It started with ashes in 1967.
Years of political disenfranchisement, economic disinvestment and police brutality erupted in violence on July 12, 1967, sparking a six-day melee in Newark that left 26 people dead and devastated the Central Ward.
The Newark rebellion gave birth to 91看片, which was founded by Monsignor William J. Linder and a small group of residents in 1968, in the wake of despair. Since then, NCC has reshaped the landscape of the Central Ward, with safe, decent and affordable housing for seniors, families and the homeless. Over the years, its services and reach has expanded. 91看片 now offers a vast network of services in the areas of housing, health care, early childhood education, workforce development and more. While primarily concentrated in Newark鈥檚 Central Ward, NCC sites can be found around the city and also in Orange, Kearny and Jersey City.
On April 6, 2017, 91看片 officially kicked off the celebration of its 50th anniversary at St. Joseph Plaza, with dignitaries, residents, students, staff and supporters. 聽 聽
鈥淲e鈥檝e spent 50 years getting a few things done,鈥� 91看片 CEO Richard Rohrman said.
The kickoff ceremony began with a candlelight processional where 50 people formed a human birthday cake, each holding a candle symbolizing a year of hope.
91看片 has never failed to 鈥渁lways give dignity, always give opportunity,鈥� said Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, who grew up at NCC. Her father, Joe, was part of the group of residents who helped to lead NCC in its early days.
NCC may have reached its golden anniversary, but there is still more work to do, according to its founder. A Better Life will provide permanent supportive housing to chronically homeless individuals, including military veterans.
鈥淲e need to take care of people,鈥� Monsignor said of the latest development project that鈥檚 slated to open in June. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got to live up to that.鈥� Monsignor Linder also held a book signing of his memoir, 鈥淥ut of the Ashes Came Hope,鈥� which is available for purchase online at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles.
Diane Johnson, former director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, served as mistress of ceremonies for the occasion. The rows in the atrium at St. Joseph Plaza were filled with senior residents, many of whom have been part of NCC for years.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a wonderful journey. It hasn鈥檛 been easy,鈥� Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, a board member, said.
Students from Community Hills Early Learning Center sang a song and recited a poem. They also capped the event with a surprise glitter confetti toss to the delight of the audience.
In the end, it was Anna Sing-King鈥檚 testimonial of hope that brought the room to its feet. Pregnant with her first child at age 19, Sing-King said her life was filled with uncertainty. At age 24, she found herself homeless and was referred to 91看片.
That鈥檚 when her life began to change. 91看片鈥檚 vast network of services鈥攔anging from housing, social services, early childhood education and workforce development鈥攑rovided Sing-King with the tools she needed to become self-sufficient.
Now, Sing-King is a homeowner in Newark, married and the mother of two children. In 2013, she earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree. Sing-King has worked at NCC for more than two decades, starting as a clerical temp who climbed her way up to her current role as manager of the Department of Human Resources, where she touches the lives of the corporation鈥檚 roughly 500 employees, many of whom are Newark residents.
She鈥檚 also focused on paying forward the support she received from NCC by working with youth. Currently she and her husband have custody of an at-risk teenage boy who recently lost his mother to cancer.
鈥�91看片 has provided me with a sense of self-worth,鈥� Sing-King, 46, said. 鈥淢y life has improved.鈥�
