange Fire Department on Sunday, March 10th at 9:53 p.m.
Upon arrival on scene, an apartment on the second floor was engulfed in flames and other parts of the building were covered with smoke.
Firefighters got the fire under control in less than an hour. No life-threatening injuries or deaths were reported as a result of this building fire, just smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is still unknown and is currently under investigation.
]]>ORANGE, NJ – Orange High School engineering students Lesly Morales, Adrian Morgan, Eduardo Marca, Dylan Lemus, Joel Guallpa, and Alfonso Wilson participated in the 2024 David Good 3D Printed Bridge Competition at the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Friday, March 8th. Students were tasked with creating an original design with strict parameters and constraints over several months. The Orange Tornadoes took home First Place in the "Stiffest Bridge" structural category, with their 3D printed PLA plastic bridge holding over 190 lbs while maintaining the best rigidity of the day!
With their teacher, Mrs. Sonya Nikolaidis Noebles, students adhered to the engineering design process, simulating different bridge designs, creating sketches and 3D modeling their ideas using CAD software. Finally, they brought their finalized design to life using in-district 3D printers. Teams were judged on their presentations, esthetics, assembly, and structure.
The 3D Printed Bridge Competition recognizes the significance of creative thinking in engineering. Each year, the competition cultivates innovation that allows teams to develop and test their skills. The annual 3D Printed Bridge Competition strives to promote the use of 3D printing technology in the field of engineering.
This competition provided students with an opportunity to become familiar with the process of being presented with a problem statement, identifying a feasible solution, and physically creating their design. Throughout the competition, students exhibited teamwork, organization, analytical skills, and creativity. Teams were expected to consist of individuals with the necessary skill sets, including structural, computer, and design expertise.
Orange students competed against 13 other schools, including:
David Good 3D Printed Bridge Competition
David had an incredible impact on not only the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NJIT, but on everyone he encountered. He was the visionary behind NJIT’s 3D Printed Bridge Competition, both the collegiate and high school divisions, which took place in November 2021 at NJIT’s Makerspace. It made history as both the first intercollegiate and the first intermural 3D printed bridge competition on record. Dave championed this idea with CEE’s Industrial Advisory Board and contributed to every stage of the planning and execution, including the competition rules, the bridge testing procedure, promotion of the competition and judging. The collegiate competition is now being piloted as an ASCE student competition to explore its viability as a national competition to complement classic events, such as steel bridge and concrete canoe.
]]>East Orange, NJ- Students at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Metropolitan Campus, located in Teaneck, NJ have been named to the Dean's List and the Honors List for the Fall 2023 semester. Six scholars from East Orange received recognition on either the Dean’s List or the Honors List for Fall 2023 semester.
To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must carry a 3.2 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).
To qualify for the Honors List, a student must carry a 3.5 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).
The University's Metropolitan Campus, located in the dynamic NY/NJ corridor in Teaneck, NJ, features a university atmosphere with an international perspective, attracting students from the U.S. and around the world. Undergraduates have access to the resources of a major graduate center and nearby New York City as an integral part of their learning experience.
Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey's largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information, go to www.fdu.edu.
]]>East Orange, NJ - East Orange-based company, F&A Transportation, Inc. and one of its owners pleaded guilty after they hired unqualified drivers, operating unsafe buses, failure to perform background checks and drug tests, and attempting to conceal their misconduct, announced Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
Ahmed Mahgoub, 65, of East Hanover, New Jersey, along with his company, F&A Transportation, entered guilty pleas during a hearing before Judge Mark Ali, the Essex County Criminal Division Presiding Judge, on March 6, 2024.
“My office is committed to ensuring that contractors who parents and school districts entrust with the lives of children take that responsibility seriously, and abide by the rules designed to keep students in their care safe,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We will vigorously prosecute those who cut corners and put children in unnecessary danger to increase their profits.”
In addition to being unqualified to drive school buses because of licensing requirements, several bus drivers for F&A Transportation, Inc., had criminal histories that disqualified them for the job. It was also noted that, on at least one occasion, an F&A driver drove a bus carrying children while intoxicated and crashed.
Mahgoub and the business pleaded guilty to false representation for a government contract (2nd degree). Sentencing is scheduled for June 28, 2024. F&A co-owner Faiza Ibrahim, 50, also of East Hanover, will be entering the pretrial intervention program on that date on a charge of tampering with public records or information (3rd degree).
Under the terms of a plea agreement, the state will recommend at sentencing that Mahgoub serve five years in state prison. Ibrahim has agreed to enter into pretrial intervention for three years, during which she will be supervised by a probation officer.
Additionally, under the plea deal with OPIA, the defendants are expected to pay a combined $575,000 in corruption profiteering penalties, and they have agreed to be barred from doing business with the State of New Jersey or any of its administrative or political subdivisions for a decade.
“There are requirements in place designed to require school bus drivers to meet certain basic, commonsense standards and to prevent potentially tragic traffic incidents,” said Thomas Eicher, Executive Director of OPIA. “Those who violate the law by using unqualified drivers and commit fraud to circumvent the rules will be held accountable.”
The defendants were indicted in August 2021 on various charges following an investigation by OPIA and the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau. Their criminal conduct related to contracts F&A secured from 2016 through 2020 with public school districts in Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Union counties. Those contracts had an aggregate value of approximately $3.5 million.
The investigation revealed the defendants knowingly hired drivers who did not hold valid commercial driver’s licenses or required license endorsements, as well as drivers who had criminal histories, known substance abuse problems, and suspended licenses. They hire drivers before completion of criminal background checks or, in some instances, without any criminal background check at all.
The investigation further found that the business owners falsified vehicle inspection forms to indicate their buses consistently passed required pre- and post-trip company inspections. Those forms must be maintained for review by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and are relied upon by school districts as proof of bus safety.
Despite the defendants’ indications that their buses consistently passed company inspections, in February and August 2019, the MVC inspected F&A’s buses — and nearly all the company’s buses failed on both occasions.
Deputy Attorney General Frank Valdinoto accepted the pleas for OPIA, under the supervision of Corruption Bureau Deputy Chief Jeffrey Manis, OPIA Deputy Director Anthony Picione, and OPIA Executive Director Eicher.
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East Orange, NJ - East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green first introduced his Homeless Initiative in 2020, to address the issue of chronic homelessness in the City of East Orange, and now, four years later, wants to expand the initiative to be more effective.
The initiative, which is spearheaded under the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services, aims to provide assistance to individuals and families who are at imminent risk of homelessness due to an eviction summons, those already living on the streets or in emergency shelters, and those who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or any other dangerous or life-threatening condition that relates to violence against them or their family members.
“We believe that every member of our community deserves to live in safe, quality housing. Our emphasis this year is to strengthen our resources and cross-collaborative partnerships to help any individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness immediately get on a path toward self-sufficiency and stability,” said Mayor Green.
"I want to commend our Mayor for rolling up his sleeves and being committed to doing the work and tackling issues within our communities that many people often shy away from or attempt to sweep under the rug," said Councilman Christopher Awe. "We are only as good as our most vulnerable residents, so it is a godsend that we are now initiating this program," he added.
"As we officially launch this very important program, there are some basic needs we all need to survive; food, water, clothing, sleep and last but not least, shelter. The absence of shelter presents a hardship to survival," said Health and Human Services Director Horace Henry. "Because of that, we will do everything in our power to ensure that this Homeless Initiative program is a success, so all residents of East Orange can have the quality of life they deserve," he added.
"The Mayor's targeted population for this program includes individuals and families who are at an immediate risk of homelessness due to eviction summons, those already living on the streets, and those who are experiencing domestic violence who need assistance with relocation," said Homeless Initiative Manager Keyron Blakely. "I will serve as the manager of the team, which has been established with the aim of addressing urgent issues that affect one of the most vulnerable members of our society, those without addresses," he added.
]]>Orange, NJ - Cleveland Street School Principal, Mr. Robert Pettit announced that they would be implementing the 'Principal of the Day' Initiative in 2024. The second honoree was Jayden Garcia, an outstanding 4th-grader at the school. He took the reign from Principal Pettit and became the February 'Principal for a Day'.
Having students serve as principal for the day has numerous benefits. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see what it's like to be a school administrator and learn about leadership. It also fosters a sense of responsibility and leadership at a young age.
Jayden Garica was entrusted with several of the duties of a principal, such as making announcements and leading activities. He learned firsthand the importance of authority and decision-making.
School officials said, "being principal for the day gave a boost to Jayden's confidence and self-esteem. It provided him with a platform to voice his opinions and ideas, as well as an opportunity to interact with his peers and teachers in a different capacity. This experience instilled a sense of empowerment and pride in his abilities."
"Overall, allowing our students to be principal for the day is not only a fun and memorable experience, but also a valuable educational opportunity that can positively impact their personal and academic development, and it certainly did that for Jayden," said Pettit.
]]>East Orange, NJ- Students at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus, located in Madison, NJ have been named to the Dean's List and the Honors List for the Fall 2023 semester. Six scholars from East Orange received recognition on either the Dean’s List or the Honors List for Fall 2023 semester.
To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must carry a 3.2 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).
To qualify for the Honors List, a student must carry a 3.5 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).
FDU's Florham Campus is located on the former Vanderbilt-Twombly estate in suburban Morris County. Its focus is on providing outstanding on-campus and residential living opportunities, hands-on-learning experiences, strong graduate and professional school preparation, and customized educational options, all framed by a global perspective.
Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey's largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information, go to www.fdu.edu.
]]>East Orange, NJ - New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III announced that New Jersey is one of the 35 states that will be participating in the USDA’s new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program to provide more food availability to children and families in need during the summer months, beginning this year.
States will provide families with $120 per eligible child for the summer to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, or other authorized retailers – similar to how SNAP benefits are used. According to USDA estimates, New Jersey will have well over 500,000 children eligible for Summer EBT for a total distribution of nearly $65 million in federal food security benefits.
“The addition of Summer EBT will provide another opportunity for children and families in need to purchase healthy and nutritious food during the summer months when school lunch programs are not available,” Assistant Secretary Atchison said. “No child or family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. This is an important step in bridging food security gaps for all New Jersey families.”
This new program is made possible by Federal and State cost-sharing, with some additional funding provided by the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) through the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“By committing to launch Summer EBT this summer, New Jersey continues to show its dedication to ensuring food security for as many families as possible,” Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate Mark Dinglasan said. “New Jersey is unique in that it is combining the collaborative efforts of the Departments of Agriculture, Human Services, and Education to launch Summer EBT with outreach efforts from key partners and stakeholders in NJ that ensure many parents and schools have the information they need to take advantage of this program. We are bringing partners together to ensure we can support our students in the summer, and it’s inspiring to be a part of these efforts.”
“The summer months can be difficult for families that rely on the nutritional support provided by the school lunch program," Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said. "The addition of Summer EBT will help ensure that families and children have access to healthy food so important to their health throughout the year. This administration continues to prioritize food security for all because regular access to healthy foods means healthier people and communities. I look forward to continuing our work with the Departments of Agriculture and Education to bridge the food gap and provide equitable access to nutritious food for New Jersey’s most vulnerable families.”
“New Jersey’s Summer EBT program is a significant step forward in our efforts to address food insecurity among children and families,” Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer said. “We know the crucial role that access to nutritious meals plays in a child’s ability to learn and grow – the nearly $65 million in benefits of this program will provide nutrition for over half a million students during the summer months, when children do not have access to school-based programs. The collaboration of agencies working together to ensure that every child has the essential nutrition they need to thrive demonstrates New Jersey’s commitment to this goal.”
Eligible students will be certified through their school districts, which must participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Eligible students must meet the income threshold for federal free and reduced-price meals, including those who attend schools that provide free meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additionally, students who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or foster care will be eligible for Summer EBT, regardless of where they attend school.
According to reports from U.S. News & World Report, schools in East Orange and Orange School Districts have more than half their population of students eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meal programs. In East Orange Public Schools, 51.1% of students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meal program and 3.7% of students are English language learners. Orange Board of Education School District, 55.2% of students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced price meal program and 11.6% of students are English language learners. The Summer EBT will be a tremendous resource for a large number of families in the City of East Orange and the City of Orange.
Information about New Jersey’s Summer EBT program, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found on the State’s newly created Summer EBT website at: https://www.nj.gov/summerebt/.
The USDA estimates that, in total, the states, U.S. territories, and tribes that have committed to launching the Summer EBT program in 2024 will serve close to 21 million children, providing a total of nearly $2.5 billion in grocery benefits. This is around 70 percent of the total population of children eligible for Summer EBT. The USDA expects additional states and tribes will provide Summer EBT in 2025.
“Summer grocery benefits are becoming a reality for many communities across the nation and for tens of millions of children who will receive the nutrition they need to grow, learn, and thrive,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We applaud all the leaders and partners who are stepping up to make the program’s inaugural year a success. Together we’re making progress in closing the summer hunger gap and ensuring children are nourished and healthy year-round.”
Rigorous evaluations of a multi-year demonstration project showed that providing Summer EBT cards to eligible students reduced child hunger and improved quality of diet. Summer grocery benefits decreased the number of kids with very low food security by about one-third and supported healthier diets featuring more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, States, certain Indian Tribal Organizations, and territories operated a temporary program similar to Summer EBT, which demonstrated the potential of expanding the program nationwide. Research found that this program decreased children’s food hardship by 33 percent after benefits were issued and lifted between 2.7 to 3.9 million children out of hunger. This new Summer EBT program builds off Pandemic EBT which provided $1.5 billion in federal food security benefits to NJ families from 2020-2023.
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East Orange, NJ - The Center for Politics and Race in America at Rutgers University-Newark was named in honor of East Orange's own, the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, the first Black woman in New Jersey to hold statewide office, at a ceremony attended by Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, Oliver’s family, members of the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association, and leaders from Johnson & Johnson.
"It is my privilege to join Rutgers University officials to honor my dear friend and mentor, the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver," said Lt. Governor Way. "Sheila was and remains the epitome of what a true public servant should be; dedicated, compassionate, and filled with integrity. As we gather to launch Rutgers University-Newark’s Center for Politics and Race in America in her honor, I know she is sure to touch the many young people who will continue to build on the legacy of her passionate work," added Way.
The ceremony opened with a tribute video that showcased an emotional Oliver, speaking after she was elected, declared: “This may not be the first glass ceiling I have broken, but it is certainly the highest. I hope that somewhere in this great state of New Jersey, a young girl of color is watching tonight and realizing that she does not have a limit to how high she can go.’
Based on the remarks often made by women of color, of all ages, professional backgrounds and walks of life, throughout the State of New Jersey, every woman of color was watching that night and has been inspired and many even mentored by the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, not just young girls. That is a true testament to how she truly served others, regardless of what position she held. Everyone knew that when Sheila Oliver had a seat at the table, we all had a seat at the table because she was going to represent the people every chance she got to do so.
An East Orange resident, Oliver was the first African American woman in New Jersey history to hold statewide office when she was elected as the state’s second Lt. Governor in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. In addition to her role as Lt. Governor, she also served as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, leading state efforts to strengthen and expand initiatives for fair and affordable housing, community revitalization, homelessness prevention, and local government services that support New Jersey’s 564 municipalities.
In 2010, Oliver became the first African American woman to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and only the second in our nation’s history to lead a state legislative house. She died while in office as Lt. Governor on Aug. 1, 2023.
Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor praised Oliver as a “shero.’’
The Center for Politics and Race in America, established last year with state funding, is a “fact tank” for research on the nation’s political life and a resource for underrepresented students seeking careers in government and public service.
A leading mission of the Center for Race and Politics in America, in addition to advancing research and political data analysis, is to diversify the field of young people who have access to opportunities in public service and politics, including internships on Capitol Hill, which often serve as stepping-stones to elected office and successful careers in the private sector.
According to 2021 research from Center Co-director James Jones, Black and Latino students comprise 15 and 20 percent of undergraduates, but just seven percent and eight percent of paid Hill interns. The center will prepare others to follow in Oliver’s footsteps.
"We proudly rename the Center of Politics and Race in America in honor of the late-Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, a trailblazer who fought tirelessly for justice and equality,’’ said James Jones, the center’s co-director. “Lt. Governor Oliver's legacy will continue to inspire our center as we expand access to public service as a profession and promote research and public policy that confronts systemic inequalities.’’
To that end, New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson announced at the ceremony that it had made a charitable donation to fund the Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver Leadership Scholarship, part of the center’s Public Service Leadership Program at Rutgers School of Arts & Sciences–Newark. The scholarship will provide four Rutgers-Newark students with stipends to participate in public service internships over the next five years. The initial application process will be established and opened in the first half of 2024 with the first scholars awarded this summer.
“Lt. Governor Oliver dedicated her life to public service and improving the lives of all New Jerseyans, especially those in underserved and marginalized communities. She was a trailblazer and continues to be an inspiration for so many,” said Vanessa Broadhurst, Johnson & Johnson’s Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs. “Johnson & Johnson is proud to honor Lt. Governor Oliver’s legacy of public service through the scholarship in her name to cultivate the next generation ‘Sheila Olivers’—well-rounded, passionate and driven public servants who represent the very best of New Jersey and the state’s rich diversity and culture.”
Johnson & Johnson has a long legacy of civil engagement within its home state throughout its 138-year history. The initiative highlights the company’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which fuel its pursuit to create a healthier, more equitable world.
“While our family still mourns the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, it brings us an immense amount of pride to see Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver’s legacy live on for centuries to come with the renaming of Rutgers University-Newark’s Center for Politics and Race in America, along with the Johnson & Johnson charitable donation to the Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver Leadership Scholarship,” said Renee Oliver, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver’s niece and President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association.
“Her vision and courage as a boundary-breaking leader were surpassed only by her compassion and her example as someone who fervently sought for our nation to live up to its promise. She embodied the principle of lifting as one climbs, which we saw time and again throughout her career as she engaged with our students, faculty, and staff to urge us forward in making educational opportunity a reality for all,’’ said Cantor. “I can think of no better enduring tribute to her at Rutgers-Newark than to name CPRA in her honor, and we couldn’t be more grateful to Johnson & Johnson for its investment in new generations of change makers to emulate her.”
"Lt. Governor Oliver's vision for political life was shaped by her experiences in Newark's public schools, her education at Lincoln University, a historically Black university, and Columbia University, an elite predominantly White university, and her work as an urban educator, as an activist and advocate. These are the settings and institutions that informed her understanding of the levers, power and possibilities of political engagement,'' said Jacqueline Mattis, co-director of the center and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences-Newark. "She understood the complex ways that race intersects with other social identities including gender, class, sexuality, immigration status to influence all people's life outcomes, the attitudes that we all hold about the world around us, and our relationships with structures of power. It is fitting that this inclusive, non-partisan center is named in her honor."
Gov. Phil Murphy, who was unable to attend the event, shared a statement. "My dear friend and partner in government, the late, great Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver was a trailblazer whose legacy lives on in many ways. I am proud to see it continue with this fitting tribute as the Rutgers University-Newark’s Center for Politics and Race in America is named in her honor,’’ he stated. "Sheila’s work in New Jersey, especially in her community, has left a lasting impact on many folks who hold careers in public service. She was a mentor and role model to many, and this new honor will ensure that the legacy of her work lives on and continues to inspire young people seeking to make positive change in our state, nation's capital, and beyond."
At the ceremony, New Jersey State Senators Teresa Ruiz and Britnee Timberlake read resolutions in honor of the center’s renaming and Johnson & Johnson’s gift.
“Aunt Sheila dedicated her heart and soul to her craft and serving those in need from all walks of life. On behalf of the entire Oliver Family, we truly believe that this fitting tribute will have a lasting impact on the next generation of public servants to come and that they will be inspired to invoke positive change in Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver’s honor," added Renee Oliver.
About the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America
The center is a resource that rapidly disseminates high-quality data and faculty scholarship on race and politics at the national and state level–with a particular focus on New Jersey–and a place for cutting-edge training in political research methods and data analysis. It also seeks to diversify the field of young people who have access to careers in government and public service through paid internships and other programs. It is co-directed by Rutgers-Newark professor James Jones, a professor of Sociology and Africana Studies and a leading authority on congressional staff diversity, and Jacqueline Mattis, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences-Newark. More information about the center can be found at https://sasn.rutgers.edu/cpra
About Rutgers University–Newark
Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) is a diverse, urban, public research university that is an anchor institution in New Jersey’s cultural capital. It is exceptionally well positioned to fulfill higher education’s promise as an engine of discovery, innovation, and social mobility. It has a remarkable legacy of producing high-impact scholarship that is connected to the great questions and challenges of the world. It is in and of a city and region where its work on local challenges undertaken with partners from many sectors resonates powerfully throughout our urbanizing world. Most importantly, RU-N brings an incredible diversity of people to this work - students, faculty, staff, and community partners making it more innovative, more creative, more engaging, and more relevant for our time and the times ahead.
About Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association
The Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association, is a private, non-profit, non-partisan charitable organization, committed to empowering underserved communities and educating and developing young women of color who are interested in government, public policy, and community organizing. Visit www.sheilaoliver.com for more information.
]]>East Orange/Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. highlighted improvements in East Orange and Orange during his 2024 State of the County Address at the Essex County Hospital Center on February 29th. The speech was an opportunity for the County Executive to share accomplishments of the past year and outline initiatives planned for the coming year.
“Essex is a government that is anticipating needs and always evolving. From newborns, to children, to families, to seniors – at every stage of life we are always there to help people. We are improving the landscape for today and tomorrow” was how DiVincenzo began his speech.
Prior to the speech, a short video highlighted the impact that Turtle Back Zoo, Watsessing Park, Independence Park, Branch Brook Park, South Mountain Recreation Complex and the Donald Payne School of Technology have on children and was narrated by children who have special connections to those places. In addition, a video message of congratulations from Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. was played.
He highlighted that the sound fiscal practices he has followed have enabled the ECUA to pay off $102 million of debt and be debt free, ECIA to reduce its debt in half, and for the County to pay off the $405 million for the Correctional Facility and retire all the $58 million of debt for our Hospital Center. “Our decisions will prevent future generations from being burdened,” he said.
DiVincenzo outlined a multitude of capital improvement projects that will be conducted this year. The list includes updating softball, baseball and soccer fields and tennis and paddleball courts, renovating the Parks Administration Building, modernizing Weequahic Golf Course and the two-mile rubberized walking path in Weequahic Park, completing construction of the new Bilal Beasley Community Center in Irvington Park and the new Sheriff Armando and Mary Fontoura Community Center in Independence Park, starting construction of the community center in Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange, NJ, and building the new Barry Ostrowsky Animal Welfare Center in Turtle Back Zoo and continuing the construction of the Essex County Wynona Lipman Family Courts Building in Newark.
“Modernizing facilities and opening new buildings are important, but naming them in honor of past leaders builds confidence, pride and passes their legacies onto the next generation,” DiVincenzo said. The Samuel Okparaeke Career Exploration & Technology Room was dedicated at the Essex County One-Stop Career Center located at 50 South Clinton Street in East Orange, NJ, to remember the former director who worked to empower and help others rejoin the workforce. Three bronze busts were added to the lobby of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Building to honor Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Thurgood Marshall and Civil Rights activist Rabbi Joachim Prinz. The County Executive added that a bronze bust of East Orange’s own, the late Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver will be dedicated in the spring.
Over the last six years, each of the Essex County Schools of Technology District’s have been modernized – Donald Payne School of Technology and Newark Tech in Newark and the West Caldwell School of Technology in West Caldwell. Students in the district also are excelling, taking classes at area colleges with some earning an Associate’s degree at the same time as their high school diploma. The Essex County College Satellite Campus also was redone with a new school building, soccer field and parking deck.
“Preparing for the future does not look the same for everyone. Our new continuing education and employment training program at our jail is helping to create lasting skills that can help inmates transition back into the community and workforce,” the County Executive said. He also spoke about a new initiative – the Restorative and Transformative Justice Hub Pilot Program – “to address the real issues that are negatively impacting the lives of our juveniles and hopefully keep them from ending up in our Juvenile Detention Center,” he added.
“Since the beginning, we have been laser focused on revitalizing our Parks System and providing recreation facilities that meet the changing needs of our residents,” he said. Among the many improvement projects were the opening of the Wally Choice Community Center in Glenfield Park in Montclair and the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branch Brook Park in Newark. The Ronald Rice Sport Complex in Vailsburg Park in Newark was opened with new football, baseball and softball fields and a running track and Francis Byrne Golf Course received a comprehensive update.
“These projects immediately transform our landscape. But they have long-term impacts that benefit the community by giving young people up-to-date, safe fields where they can play with their friends, learn the game and understand the importance of sportsmanship,” he added.
Turtle Back Zoo also enjoyed a historic year and set a new attendance record of almost 980,000 visitors. Another highlight was the opening of the new Island Giants Exhibit featuring alligators and Komodo dragons. This exhibit was named in honor of Commissioner Patricia Sebold for her support of the zoo and Parks System.
“We have press conferences, open new facilities and dedicated buildings. All of this would not be possible without our 3,600 employees, collaborative partners, constitutional officers and agency chiefs,” DiVincenzo said. “When I look in the faces of our children and grandchildren, I see our future. They are why we do what we do. And I want to make it better for them. Our vision for the future is always about Putting Essex County First!”
]]>East Orange, NJ - American International College (AIC) recognized student-athlete Fayeson Carney of East Orange, for his induction into the Athletic Director's 3.0 Club for the Fall 2023 semester.
In a ceremony held at the Butova Gymnasium on campus, Athletics Director, Jessica Chapin, honored Carney along with more than three hundred student-athletes who have achieved a commendable cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher during their tenure at AIC.
The primary objective for these students is to stand as academic role models, inspiring fellow student-athletes with their achievements and dedication! The substantial number of inductees is impressive and reflects the dedication of our student-athletes to both academic and athletic excellence.
Fayeson Carney graduated with his bachelor's in criminal science from American International College (AIC) in 2022. He is currently in AIC's graduate Forensic Psychology program and received this honor as a member of the 3.0 Club from the athletics director as a member of the College's football team.
About American International College
Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.
For more information about American International College (AIC) visit www.aic.edu.
]]>East Orange, NJ -
Emerson College announced the College's Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester and among those students being recognized is one of East Orange's own, Kendall Ramsay.
Ramsey was named to the College's Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester after meeting the requirement of a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.
Ramsay is majoring in Media Arts Production and is a member of the Class of 2026.
Emerson College, a nonprofit educational institution, draws independent minds from diverse backgrounds around the world through its highly regarded academic programs in communication, the arts, and the liberal arts.
Energized by engagement with the creative life of Boston, Los Angeles, and the Netherlands, our students are thinkers and doers who develop daring ideas and bring innovation, depth, and diversity to their disciplines.
To learn more about Emerson College, visit www.emerson.edu.
]]>East Orange, NJ - County officials confirmed that Essex County’s Code Blue procedures are being enacted because the temperature is forecasted to drop below 32 degrees. Essex County is extending its Code Blue protocols from Saturday, February 24th at 8 p.m. to Sunday, February 25th at 8 a.m.
“Providing our homeless residents with a warm place to stay during extreme weather conditions is important for their safety and well-being. We thank our participating shelters and warming stations who are working with us to open their doors in these times of need,” DiVincenzo said.
“Our homeless residents need a warm place to stay when winter weather gets this bad. The organizations opening their doors are providing a great service and helping us protect the safety of these vulnerable residents,” Fontoura said.
For residents in East Orange who are single men, Joi's Angels is providing warming station services, along with other sites throughout the County.
When a Code Blue is declared, a network of warming stations operated by the County and its municipalities and shelters operated by the community-based organizations will be opened. The warming stations identified include a variety of public libraries, senior centers, civic and community centers, school buildings, houses of worship, firehouses and first aid squad buildings. Warming stations are generally open during the day and may not provide overnight accommodation. However, shelters do provide overnight accommodation. In addition, shelters that regularly require occupants to leave during the day will suspend that practice, so people can stay indoors.
To find a full list of participating shelters, visit www.NJ211.org or dial 2-1-1.
]]>East Orange, NJ - East Orange's Faith Deschamps is one of seven Ohio Wesleyan University students who have earned 2023-2024 OWU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Grants to support projects that advance the OWU campus as an anti-racist space.
The competitive grants support policy and program analysis, curricular changes and course development, small-scale survey work, creative projects, or community conversations designed to produce evidence-based, actionable recommendations for change.
Faith Deschamps, a senior at OWU, is using her DEI Grant to present her current research, "Child Left Behind Syndrome: Imperialism's Impact on Transnational Family Dynamics" at three sociological conferences: the Eastern Sociological Society Conference, the Southern Sociological Society Conference, and the North Central Sociological Association Conference.
"Being able to present my research at more than one sociological conference is a huge honor and opportunity, and being able to see this happen will only cement my foothold and emerging presence in academic circles," said Deschamps, who aspires to become a college professor.
At OWU, she is a Black World Studies and Women's and Gender Studies double major and a Religion and Sociology-Anthropology double minor.
The complete list of the newest recipients of the competitive, university-funded DEI Grants and their projects can be found below:
Ohio Wesleyan's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant program is overseen by the university's Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It was launched in 2021 and includes both student and faculty-staff funding categories. The program is part of the university's larger Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan, which seeks to make the campus an actively anti-racist space.
Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan's DEI Grant program at www.owu.edu/DEIGrants.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature program, The OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to integrate knowledge across disciplines, build a diverse and global perspective, and apply knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at www.owu.edu/experts or learn more at www.owu.edu.
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