Greater Newark LISC – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Showcases Financial Opportunity Center to LISC Partners

Michelle Lang — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:45:18 +0000

Staff members of 91��Ƭ’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) recently had the opportunity to share their work with others who are looking to duplicate a successful FOC model. 91��Ƭ has run its FOC under the umbrella of Greater Newark LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) since 2016. The FOC operates out of 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) and helps individuals access financial education and financial coaching. Since its inception, 91��Ƭ’s FOC has been a top performer in the LISC FOC network, which is made up of more than 100 sites nationwide. 91��Ƭ FOC personnel hosted representatives from New Jersey agencies working with Greater Newark LISC to launch FOCs in four other New Jersey cities to explain how the model works and answer questions.

Greater Newark LISC Deputy Director Judith Thompson-Morris explained that LISC is expanding its programs to other parts of the state, starting with the FOC. The organization has plans to create FOCs in Camden, Elizabeth, Perth Amboy and Trenton.

The initiative has been in process for about two years and is now close to kickoff. The visit to 91��Ƭ’s FOC was an opportunity to show partners how the program works in a practical way.

“You can explain what the FOC model is, but we thought it would be helpful for them to see and hear from the partners in the Newark footprint who have been doing this work for a while,” Thompson-Morris said.

While all LISC FOCs follow a particular framework, Thompson-Morris explained that each site has unique aspects to match the partner’s work in the neighborhood. For example, 91��Ƭ’s FOC is tied to its career and technical education program at NCCTI, a service not every FOC partner offers.

NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray welcomed the visitors on June 27 and provided an overview of how the FOC operates. Then Financial Coach Tamara Brown went into greater detail about how she works with clients and answered the participants’ questions.

91��Ƭ Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter was also on hand to greet the guests and provide a brief explanation of NCC as a whole.

“The LISC partner site visit presented a wonderful opportunity for the staff at NCCTI to discuss the FOC program. FOC staff provided a robust discussion that included outreach activities, program enrollment, measuring success and the future vision,” Hunter said. “The success of the FOC program can be measured by the clients’ increased knowledge of their financial potential. Positive outcomes include improvements in job placement due to job coaching sessions, improved personal credit scores and financial plans that increase clients’ net value.”

McCray was happy to host the agency representatives.

“It was a good opportunity to meet other partners who are also committed to working with the community in understanding financial health, stability, growth and wealth legacy building for their future generations,” McCray said. “I look forward to our continued collaboration with not only LISC but its partners across New Jersey and the United States.”

Brown believes increasing the number of FOCs in the state is positive for residents, particularly those with limited financial resources.

“Access to having a financial coach is an important resource for low-income and moderate-income families,” she said. “In the past, a lot of wealth-building information was only available to the rich and the very few. The prospect of adding more Financial Opportunity Centers means more access to financial education and wealth-building services for everyday people.”

Four groups that will be launching FOCs participated in the event, both in-person and virtually: Center for Family Services in Camden, Isles Inc. in Trenton, Union County Department of Human Services in Elizabeth and United Way of Central Jersey in Milltown which will operate the Perth Amboy FOC.

Thompson-Morris said the Perth Amboy location will likely be the first new site since Congressman Frank Pallone secured funds in a federal bill for that FOC location. It could become operational in the fall.

There are currently three LISC FOCs in Newark: at 91��Ƭ, Ironbound Community Corporation and Urban League of Essex County.

Since 1986, Greater Newark LISC has collaborated with community-based organizations in Newark and the surrounding region to improve the quality of life for residents and shopkeepers.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business & Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Helps Students with Financial Literacy and Industry Specific Skills

Michelle Lang — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:14:13 +0000

In addition to providing affordable post-secondary education that leads to nationally recognized credentials, 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), which helps educate students in the area of financial literacy. Students learn about credit, budgeting and saving and are provided with tools to help them improve their financial situation.

So far in 2020, the FOC helped 80 clients achieve credit score increases and assisted with over 40 job placements, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

“NCCTI’s work extends beyond providing quality training services and connecting students to good careers. It also entails sharing valuable tools and educational services to help them make wise financial decisions,” said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton.

Kaitlin Brant is one graduate who benefited from NCCTI’s offerings. She enrolled in the Patient Care Technician program, which she completed in 2019, and took advantage of the financial education the FOC provides.

Financial Coach Tamara Brown gave a presentation in Brant’s class about what credit is and how to boost your score. During the presentation, Brown mentioned the LISC Twin Accounts, which is a credit-building tool for low- to moderate-income individuals. Participants receive a $300 loan which is put in a locked savings account until the loan is paid off. Participants must make 12 on-time monthly payments, which are matched, so at the end of the 12-month period, they have a total of $600 and an increased credit score since they have a year’s worth of on-time payments.

Brant was eligible for the LISC Twin Accounts and successfully participated in the program. She has seen her credit score increase with her participation and also from paying off her student loans.

“I was able to boost my credit from fair to good. And this is starting off with me not even knowing what credit was,” Brant said.

In addition to the LISC Twin Accounts, Brown offers other tools to her FOC clients. She holds educational workshops, which are now virtual because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She shares resources about how to dispute incorrect information on credit reports and talks with clients about their financial goals and how to achieve them. The FOC also helps with job placement so clients can obtain higher-paying positions.

After graduating from NCCTI, Brant was hired at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson as a Patient Care Assistant. She was previously working at Checkers Restaurant and received a significant hourly wage increase when she switched jobs. That along with an increased credit score helped Brant to move to a nicer apartment.

“Kaitlin was steadfast in her commitment to improve her credit. Her hard work paid off when she was able to access better housing,” Brown said. “Kaitlin is a pleasure to work with and the skills she learned will continue to open doors for her in the future.”

NCCTI also provides the Bridges to Career Opportunities program with support from LISC, which includes a period of “contextualized bridge training.” The instruction focuses on industry-relevant material to teach and reinforce academic skills in a way that more readily prepares students for their future careers. Brant and her classmates participated in the program by learning computer skills specifically for health care workers.

Brant is grateful for everything she has learned from NCCTI.

“The knowledge that Ms. Tamara gave us, teaching us about credit and financial literacy, plus the education that the school provided for us, that together is enough to help us thrive and move up another step within the world,” she said.

Brant plans to share the knowledge she has learned with others, including her young daughter.

“I have a lot of friends who really don’t understand credit because they don’t really teach it in school,” she said. “With the knowledge that I have, I just want to move forward with it, learn more about it and spread it to anybody who doesn’t know about it.”

In addition to the FOC, Brant also utilized the services of the Family Resource Success Center while enrolled at NCCTI, including free tax preparation and other benefits that she was eligible for.

“The school helped in every way possible and I really appreciate them for that,” Brant said. “I would really urge and suggest students take advantage of the opportunities.”

Brant recommends NCCTI, saying the programs are short-term, graduates often launch a successful career and students can improve their financial standing.

“Kaitlin is one of many who benefited from our Financial Opportunity Center,” Brutton said. “We thank our funding partners: Greater Newark LISC local office, LISC national office, Citi Foundation and Capital One Bank. NCC’s success is directly related to their confidence in our work.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Building Trades Graduate Finds Success as Solar Panel Technician

Michelle Lang — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:52:39 +0000

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) helped launch Terrell Williams into a career as a solar panel technician, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

After graduating from high school, Williams entered the workforce because he didn’t want to take on the high debt associated with attending college. After several years, however, he decided to pursue additional education to increase his earning potential.

“I wanted to explore a trade school option to see if I could find an affordable one,” Williams said.

After doing online research, Williams found NCCTI which was conveniently located for him since he lives in Newark.

“When I looked on the website and saw the programs and saw it costs an amount of money that would be more reasonable and could be paid off, I decided to go there,” he said.

That decision has paid off. Williams completed the Building Trades Specialist program in the spring, where he learned the basics of carpentry, electrical and plumbing, and then opted to take a short solar panel installation course through Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC). He started working as a solar panel technician for Solar Energy Systems at the beginning of June where he installs solar panels on commercial buildings full-time.

NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton said Williams is one of the school’s many successes.

“Terrell is a smart young man with an eagerness to learn and a commitment to putting in the work. Those attributes and characteristics allowed him to get the opportunity with Solar Energy Systems,” Brutton said. “It was beyond a pleasure having Terrell as a part of our Building Trades program.”

While Williams was skeptical at first that he would be able to learn the basics in the three areas of carpentry, electrical and plumbing, he felt prepared upon completing the program at NCCTI and recommends the school to others.

“In my head, I thought it was going to be impossible to teach all these things in this short period of time, but they ended up teaching us all the basics,” Williams said.

Williams had the opportunity to participate in the solar panel course because 91��Ƭ is part of the Newark Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) network, which includes NCC, ICC and the Urban League of Essex County. The Greater Newark LISC office provides funding support and technical assistance to all the FOCs in the network. Organizations in the network share their program information with each other and invite participation.

“We really appreciate the partnership with ICC and our FOC agencies for the work they do and for creating this wonderful opportunity for Terrell,” Brutton said.

At just 24 years old, Williams is well on his way to a successful career in a growing industry.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

NCC Welcomes New LISC Employees

Michelle Lang — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:13:48 +0000

91��Ƭ hosted dozens of new employees of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) June 12. The individuals from throughout the country learned about the services 91��Ƭ provides, its history and its relationship with LISC.
“NCC and LISC have been partners since the 1980s. They have supported us with tax credit investments for housing construction, consulting to strengthen the organization and funding our Financial Opportunity Center, to name a few,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “They have been there for us and the relationship continues to grow. They are true reliable partners with a strong sense of mission.”
The visit was part of a three-day new hire orientation at LISC headquarters. The orientation is done two times per year, in the fall and spring. NCC hosted a group in November 2018 for the first time. The guests were served lunch at St. Joseph Plaza, NCC’s headquarters, and then took a tour of 91��Ƭ Career and Technical Institute (NCCTI), both the main campus and the Training Center.
“We are so grateful to NCC for sharing their amazing work and time with our new staff during their recent site visit to Newark. In partnership with LISC, NCC continues to provide clear pathways to change for community residents,” said LISC President and CEO Maurice A. Jones. “It was an excellent opportunity for LISC staff from across the country to see first hand the success of NCC’s comprehensive approach and a great time was had by all.”
NCCTI works closely with Greater Newark LISC, the local office of the national nonprofit organization that provides a variety of support to community development corporations. LISC provides funding and technical assistance for the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), a relationship that began in 2015. The FOC helps community members better their financial situations. LISC also offers financial support and technical assistance for the Bridges to Career Opportunities (BCO) program for NCCTI, which helps students learn basic skills as they relate to their field of choice. Both the FOC and BCO are LISC models.
“The success of NCCTI’s FOC, BCO and career and technical programs is directly related to our partnership with Greater Newark LISC,” said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. “In the last several years, we’ve been able to expand course offerings, build greater capacity to our career and technical programs and help hundreds of clients improve their financial standing.”
The positive work being done with students at NCCTI has drawn attention from LISC leadership members, who have toured the FOC and NCCTI Training Center and have been impressed with the services being offered to the unemployed and underemployed.
“As well accustomed to NCC as I am, visiting routinely to work with our partner as a Newark 2020 community hub and a LISC Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Center site, I learn something new and awe-inspiring every time,” said Greater Newark LISC Program Officer Jerrah Crowder.
91��Ƭ is happy to serve as a model for LISC employees.
“Our work with LISC is a true and practical example of what a solid partnership consists of,” Brutton said.
NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical school. For more information, visit or call 973-824-6484.

Financial Opportunity Center Helps NCCTI Student Reach Financial Goals

Michelle Lang — Thu, 02 May 2019 20:48:18 +0000

When students sign up for classes at 91��Ƭ Career and Technical Institute (NCCTI), they not only receive a high quality, hands-on education in their field of study, but they also have access to a variety of services. One of those very useful services is the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC). The FOC helps individuals achieve their financial goals while also providing them with knowledge about credit, budgets and savings plans.

Current Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) student Ciara Cooper-Jones is taking full advantage of the FOC. She met with Financial Coach Tamara Brown and discussed her goals of financial stability and fixing her credit, which has been lowered by student loans she has from attending a college previously.

“You can’t do anything without credit,” Cooper-Jones said. “My biggest goal is to be financially set and stable enough to get a house of my own. Because I don’t want to always rent.”

At age 21, Cooper-Jones wants to start the process of increasing her credit score and saving for the future. She has enrolled in Twin Accounts, which is a dual benefit program. It helps clients build credit and save. The program lasts for 12 months and requires the participant to put $25 per month into a certificate of deposit (CD). Every time the payment is made on time, the participant receives a match of $25. This is reported as an installment payment and therefore helps build the participant’s credit.

So far, Cooper-Jones has made all her payments on time.

“At the end of the program my credit score can increase and along the way I’m learning more about financial savings and stability,” she said.

NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton said Cooper-Jones is taking advantage of the services available both from the FOC and the career and technical school.

“Ciara is a very forward thinking young lady who is not only committed to getting her professional career started, but she also knows the importance of establishing a long-term financial plan.”

Cooper-Jones and many others are able to take advantage of services offered by NCCTI and the FOC thanks, in part, to grant money. In March, 91��Ƭ received a three-year grant totaling $190,000 from Citi Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to provide services that help job seekers increase their incomes, improve their credit and raise their standards of living.

“91��Ƭ Financial Opportunity Center owes its appreciation and gratitude to the national and local LISC offices,” Brutton said. “Their technical assistance, program guidance and in-depth knowledge of operating an FOC has led to our success.”

In 2018, 72 FOC clients, most of whom were NCCTI students, saw an increase in their credit scores. Financial Coach Brown, Job Developer Joseph Jean and Income Support Specialist and 91��Ƭ Family Resource Success Center Director Joann Williams-Swiney work as a team to run the daily operations of the FOC. Greater Newark LISC Program Officer Jerrah Crowder has guided and assisted with the FOC to help ensure its success.

Cooper-Jones, who lives in Newark with her boyfriend and their son, has found the FOC to be very beneficial.

“This program has really given me a better understanding of the effects of credit,” she said. “I would recommend it to everybody, but mostly I would say an age group of 18 to 30 only because I know once you’re legal enough to sign your own papers and you don’t need a parent, most people do go open up credit cards because they want to shop. They’re not thinking of a long-term goal for themselves and then they’re going to be stuck when they get older because they messed up their credit at a young age.”

Cooper-Jones had been in college studying nursing but left the school because of the high expense. After completing the CMA program at NCCTI, she plans to work in a facility and climb the ranks and then return to school for an additional degree or certificate.

She is working on her financial future as well as her career by participating in the FOC. Brown said Cooper-Jones’ participation in the Twin Accounts program helps her to practice saving by having mandatory monthly payments, provides the opportunity to earn with the matching funds and will help raise her credit score.

“A low credit score can be a barrier to getting an apartment or a house,” Brown said. “Ciara doesn’t want to have to worry about a barrier.”

Cooper-Jones is glad she enrolled at NCCTI for the affordably priced CMA program and the assistance with her finances that she has received.

“I feel like everyone here at NCC has been a great help. They always come with welcome arms and they’re always willing to help,” Cooper-Jones said. “This program overall has been a great experience so far and I just can’t wait to see where it takes me.”

91��Ƭ Financial Opportunity Center is funded by Greater Newark LISC, with generous support from Citi Foundation and Capital One Bank. For more information about the FOC, contact Financial Coach Tamara Brown at 973-585-9648 or tamarabrown@newcommunity.org. The FOC is located at 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Career and Technical Institute is an accredited post-secondary school that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. Those interested in enrolling should call 973-824-6484 or visit www.newcommunity.org. The school is located at 274 South Orange Ave., Newark, with the Training Center that houses Automotive, Diesel and Building Trades programs located at 210 West Bigelow St., Newark.

91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center Becomes First Newark 2020 Hub

Michelle Lang — Fri, 25 May 2018 20:27:24 +0000

91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center has become the first community hub of the Newark 2020 initiative, which aims to connect 2,020 Newark residents to employment that provides family sustainable wages by the end of 2020.

As a hub, 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center is responsible for reaching out to individuals who signed up and submitted information through the Newark 2020 website, assessing their educational and professional backgrounds and connecting them to employment opportunities.

“We are serving as the liaison between Newark 2020 applicants and employers,” said 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center Director Rodney Brutton.

Another part of being a community hub is providing employability skills training, helping candidates with resumes, practicing interviews and offering assistance in preparation for employment opportunities.

“We’re happy to have been selected as a community hub,” Brutton said. “It’s exciting.”

Mayor Ras Baraka announced the Newark 2020 initiative last year. It has support from a number of city employers, including Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, PSE&G, Audible, Prudential, RWJBarnabas Health, NJIT, Rutgers-Newark, Panasonic, United Airlines and 91��Ƭ. The employers have agreed to hire a certain number of Newark residents.

91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center is in a good position to prepare applicants for jobs because as an accredited post-secondary career and technical school, it offers programs that help students receive certifications in their field of study.

“If a Newark 2020 applicant isn’t qualified for a job but is interested in training, we’ll be able to help them,” Brutton said.

Newark 2020 Project Director Travis Reid said 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center was chosen as the first community hub based on the results of a competitive bidding process and subsequent follow-up interviews with staff. Community hubs will help candidates develop resumes, provide best-in-practice case management to clients and facilitate effective matches between job seekers and employers.

“91��Ƭ’s existing infrastructure and deep experience in workforce development led to their number one ranking in a very competitive pool of respondents to our RFP,” Reid said.

Greater Newark LISC was part of the Newark 2020 selection and onboarding process for 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center as a community hub. Its funding is providing for the start of Newark 2020 operations there. The organization also provides funding and technical support for 91��Ƭ’s Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities program.

“Greater Newark LISC is proud to have served as a partner in the Newark 2020 initiative since its inception, and we are especially pleased to be a part of the launch alongside the LISC Bridges to Careers Opportunity work at 91��Ƭ, all in alignment with the living wage employment landscape efforts here in Newark,” said Greater Newark LISC Program Officer Jerrah Crowder.

Newark 2020 applicants came to 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center May 14 for an orientation. They got to hear more about the initiative from Reid and Brutton and met with Hub Representative Aziza Johnson and Program Assistant Quameria Edwards.

While Reid explained that employers are not required to grant interviews, those looking for employment at companies that have committed to Newark 2020 are better positioned to yield opportunities.

“Newark 2020 strategically leverages employer commitments to hiring locally to benefit the city’s labor force,” Reid said. “Community hubs are critically important because they help facilitate matches that mutually benefit job seekers and employers.”

Newark 2020 is open to all Newark residents, regardless of employment level. At the orientation, participants had a variety of career interests, including customer service, health care, communications, building maintenance and human resources.

Those interested in participating in Newark 2020 should visit and register. For more information about 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center and its course offerings, or call 973-824-6484.

Workforce Development Center Awarded $225,000 Multi-Year Grant

Michelle Lang — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 15:16:54 +0000

Lead Academic Enrichment Instructor Odette Phillip, standing, helps students with their work.

91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center has been awarded a three-year grant totaling $225,000 to provide academic literacy support and vocation training services related to its occupational training programs.

The annual $75,000 grant comes from LISC’s Family Income and Wealth Building program and is meant to help 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center align with LISC’s Bridges to Career Opportunities model. The model includes a period of “contextualized bridge training,” which means the instruction focuses on industry-relevant material. An example would be teaching fractions through the lens of measurements that are needed in the field of construction. The goal is to teach the academic skills in a way that more readily prepares students for their future careers.

“Ultimately, we’re going to blend vocational services, academic support and financial coaching to enhance the social and financial status of area job seekers,” said 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Director Rodney Brutton.

Workforce will use the funding to operate a Bridges to Career program with outreach and recruitment, direct classroom instruction, vocational training, financial services and career services, including job placement assistance.

“This is an outgrowth of our Financial Opportunity Center and Academic Enrichment Program by combining those two initiatives,” Brutton said.

There are no residency requirements for the program, but participants must be at least 18 years old.

“This work is supported by our local Greater Newark LISC office under the direction of Rhonda Lewis, executive director, and Jerrah Crowder, program officer,” Brutton said. “Both Rhonda and Jerrah understand the importance of combining contextualized learning with occupational skills and financial coaching and how that leads to a more well-rounded job seeker.”

91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center is an accredited post-secondary career and technical school offering the following programs: Automotive Technician, Patient Care Technician (Certified Home Health Aide, EKG Technician, Phlebotomy Technician), Clinical Medical Assistant (EKG Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Medical Office Administration, Medical Billing/Coding), Culinary Arts Specialist, and Building Trades Specialist (Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Flooring, Painting). All programs offer industry recognized credentials. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

For more information about the school, call 973-824-6484. To complete an application online, .

The mission of 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center is to improve the quality of life of all students through education and occupational training in a community that fosters life-long learning.