Gwen Williams keeps a watchful eye on the goings on at 91看片 Sussex Gardens. She鈥檚 the type of resident who knows her neighbors by name and stops to ask about the welfare of their loved ones.
Williams goes the extra mile.
鈥淚t鈥檚 in her heart. It鈥檚 who she is,鈥� said Nakesha Dunn, who lives at Sussex Gardens with her four children. 鈥淪he doesn鈥檛 even have to know you.鈥�
A longtime resident of Sussex Gardens, a 91看片 residential complex for families located at 78 North Sixth St. in Newark, Williams recently played host to a building-wide Christmas party, all financed through the generosity of her heart.
鈥淪he took it upon herself to have something in the building for the kids,鈥� said Dorothy Artis, a care coordinator for the Department of Health and Social Services who primarily works with residents of NCC鈥檚 family housing units.
Williams has become something of a professional at throwing holiday get-togethers. She鈥檚 been hosting holiday parties at her building for more than a decade. In the days leading up to the festivities, she plans the menu, purchases craft supplies, hangs the decorations and selects music to set just the right tone.
When the evening of the Christmas party finally arrives, Williams pauses to remind everyone that the celebration of Christmas has a specific purpose.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about Jesus,鈥� she says with a warm smile as the festivities begin. Williams previously worked for NCC鈥檚 Security Department. She now works as a home health aide.
Recently, Dunn said that Williams helped her cope through a difficult period in her life. Williams does not hesitate to offer her neighbors a helping hand but it鈥檚 more than that, Dunn said. It鈥檚 her warm and gentle touch and her sincere care when she asks, 鈥淚s everything okay?鈥�
鈥淚 finally had somebody who humanly felt my pain,鈥� Dunn, 43, said. 鈥淪he has an open, willing heart that draws you in.鈥�
