Federal Home Loan Bank of New York – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Federal Credit Union Facilitates COVID-19 Grants for Local Businesses

Michelle Lang — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 20:23:29 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on small businesses throughout the country. Assistance to those businesses has sometimes come in the form of grants. The 91��Ƭ Federal Credit Union (NCFCU), as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, participated in the COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant Program, helping local businesses apply for and get approval for grants.

“The NCFCU appreciates the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for allowing us to provide financial assistance to local small businesses in their time of need,” said NCFCU Director Mulu Gebreyesus.

One of those small businesses is Akwaaba Gallery, an art gallery located on South Orange Avenue in Newark’s West Ward. Laura Bonas Palmer runs Akwaaba Gallery, which she owns with husband Ray Palmer, Senior Property Manager of Manor Family for 91��Ƭ.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Akwaaba Gallery was forced to close as were many local businesses. The gallery had only been open for a little more than a year and did not qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Bonas Palmer heard about the possibility of a small business grant and contacted Gebreyesus to learn more. She submitted the necessary documentation and was approved for the grant.

The funding is for the operation of the gallery. Although Akwaaba Gallery closed to the public on March 16, Bonas Palmer explained that she set up a new show in the space and shared it with the public virtually. The virtual show was available online and showed photographs of the art on display on the gallery walls. People were able to browse the show online and purchase pieces as if they visited the gallery in person. Bonas Palmer said people are still buying art despite the current economic climate.

Akwaaba Gallery reopened July 22 with visitors required to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Hand sanitizer dispensers are also installed in the space. The virtual show is still up in the gallery for visitors to see in person. Bonas Palmer expects to hang the next show in September for an October opening. Visitors should RSVP for the October show to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

In addition to general operations, Bonas Palmer plans to use some of the grant money to help kickstart a reading and arts club for children in the neighborhood around Akwaaba Gallery, including those that are a part of NCC.

“My vision is to get the kids engaged in the arts and make them feel like what’s happening in Newark, what’s happening in the neighborhood is for them as well,” she said. “They’ll come in, they’ll see the art that’s on the walls. Maybe sometimes we might have artists come in and talk to them.”

She also plans to purchase books for the children to help them build their libraries and have individuals come and read to them periodically.

In addition to the grant NCFCU facilitated, Akwaaba Gallery also received a small arts-related grant from the City of Newark. Bonas Palmer plans to use some of that grant to help with the reading and arts club as well.

Bonas Palmer said she had the idea for an art gallery for nearly a decade before Akwaaba Gallery opened. She had contemplated purchasing a property in downtown Newark but ultimately decided on the current space in the West Ward.

“A lot of people questioned why I would even consider putting a gallery in the West Ward,” Bonas Palmer said. “My response to that has always been why not? Art is for everyone.”

That mindset permeates in the way Bonas Palmer runs Akwaaba Gallery. Akwaaba means welcome and Bonas Palmer always wants people to feel accepted in the space. There is no charge for visitors to enter the gallery and view the artwork. She encourages people of all ages to come inside.

The pandemic and forced closing of the gallery for four months has been difficult, but Bonas Palmer is grateful for the grant money the gallery has received and is optimistic about the future.

“It’s challenging, but I think it’s going to work itself out,” she said.

Gebreyesus is glad NCFCU has been able to help local small businesses like Akwaaba Gallery with the COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant Program.

“NCFCU is proud that we were able to assist a few local businesses in applying and getting approved for the grant up to $10,000,” she said.

91��Ƭ Hosts Grand Opening Of Housing Facility For The Chronically Homeless

Michelle Lang — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 20:38:46 +0000

NEWARK — 91��Ƭ hosted about 100 people Oct. 18 for the grand opening of its new supportive housing facility for the chronically homeless, which is also New Jersey’s first HUD Safe Haven model development.

Called A Better Life, the facility will house chronically homeless individuals, many who suffer from mental illness. They will live in studio apartments at 101 Fourteenth Ave. in Newark that include a private bathroom that is handicapped accessible and a kitchen area with a stovetop, microwave and refrigerator. A Better Life also has an engagement center, library, dining area, laundry room and common areas. Residents will have access to supportive services on site.

The grand opening was a culmination of six years of work. The $8 million project was the vision of 91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder.
At the grand opening, Linder said A Better Life is a beautiful facility for residents.

“One elected official said to me when we started 91��Ƭ that 91��Ƭ homes were too good for poor people. The housing should look poor. No, it shouldn’t look poor. It should look how much we love,” he said. “It’s a sign of our love, not their condition.”

CEO Richard Rohrman said throughout its 50 years, 91��Ƭ has always helped the most vulnerable and housing the chronically homeless is another piece of the puzzle.

“This is a group that requires our help. It requires much more than this. This can only just be the very beginning. The issue that we’re facing of homelessness is much larger than this,” Rohrman said. “We’re hoping that by doing this it can be replicated with more and more of this in the city and elsewhere.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said the county has more than 3,000 homeless people. “So that’s a very, very high number. Being part of the 91��Ƭ family and being part of this, people that are here will be involved in all the other programs and services that are offered so it’s giving them a second chance and that’s what we should be doing,” he said.

Congressman Donald Payne Jr. said he was delighted to lend his support. “It’s not radical to propose that everyone have a home,” he said. “Our veterans, our citizens are in need and it’s incumbent upon us to do everything we can to eradicate that need.”

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Community Investment Research and Outreach Specialist Brian Loeb said A Better Life meets people where they are to help them. “These 20 of the most vulnerable people in Newark are going to have a bed. And more than a bed, a place to call home,” he said.

Red Stone Equity Partners Managing Director of Acquisitions Richard Roberts said the solution to homelessness is simple. “It is supportive housing. It is the bricks and mortar with the services on site. Not around the corner, not down the block, not downtown,” he said. “And if we muster the resources and the political will to commit more money, time and energy to projects like this, a problem which harms so many people could be solved.”

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Executive Director Anthony Marchetta said the Christie and Obama administrations were involved in the completion of A Better Life. “We got half of the resources for this facility from the Sandy Special Needs Housing Trust Fund. That’s a combination of both the state and the federal government,” he said.

University Hospital’s emergency care system will refer individuals for placement at A Better Life. Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care will be providing 24/7 supervision and support for the residents.

Rosemarie Rosati, who recently retired as COO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and was heavily involved in the planning and completion of A Better Life, said, “This program represents the best types of services that I worked to develop over my 38-year career in mental health.”

She said the building has been specially designed to serve the chronically homeless. “The services are tailored to engage folks because it’s difficult to just move off the streets to a structured program,” she said.

Former director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Newark Field Office Diane Johnson served as the emcee of the grand opening. She talked about the many offerings of 91��Ƭ, including two early childhood learning centers; education and youth services; the Adult Learning Center; Workforce Development Center; 91��Ƭ Federal Credit Union; Harmony House, a transitional housing facility for homeless families; housing for families in Newark and Jersey City; senior housing in Newark, Orange and Jersey City; Extended Care, a nursing home; the Family Service Bureau, which provides behavioral and mental health services; and the Family Resource Success Center, which links individuals to services they need.

A Better Life is a joint project led by 91��Ƭ in collaboration with a number of funders and partnering agencies: New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; Red Stone Equity Partners; Essex County HOME Program; Newark HOME Program; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. Chelsea Construction Company, a subsidiary of 91��Ƭ, managed the project and Claremont Construction served as the general contractor. The facility was designed by lwdmr Architects.

Housing Project For Chronically Homeless Nears Completion

Michelle Lang — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 17:50:50 +0000

Workers paint a railing inside 91��Ƭ’s new housing facility for the chronically homeless, A Better Life.

Homeless individuals will soon have a new place to live.
Construction is about 85 percent complete for A Better Life, 91��Ƭ’s housing project for the chronically homeless. The facility is expected to be done this summer.
The $8 million endeavor is a joint project led by 91��Ƭ in collaboration with various funders and partnering agencies: New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; Red Stone Equity Partners; Essex County HOME Program; Newark HOME Program; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
NCC Founder Monsignor William J. Linder says the facility is meant for the “hardcore homeless,” chronically homeless individuals who often suffer from mental and behavioral health issues, many of whom are veterans.
“These are people who will not live in city shelters. They would rather live on the streets,” Linder said. “I think they have a lot to teach us.”
NCC CEO Richard Rohrman believes the project will benefit the community. “A Better Life will provide the chronically homeless not only with a place to live, but with the services they need to further improve their quality of life.”
‘s emergency care system will refer the chronically homeless for placement at A Better Life and will provide 24-hour supervision at the facility to support the wellness and recovery efforts of the people living in the building.

Closet doors being installed in a unit of A Better Life.

Rena Gitlitz, director of community based services at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, says her organization will ensure the residents are linked to the resources they need, including physical and mental health services.
“We’re very excited about this partnership between three very strong entities, all very committed to the homeless population in Newark where there’s so much need,” Gitlitz said. “We’re very excited about this amazing opportunity for individuals to live in their own studio apartment, to really maximize their independence and to have a safe roof over their heads. This is an incredible opportunity for people.”
A Better Life has been six years in the making partly because it involves so many entities and funders. 91��Ƭ Environmental Services Project Manager Ronda Lawrence said the paperwork for A Better Life is extensive due to the various sources of funding for the multi-million dollar permanent supportive housing project.
“Every penny has to be accounted for,” she said.
The building is green, meaning the appliances are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Unit doors are made of metal to reduce the risk of fire spreading throughout the building.
The building also has flooring that prevents water from seeping through from the second to first floor. Lawrence said that comes in handy should there be any type of flooding or if the sprinkler system were to be set off.
Chelsea Construction Company, an NCC subsidiary, is managing the project. It has served as the general manager during the construction phase of several NCC housing developments. Claremont Construction is serving as the general contractor.
The two-story facility will have 24 units, 20 of which will be reserved for residents. Each unit will be equipped with a private bathroom, kitchenette and living area. There will be an engagement center, laundry facilities and library available to residents.
A Better Life will provide the chronically homeless in need of services the opportunity to stay long-term as needed. Residents may also transition from the facility to other housing.
Lawrence is looking forward to the building’s opening and the gratifying feeling of providing housing to those that need it most.
“That’s the best feeling in the world,” she said.