Manuela Garcia – 91��Ƭ

Recognizing NCC’s Administrative Professionals

Michelle Lang — Tue, 01 May 2018 14:16:16 +0000

91��Ƭ’s administrative professionals took part in a celebration of the work they do April 25 at St. Joseph Plaza.

The event, which took place on Administrative Professionals Day, was all about thanking the employees and giving them a chance to relax.

91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman thanked the employees for their hard work and for being the face of the organization to the public.

“You really carry 91��Ƭ’s name and 91��Ƭ’s mission. And you transfer that to the people you see,” he said. “You really are the first impression that many people have of 91��Ƭ and I want to thank you for the great job you do representing 91��Ƭ.”

As a token of appreciation, employees received gift cards to a variety of places, including AMC, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bed Bath & Beyond, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Burger King, Best Buy and Uber.

91��Ƭ Chief of Staff Kathy Spivey told the group to make sure they use the gift cards to get something for themselves.

“We understand that you have stressful times but today is giving you that opportunity to think about you,” she said, adding that when you take care of yourself, you’re able to be more effective.

91��Ƭ Director of Mission Frances Teabout spoke at the event about how to reduce stress and live a balanced life. She gave three Rs to help with that goal: recall, reflect and relax. She asked employees to recall a time in their life that was stress-free, and think about the goals they had at that time. Then she told them to reflect on the reason some of those dreams or goals didn’t come true and determine if they could still be possibilities. Finally, Teabout told the group to relax and enjoy life because we only have limited time in this world.

“Since our days are short and they are numbered, we should use them in positive ways and we should live every day to the fullest,” she said. “And so that is our challenge to you: That you relax and enjoy life because we only go around one time.”

The event included relaxation tips and exercises aimed to calm. Participants got to color, which is a stress-reducing activity. They watched a few videos aimed to entertain and ended with lunch and cake.

91��Ƭ’s Human Resources Department organized the event and HR Manager Anna Sing-King served as the day’s host.

Employees Recognized:

Helen Abraha (Corporate Office), Amalia Aldana (Adult Learning Center), Peggy Barnes (Environmental Services), Deborah Bell (SAIF), Deborah Bradley (Automotive Training Center), Clara Brown (New Start), Tangula Brown (HHELC), Brenda Buesing (Human Resources), Delores Bynum (Extended Care), Trudiann Clement (91��Ƭ Federal Credit Union), Adalberto Diaz (Extended Care), Jada Fitzgerald (Management), Manuela Garcia (Management), Lovelene Glaude (Workforce Development Center), Janesa Henry (Security), Lawrence Iben (Extended Care), Toshia Laberth (Human Resources), Savadogo Maurice (Extended Care), Madeline Miller (Extended Care), Jeanette Morales (Environmental Services), Nelly Noel (CHELC), Martina Nunez (Adult Learning Center), Marilyn Rodriguez (Family Service Bureau), Debbie Rohrman (Corporate Office), Dianette Roman (Family Service Bureau), Madelyn Rosa Reyes (Harmony House), Migdalia Serrano (Family Service Bureau), Aliya Wadood (CHELC) and Patricia Washington (Corporate Office).

NCC Security Personnel Start Training Program

Michelle Lang — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 15:20:03 +0000

Members of the 91��Ƭ Security Department will be undergoing new training throughout 2018. The process began with three supervisors participating in a three-day training Jan. 23-25 at St. Joseph Plaza.

“Through training, policies, rules and regulations, this is how we ensure officers are trained to do what needs to be done,” said Security Operations Manager John Wade.

Wade is leading the effort and is conducting the training with help from Human Resources Director Ben Galvez and Family Service Bureau Executive Director Manuela Garcia. Wade is certified to teach almost half of the curriculum at the Police Academy and has used that background to customize training for NCC personnel. He is leading the majority of the training. Galvez is reviewing HR policies and procedures with employees. Garcia is helping with the mental health aspect of the training, including de-escalation techniques.

The training covers areas including standard operating procedures, leadership and management, ethics, verbal de-escalation, incident command and active shooter. Wade also recently reworked the emergency plans for Community Hills Early Learning Center and Harmony House Early Learning Center and will review those plans as part of the training as well.

Training will be conducted in small groups throughout the year based on employees’ schedules and positions. Supervisors will receive training first, followed by dispatchers, patrol officers and officers at the various NCC sites. Some of the training will be specifically geared toward employees’ positions. Wade plans to have everyone complete three days worth of training.

2017 Fabulous Me Conference Draws 220 Young Women

Michelle Lang — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 21:49:25 +0000

91��Ƭ 220 girls ages 11 to 17 attended this year’s Fabulous Me: Celebration of Womanhood conference hosted by the Family Service Bureau of Newark, an affiliate of 91��Ƭ. This year’s theme was #FightLikeAGirl with a fitting keynote speaker: five-time world and international boxing champion Mia St. John.
St. John talked about her struggles growing up as a Mexican-American, battling alcohol and drug addiction, dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder and the loss of her son to suicide. She told the girls in the audience, “No matter what obstacles you have in life, you can overcome them.”
Her daughter Paris St. John also spoke at the conference, telling the girls that they don’t have to be perfect and they should follow their hearts and be themselves.
The speakers resonated with attendees.
“My favorite part was the boxer and the boxer’s daughter talking about expressing yourself,” said Tameka Jackson-Bright, a 15-year-old attendee from Newark Arts High School who also served as a Junior Female Ambassador, helping plan and execute the conference.
Fellow 15-year-old Junior Female Ambassador Rashidah Babb of Hillside High School has attended the Fabulous Me conference since she was 12. This year the message she took away was, “To be yourself and love who you are.”
Family Service Bureau Executive Director Manuela Garcia said there are several purposes for Fabulous Me. “The goal for our 2017 Womanhood Conference is to promote, empower, teach and have girls understand the importance of growing up comfortable in today’s society. Also at the same time learn the values of leadership, independence, creativity, prevention and learn additional skills to be a successful woman in today’s world and be able to #FightLikeAGirl,” she said.
In addition to the speeches, girls participated in breakout sessions that covered topics such as cyberbullying, STDs, teen pregnancy and domestic violence.
To end the conference, members of used improvisation to showcase dating violence in various forms. The performance was interactive, with attendees asking questions to the actors while they were in character.
“The idea behind this is to promote bonding of young females across socioeconomic class and race. There are lot more similarities than differences,” said 91��Ƭ Chief of Health and Human Services Arti Kakkar. “Fabulous Me brings 200-plus girls together under one roof to share ideas and learn leadership skills.”

2017 Fabulous Me Womanhood Conference: #FightLikeAGirl

Michelle Lang — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 17:41:55 +0000

SOUTH ORANGE (June 13, 2017) — Five-time world and international boxing champion Mia St. John will deliver the keynote address at the 2017 Fabulous Me: Celebration of Womanhood Conference Friday, June 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at . Her daughter, Paris St. John – a singer, songwriter and mental health advocate – will also address the attendees.
The mother/daughter duo will focus on the issue of mental health and empowerment. #FightLikeAGirl is the theme of this year’s Fabulous Me conference, which is hosted by the Family Service Bureau of Newark, an affiliate of the nonprofit 91��Ƭ.
“I want to get the word out about mental health. What’s sad in this country, people don’t really talk about mental illness,” Mia St. John said. “Anyone that’s experiencing mental illness, it’s OK to speak up. You don’t have to feel ashamed.”
She has personal experience with mental health issues. She’s a recovering alcoholic and has obsessive compulsive disorder. Her son Julian, who was battling schizophrenia and addiction, committed suicide in 2014.
Mia St. John, a first generation Mexican-American and inductee into the National Boxing Hall of Fame, started the foundation “” to provide educational material, equipment and health and wellness programs to youth. She hopes by sharing her experiences, she can show young people they can overcome their challenges and achieve.
Her daughter Paris hopes speaking at the conference will encourage dialogue about mental health.
“When I was that age I wish I would’ve heard the conversation more about mental health and overall how to live a better life,” she said. “Because I think that’s important to have the tools. It really does start at a young age.”
The diverse group of participants will be composed of young women from across northern New Jersey who are referred by their school social workers and community leaders. Some participants are identified as at-risk while others have excelled in school, according to Manuela Garcia, executive director of the Family Service Bureau of Newark.
“This event will teach the importance of courage, strength, pride and so much more that girls need to be able to accept and succeed in today’s society. And the importance of being gracious, courageous and accept all the challenges and learn which ones to fight and which ones to avoid,” Garcia said.
Organized by the Family Service Bureau, the event is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee, administered by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission under the state Attorney General’s Office. The conference is co-sponsored by the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy at Seton Hall University.
Young women will participate in workshops during two breakout sessions and attend a resource fair and theater performance related to domestic violence. Breakfast and lunch are provided for attendees. Pre-registration is required.
Date: Friday, June 16, 2017
Time:��Fabulous Me Conference: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Welcome: 9 to 9:10 a.m.
Keynote Address (Mia St. John): 9:15 to 9:55 a.m.
Guest Speaker (Paris St. John): 9:55 to 10:15 a.m.
First Breakout Session: 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.
Second Breakout Session: 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Lunch/Resource Fair: 12:15 to 1 p.m.
Skit/Discussion 91��Ƭ Dating Violence: 1 to 2 p.m.
Closing/Questions/Surveys: 2 to 2:30 p.m.
NOTE: Breakout sessions address issues such as cyberbullying, STDs, teen pregnancy and domestic violence in adolescents.
Location:
Seton Hall University
University Center
400 South Orange Ave.
South Orange, NJ 07079
Conference starts and ends at McNulty Hall. Breakout sessions at Fahy Hall.
Interviews: Junior Female Ambassadors in attendance will be cleared to speak with media. Mia and Paris St. John and Family Service Bureau Executive Director Manuela Garcia will also be available.
Note: No girls other than the Junior Female Ambassadors may be photographed directly. All other photos of program participants must be from their backs.
Credentials: For information about press credentials, contact Michelle Lang at 973-497-4413.