Ironbound Community Corporation – 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.

Retired 91��Ƭ CEO Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from LISC Greater Newark

Michelle Lang — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:35:22 +0000

Richard Rohrman, who retired from his role as Chief Executive Officer of 91��Ƭ in 2021, was one of four recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the LISC Greater Newark 2022 NJ Neighborhood Achievement Awards, held on March 31 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza (formerly St. Joseph Plaza) and live-streamed for virtual participation.

LISC Greater Newark describes the Lifetime Achievement Award as an honor that “recognizes an individual for significant contributions to community development and neighborhood revitalization over the span of an entire career.”

91��Ƭ Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba presented Rohrman with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.

“Rich’s life’s work is intertwined with 91��Ƭ. He has been part of the movement. He stayed the course. He’s been faithful. And his leadership is indelibly imprinted in all of us,” Yamba said. “We are thrilled that LISC chose to honor him.”

91��Ƭ Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Mbakaya echoed that sentiment.

“We are so happy to see Rich’s hard work and dedication to the community recognized by LISC in this way,” she said.

Victoria Foundation Co-Executive Officer Craig Drinkard served as the chair of the 2022 LISC Greater Newark Local Advisory Committee and spoke about the Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. He said he considers Rohrman a friend.

“Sir, you taught me how to block out the outside noise and stay focused on your mission. You were steadfast and you said, ‘I know what I need to do. I need to block out the noise to get us where we need to go.’ And you did it,” Drinkard said. “The next leader that comes into this organization is poised to take it into the 22nd century because of your leadership.”

When Rohrman accepted his award, he spoke fondly about his time at 91��Ƭ.

“It’s been a really rewarding 26 years here at 91��Ƭ, working in community development. It’s enriched my life more than I can really say. It’s been an experience for me that really has formed my thoughts and formed my life and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. It’s been a terrific experience,” he said. “It’s really been an honor working here and working with the dedicated staff at 91��Ƭ.”

Rohrman also acknowledged the other recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, thanking them for their work and saying he learned from each of them.

The three others who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event also recently retired from their leadership roles. The honorees were Wayne Meyer, former President of New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC); Raymond Ocasio, former Executive Director of La Casa de Don Pedro; and Joseph Della Fave, former Executive Director of Ironbound Community Corporation.

“It’s really a terrific group of dedicated people that are receiving these honors,” Rohrman said.

LISC Greater Newark Executive Director Jorge Cruz explained the organization’s goals for the event.

“Our focus is really centered on building on local, equitable ecosystems and particularly ecosystems that are working towards equity for all,” he said. “We are recognizing those honorees who, from our standpoint, are the best of the best when it comes to ecosystem builders.”

In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Awards, LISC Greater Newark also presented the Transformative Project Award to Avi Teylas of Makerhoods, the Exemplary Private Partner Award to Tomas Porturas of Wells Fargo Bank and the Rhonda A. Lewis Community Inspirational Advocate Award to Kaleena Berryman. The event also included a tribute to Rhonda A. Lewis, who served as the Executive Director of LISC Greater Newark before her passing in 2020.

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.