Joseph DiVincenzo – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Participates in Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative

Michelle Lang — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 19:07:47 +0000

91��Ƭ is one of the community organizations working to ensure residents of color have access to COVID-19 vaccines through the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative. The initiative kicked off on March 23 with a community vaccination event in the parking lot of the IHOP on Bergen Street.

91��Ƭ’s Health and Human Services Department was instrumental in helping to ensure the event’s success. The department’s community health workers (CHWs) registered individuals for vaccine appointments prior to the event and were on site to help check in vaccine recipients, alongside representatives from Urban League of Essex County, which was a partner with NCC in executing the plan for the day. Event participants also received information about free COVID-19 crisis counseling that is available through Family Service Bureau of Newark (FSB). 91��Ƭ’s Security Department provided transportation for NCC residents who had vaccine appointments at the event.

“This is another in the list of cooperative efforts between government, business and the nonprofit community to get those who face challenges vaccinated,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “The level of cooperation and shared urgency has been something that is encouraging and shows us what we are capable of as a unified group. We were happy to be able to transport people to the event. This initiative is another much needed avenue to help us reach our shared goal of vaccinating as many residents as possible.”

Women check in for their vaccination appointment during the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative kickoff on March 23. Representatives from 91��Ƭ and the Urban League of Essex County were on hand to assist those receiving vaccines. A tent was set up in the parking lot of the IHOP on Bergen Street in Newark where individuals received vaccines and those involved in the initiative spoke about the importance of educating and vaccinating minority communities in the city.

NCC Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter attended the kickoff event and spoke about how 91��Ƭ serves a large population of people of color and has made vaccine education and distribution a priority.

“There are many different areas of 91��Ƭ that are instrumental in getting the message out about the importance of getting folks vaccinated,” he said.

In addition to helping with the community vaccination event, 91��Ƭ, with the assistance of area pharmacies and the City of Newark Department of Health, has offered vaccines to residents and staff members at its senior housing buildings and skilled nursing facility. Education surrounding the vaccines for residents and staff members is ongoing.

“Vulnerable seniors in our nursing home and senior buildings were vaccinated in their homes,” Rohrman said. “The Newark Health Department has been outstanding.”

91��Ƭ Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter addresses the crowd during the kickoff of the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative.

91��Ƭ Chief of Health and Human Services Arti Kakkar emphasized the importance of education and accessibility.

“When it comes to disparities in health, it is important to note for future endeavors why it exists because that needs to be addressed. When it comes to vaccination efforts, we need to make it easily accessible for Newark residents to be able to meet the vaccination goals set by the county and the state,” she said. “For successful implementation of a vaccination program, I strongly believe we need to address the hesitancy around the vaccines by community education, which we are doing with our community health workers, and also address emotional issues and anxiety that we are addressing through our crisis counseling support through FSB.”

Data supports the assertion that increased education and access to vaccinations for communities of color are important to help put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the kickoff event, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said that less than 5 percent of the Newark population had been fully vaccinated.

“With something like this, we’re providing access to people to get the vaccination, particularly in neighborhoods where people are more likely to die from COVID-19,” Baraka said. “These communities are three times more likely to succumb to the coronavirus and 10 times less likely to take the vaccine, which is why this event is extremely important.”

Funding for the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative comes from a $1 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to United Way of Greater Newark.

“The Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative leverages Newark’s best resources for building equity and increasing access to the community,” said United Way of Greater Newark President and CEO Catherine Wilson. “It brings together local health care providers, community-based organizations, small business owners, clergy, elected officials and concerned citizens all working together to coordinate on distribution, connect residents with providers, share resources and promote accurate health information.”

Having a group of entities working together to help to educate and vaccinate the community will hopefully increase vaccine participation.

“No one organization, no one government can do this alone,” said Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo. “I want to see everyone engaged in this.”

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, president and CEO of University Hospital, told those in attendance that he and his staff have seen firsthand the devastating effect COVID-19 has had on communities of color. Because infections continue, he said the efforts of the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative are vital to fighting the virus.

“This pandemic is not over and its impact on Black and brown people has not ended,” Elnahal said. “We have to do this. We have to start now and we have to work together.”

Adenah Bayoh, IHOP Multi-Franchise Owner and Cornbread Co-Founder, allowed her Bergen Street IHOP location’s parking lot to serve as the kickoff event location. She was born and raised in Newark and volunteered at University Hospital when she was 12 years old. She said the initiative is personal to her and very important.

“I would shut down IHOP if I had to to make sure more people in the community get vaccinated,” she said.

Personnel from Rite Aid and Newark Community Health Center were on hand to administer vaccines throughout the day of the kickoff.

Rite Aid Division Vice President Margherita R. Cardello said the pharmacy is happy to be a part of the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative to increase access to information and vaccinations.

“It’s only possible with community groups and businesses working together seamlessly for the greater good,” she said.

Essex County Honors Trish Morris-Yamba and Kenneth A. Gibson with Memorial Plaques Along Legends Way

Michelle Lang — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 15:00:52 +0000

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the Board of Chosen Freeholders dedicated memorial plaques along Legends Way to five individuals who made great contributions to the county during their lives. Among those recognized were two with close ties to 91��Ƭ: Trish Morris-Yamba, the late wife of NCC Board President Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, and Kenneth A. Gibson, a founding NCC board member and the first black mayor of Newark.

Elected officials, family members and friends gathered Sept. 18 at Governor Brendan Byrne Plaza in Newark for the ceremony and unveiling of the plaques along Legends Way.

In addition to Morris-Yamba and Gibson, county officials unveiled memorial plaques for Pearl Beatty, first Freeholder President; Lebby C. Jones, Freeholder and Irvington Councilwoman; and Ramon Rivera, founder of La Casa de Don Pedro.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said all five individuals were interested in community empowerment in addition to community service.

“Collectively the work that they did was probably more than thousands of us put together,” Baraka said. “There would be no baton to take if they didn’t pass it to us.”

Morris-Yamba served as the executive director of the Newark Day Center and the Greater Newark Fresh Air Fund for 32 years. She made it possible for inner-city children to participate in outdoor recreational activities, including summer camp. She founded the CHEN School and the Early Childhood Coalition of Newark. She was also a founding member of the National Congress of Black Women.

NCC Board President Yamba spoke about how his late wife never wanted to run for office herself but was always very active behind the scenes to help women seeking election.

“She traveled the length and breadth of this nation to make sure that women who were running for office had the support of strong black women,” Yamba said.

He added that many miss Morris-Yamba but they take comfort in knowing she had an impact.

“We know that what she has done will far outlive her life on this earth,” he said.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said Morris-Yamba was a friend personally and professionally.

“Anything I ever did, any office I ever ran for, the first contribution I would get was from Trish Morris-Yamba,” Oliver said. “Whether I was running on the line or off the line, Trish was always there for me.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said Morris-Yamba was able to raise thousands of dollars to send children to summer camp but didn’t seek recognition.

“She never, ever looked for praise whatsoever,” he said.

Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne said children had a better life because of Morris-Yamba.

“Trish was just an exceptional person,” he said.

Gibson was one of the founding board members of 91��Ƭ. He is best known for becoming the first black mayor of Newark in 1970.

“This was a watershed moment for Essex County and for the entire nation,” said Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill of his election.

Oliver said without Gibson’s achievement, she would not hold her current position.

“I would not be lieutenant governor without the opportunities provided to me by Kenneth Allen Gibson,” she said. “Ken Gibson won election when I was 17 years old. I cried like a baby because I understood the significance of what he had done.”

DiVincenzo said Gibson became the mayor of Newark at a difficult time, after the uprising in 1967 and civil unrest.

“Ken came in and made peace within the city,” DiVincenzo said.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said Gibson was a close friend who he met while working at the Newark Police Department.

“He was just a terrific person to work with,” Fontoura said.

Gibson’s wife Camille thanked everyone in attendance on behalf of the family.

“Ken and I were joined at the hip and he was my hero,” she said. “We appreciate this very, very much.”

Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones said each memorial plaque represents a person who cared for others no matter their political beliefs.

“These are individuals that looked out for people regardless of their party banner,” he said. “They had a rich spirit of public service. They had a rich spirit of giving.”

Essex County Dedicates Plaque to NCC Founder Along Legends Way

Michelle Lang — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 15:12:35 +0000

91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder will forever be remembered along Legends Way near the Essex County Government Complex. Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the Board of Chosen Freeholders held a dedication of memorial plaques honoring Monsignor Linder and Newark author Philip Roth Oct. 12. Both men passed away this year.

During the afternoon event, county officials and people connected to 91��Ƭ spoke about Monsignor Linder, the depth of his work, the influence he had on Newark and how he was personally.

NCC Board President Dr. A. Zachary Yamba talked about how he met Monsignor Linder in 1963 when he was a student at Seton Hall University and Monsignor Linder was the pastor at Queen of Angels Church. Their friendship lasted for more than five decades and after Yamba retired from being president of Essex County College, he joined the NCC Board of Directors at Monsignor Linder’s request.

Yamba said while Monsignor Linder wasn’t a native Newarker, he did more for the city than anyone after the Summer Disorders of 1967.

“All you have to do is look outside the confines of county government and you can see the footprints of Monsignor Linder,” Yamba said. “We will be eternally grateful for this man who has worked so hard. And so the obligation that he has left us with is to carry on his legacy so that which he built will not have been done in vain.”

91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman talked about how Monsignor Linder changed people’s lives through a holistic approach.

“He was a big dreamer but he also had a persistence and he had a determination to turn those dreams into reality,” Rohrman said. “He was really the most persistent and effective advocate for the people in the city of Newark.”

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura talked about Monsignor Linder’s persistence, saying he could be relentless but it was for the right reasons.

“He never stopped articulating on behalf of the people that he served. That’s what was so admirable about him,” Fontoura said. “He was so passionate about serving the folks that needed to be served the most. … His legacy will live on forever.”

Former Director of Operations for 91��Ƭ Raymond Codey shared several stories about Monsignor Linder and how he fought for the people of Newark from the very beginning of his assignment at Queen of Angels Church in the city. Three weeks after he became the church pastor, the Summer Disorders happened.

In an effort to control the situation, then Gov. Richard Hughes sent in the State Police and National Guard who set up a perimeter along the boundaries of Newark. This cut off the food supply for residents. Monsignor Linder convinced a bakery in East Orange to give him a truck and got permission from Gov. Hughes to drive that truck in and out of the city.

“He ordered milk, water, vegetables and bread and walked the projects right next to the parish. He did that for seven days. These were like 15-story buildings, no elevator service. He walked door to door, floor to floor, seven days delivering food,” Codey said. “And he built up a tremendous following in the community because of that.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said he worked for Steve Adubato at the time when Monsignor Linder founded 91��Ƭ.

“Steve started the North Ward Center to say, ‘We’re going to be part of the community,’” DiVincenzo said. “Monsignor Linder did the same thing with 91��Ƭ, dealing with the less fortunate. He was the man who spoke up.”

Though he said the two didn’t get along, he was able to bring them together to work out their differences.

“There’s only one Steve Adubato and one Monsignor Linder, but they were both doing the same thing: trying to help people in the city of Newark,” DiVincenzo said.

Sen. Teresa Ruiz called Monsignor Linder “a giant, a legacy builder who really created fundamental core principles of improving the quality of life for people either in a moment in time, for an extended moment in time or for their entire lifespan.”

Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill said Monsignor Linder’s contributions to society enhanced the legacy of Newark.

“During a time of tremendous upheaval and despair, he became a favorite son of Newark by taking that despair and turning it into hope,” Gill said.

Those interested in viewing the plaque can walk along Legends Way near the Essex County Government Complex.

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.