Derek White – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Security Officer Administers Narcan to Men in Need

Michelle Lang — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:15:24 +0000

91��Ƭ Security personnel protect the organization’s property, residents and clients. But they sometimes go beyond that scope to help those in need. Security Officer Satoya Williams recently administered Narcan, a drug used to reverse an opioid overdose, to three men in the parking lot of an NCC residence while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Williams was on duty at Commons Senior, 140 South Orange Ave., Newark, on Nov. 17 when a resident informed her that two men were lying on the ground in the building’s parking lot. Her first instinct was to bring Narcan with her when she went outside to investigate.

“One of the guys was completely out and the other one was going down so I knew it was something related to them being high,” Williams said.

She notified the Security Base Station to call for paramedics and administered Narcan to the unconscious man. She spoke with the other man.

“I asked him, ‘Can I please give you this to avoid you passing out?’ At first, he was saying no, but when he saw that he couldn’t stand up, he was like, ‘Give it to me,’” Williams said.

She administered Narcan to him as well. She located a third man between two cars shortly before paramedics arrived.

None of the men were 91��Ƭ residents, but Williams said that didn’t matter.

“If they’re on our property, we are the first responders before anyone else gets there,” she said.

Williams had never administered Narcan before but followed the instructions on the box.

91��Ƭ Security Operations Manager Derek White praised Williams for her actions.

“Officer Williams’ quick thinking and decision-making in administering Narcan to the men not only saved lives, but it demonstrates the dedication and preparedness that our Security team strives for,” White said. “She is a valuable asset to our department and deserves to be commended for her heroism.”

Williams said she didn’t take action that day to receive accolades.

“I don’t care about recognition for it,” she said. “I did it because they were human and it was the right thing to do.”

She said everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves help and has families that love them.

“My father was on drugs and I would’ve wanted someone to do everything in their power to help him if he needed that help before he passed away,” she said.

Williams hopes the incident at Commons Senior raises awareness about Narcan and that her fellow Security officers know that it’s available to them as a resource and understand the importance of using it when necessary.

Longtime Security Personnel Reflect on Time at 91��Ƭ

Michelle Lang — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:49:20 +0000

It’s rare for an individual to stay with a particular company for decades, but there are five members of 91��Ƭ’s Security Department who have worked for the organization for 30 years or more. Jerome Barrow, William Folsom, Michelle Grier-Porch, Malinda Liptrot and Gerard Mansare have more than 165 years of service to 91��Ƭ combined.

Folsom has the longest tenure with 91��Ƭ. He will celebrate 40 years as a security officer in August. He has worked mainly in the organization’s residential buildings, with Hudson Senior in Jersey City currently serving as his main post. He started his NCC career at Extended Care where he met his wife who was working in the facility’s kitchen. The couple will celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary in August.

He enjoys his work and doesn’t have plans to leave.

“I could retire now but I’m just not ready to sit back yet,” Folsom said. “I like being around different people.”

Grier-Porch greets visitors at the 91��Ƭ Health Care Building, which houses , , the Family Resource Success Center, Family Service Bureau of Newark (FSB) and Supportive Assistance to Individuals and Families (SAIF). She has worked at 91��Ƭ for nearly 34 years as a security officer, serving in residential buildings and , which used to fall under NCC, in addition to her current post.

She plans to stay at 91��Ƭ until retirement.

“I love my job. I love working with the people that I work with,” Grier-Porch said. “91��Ƭ’s a good place to be.”

Mansare will reach 30 years at 91��Ƭ in August. He first learned about 91��Ƭ from NCC’s late founder Monsignor William J. Linder, who was serving as the pastor at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark. Mansare is a very traditional Catholic and was searching for a church after coming to the United States from Guinea in West Africa. He found St. Rose of Lima and became close with Monsignor Linder who encouraged him to continue his education and told him about the security positions available at 91��Ƭ.

Monsignor Linder connected Mansare to lawyers to help him bring his fiance to the United States. He wed the couple and baptized each of their three children. Mansare’s connection to Monsignor Linder and his coworkers has kept him at the organization.

“I love 91��Ƭ,” he said. “It’s like a family.”

Security Sgt. Barrow has worked at 91��Ƭ for about 30 years. He left the organization for a time to deal with family issues but decided to return.

“I came back because I love 91��Ƭ,” he said. “I loved the job I was doing.”

Barrow first came to 91��Ƭ as a security officer in 1979, shortly after the organization had finished construction on many of its residential buildings. He has worked at a variety of sites and all shifts and was promoted to supervisor. He now supervises the 4 p.m. to midnight shift, ensuring the safety and security of residents, staff members and 91��Ƭ property.

Security Operations Manager Derek White is proud of the longtime personnel on his staff.

“They are all an asset to NCC and continue to help residents improve the quality of their lives,” he said. “I’d like to personally thank them for all they have done and continue to do. Their contributions are an important part of our continued success.”

The group of longtime employees has seen many changes over the years, including the expansion of buildings and services. Folsom remembers the creation of Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, as well as the opening of the Health Care Building. The group also saw residential buildings go up and the rehabilitation of properties.

Commitment to 91��Ƭ’s mission, a desire to help others and a sense of camaraderie has kept the longtime members of the Security Department at the organization.

“In the Security Department, we all stick together to try to make everything better than before,” Barrow said. “You learn from your mistakes, build from your mistakes and you move on.”

While some are nearing retirement, they’re happy to come to work each day.

“Anybody that comes in that needs help, 91��Ƭ is there,” Grier-Porch said. “I’m glad that we can be of help to them.”

Retired Member of Newark Police Department Now 91��Ƭ Security Operations Manager

Michelle Lang — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:43:11 +0000

91��Ƭ’s Security Department has a new person at the helm. Derek White joined the NCC family as the Security Operations Manager on June 1. White was a longtime member of the Newark Police Department, retiring after about 31 years of service, and he also has experience supervising unarmed security guards for a company in New York.

“We are very happy to have Derek White join 91��Ƭ as the new Security Operations Manager,” said 91��Ƭ Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter. “Derek is a retired lieutenant from the Newark Police Department and brings his vast knowledge of law enforcement and public safety.”

During his tenure with the Newark Police Department, White worked in several investigative units, including robbery squad, the sexual assault unit and internal affairs. He also worked patrol, the taxi unit and the executive protection unit. After retiring from the department, he made the move to a security company in New York as a supervisor.

White applied to the position with 91��Ƭ to bring him closer to home. He hopes to make a difference in his new role.

“My intentions are just to use my knowledge and the experience that I’ve gotten from the police department and from life in general and try to make some type of impact as far as making things safer and also continuing what my predecessor started,” he said. “My goal is to just keep the positivity going.”

White has a long history in Newark, both personally and professionally. His grandfather came to Newark in the 1950s and operated a cleaners business in the city, his father served as a Newark police officer for 26 years, his mother taught in Newark for 28 years and his sister is currently a teacher for the Newark Public Schools.

White was born in East Orange and lived in Newark until he was in first grade. His parents then moved to Plainfield, where he attended elementary school and junior high school. He graduated from Seton Hall Prep for high school and attended a couple of years of college, but wasn’t excelling. His father gave him the application for the police exam and encouraged him to pursue a career in law enforcement, which he did.

He started the police academy in October 1989 and finished in March 1990. He officially retired from the Newark Police Department in February 2020.

White is currently a Newark resident and has been in the same home since 1996. He is familiar with 91��Ƭ from his time in the city and working in the police department. His mother’s aunt also lived at Gardens Senior for a time.

In his spare time, White likes to travel, ride his bicycle and go to the gym. He has a son and a stepdaughter.