National Council of Jewish Women Essex County – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Families Benefit from NCJW/Essex Back 2 School Store

Michelle Lang — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:51:27 +0000

91��Ƭ families participated in the 14th annual Back 2 School Store, sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women Essex County (NCJW/Essex). Children throughout Essex County each received a brand-new winter coat, clothes, socks, underwear, an age-appropriate book and personal care items, along with a backpack filled with school supplies, all chosen based on their specific requests.

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, children went in person to shop for items in a pop-up store, but since 2020, the event has been mobile, with items being delivered to families.

91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson works closely with NCJW/Essex to ensure NCC children are included in the annual event.

“I would like to thank the entire NCJW/Essex committee and volunteers who gave so much of their time to make this event a successful one for the children,” Wilson said.

Wilson also thanks others who donated backpacks and school supplies to 91��Ƭ and St. Rose of Lima parish, including Kathy and Bill Hoffman, Father Owen and parishioners of St. Luke’s Catholic Church of Long Valley, Katherine Grifonetti of Old Tappan, Sister Mary of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and Margaret Strong of Summit.

Photos courtesy of Anibal Alvelo and Jennifer Wicker-Buchanan.

Four Decades of Service: Madge Wilson Continues to Fulfill 91��Ƭ’s Mission

Michelle Lang — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:44:05 +0000

It’s extremely rare to find an individual who has dedicated more than four decades of their career to one organization. But anyone familiar with 91��Ƭ knows Madge Wilson who has been a constant at the organization for more than 41 years.

Wilson met the late Monsignor William J. Linder, founder of 91��Ƭ, at Queen of Angels parish in 1962 where he was first assigned after graduating from the seminary and becoming an ordained priest. After he and other community members started 91��Ƭ in 1968, Wilson became involved. She was one of the founding members of Babyland Nursery, which provided childcare services, in 1969. After 91��Ƭ constructed housing, Wilson officially joined NCC as an employee in 1980, becoming a member of the Property Management Department as a manager for family and senior housing. She previously worked for the Newark Housing Authority from 1964 to 1980 so she had experience in that area.

Over the last four decades, Wilson has helped people in more ways than just through her official job responsibilities. While working in the Property Management Department, she began the annual Christmas drive, which she still does today. She arranges for the collection of holiday gifts for children from a variety of sources, including Catholic schools, churches and individual donors, and distributes them to families in need connected to 91��Ƭ and Saint Rose of Lima Church, where she has been a member since 1974, when Monsignor Linder began serving as pastor there. She also distributes donated turkeys to families in need for Thanksgiving to ensure they have a festive holiday meal.

Wilson works with the National Council of Jewish Women Essex County (NCJW/Essex) to ensure 91��Ƭ and Saint Rose of Lima families are able to participate in the organization’s annual Back 2 School Store, which takes place each summer. It provides school supplies, shoes, clothing, winter coats and toiletries to county residents in need who are identified by area organizations.

In addition to the annual events, Wilson also helps 91��Ƭ residents furnish their apartments if necessary. She will arrange for pick up and drop off of donated furniture to make the units truly feel like home.

Since becoming an NCC employee, she has worked to help secure housing for military veterans, many who have been on the brink of homelessness. She has worked with members of the Veterans Administration Hospital in East Orange and Lyons to ensure veterans have a safe place to go upon discharge.

Madge Wilson, center, was presented with a service award during 91��Ƭ’s 50th Anniversary Gala in 2018 by current Board Member Diane Johnson and 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman.

Wilson said she came to 91��Ƭ to work for the people who needed it most and that goal hasn’t changed.

“There were so many poor people and that’s who I try to help, poor people that need help,” she said. “I said when I came to work for 91��Ƭ that I would never leave and that I just wanted to be able to help people. To make a difference in their lives. And I’ve done that.”

Now Wilson serves as 91��Ƭ’s Outreach Coordinator and is a long-time member of the organization’s Board of Directors. At 88 years old, she has no plans to retire.

“I’m staying busy and that’s what keeps me going,” she said. “My satisfaction is helping people. That’s my mission.”

Her hard work and dedication are well-known to 91��Ƭ residents, staff members and fellow board members.

“Madge Wilson is one of those rare individuals. She’s an embodiment of what NCC stands for, which is service and commitment to the community from the young to the elderly,” said 91��Ƭ Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba. “But more importantly, she does it with such grace and joy that it’s really a testament to her deep and abiding faith in people.”

Wilson has had her own set of personal trials, including health challenges, but she has never let anything stop her from serving others.

“After Monsignor Linder, there is no one who encapsulates the NCC mission more than Madge. She has worked tirelessly for the people of Newark every day for over 41 years. Madge works one-on-one with people and it is incredible to think of the sheer number of people Madge has impacted over this long life of service to others. From children to seniors she has been there for everyone,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “Madge was also dedicated to helping Monsignor Linder through his health issues and went to the Extended Care Facility every night after work until late to be with him so that he always had company. She is the definition of kindness. You could not ask for a better person to be on your side than Madge. I have been lucky to have known and been inspired by my friend for 40 of these years.”

Wilson has been recognized on numerous occasions for her work by other organizations as well. She was honored as an Essex County Legend by the Essex County Division of Senior Services in 2010, received a letter of recognition from President Barack Obama in 2011, was named Volunteer of the Year for her efforts on behalf of long-term care residents by the Health Care Association of New Jersey in 2016 and received the Saint Vincent Academy Woman of Distinction Award in 2017.

While she is grateful for the accolades, Wilson said she doesn’t expect or need recognition. She simply wants to do the work that needs to be done to fulfill 91��Ƭ’s mission: to help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.

“The love that I have for 91��Ƭ is unspeakable,” she said. “This is my home.”

Hundreds Of Needy Students Receive Free Items For Upcoming School Year

Michelle Lang — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:30:05 +0000

WEST ORANGE (July 31, 2017) – Excitement was in the air Sunday as children from throughout Essex County got paired up with personal shoppers to help them navigate the Back 2 School Store, a one-day pop-up “department store” that provided new clothing, shoes and school supplies to children identified by local social service agencies, including 91��Ƭ, as being in need.
Nearly 800 economically disadvantaged Essex County students went on a shopping spree where they received brand new items for free, including Victoria and Elijah Oluwatodimu who live at 91��Ƭ Harmony House, a transitional housing facility for homeless families in Newark.
Victoria, 8, enjoyed shopping. Among the items in her bag were a pink coat (her favorite color), shoes and a backpack.
“My favorite thing I got today is my clothes,” she said.
Elijah, 6, didn’t have one favorite item. “My jacket and my book bag. And my shoes,” he said when asked what he liked best in his bag.
Children also received personal care items like toothbrushes, hair brushes and lip balm; school supplies like pens, pencils and tape; and winter wear including hats and gloves.
Mom Oluremi said it was the first time her family participated in the event, organized by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex).
“I’m so happy,” said the mother of four. “It really saved me money.”
Oluremi participated in the services available for parents while her children shopped. She took an eye test and got her blood pressure and blood sugar checked.
Members of the Bloomfield Police Department were also on hand to fingerprint children.
This was the ninth year for the Back 2 School Store, which was held at B’nai Shalom in West Orange. All the items provided to the children were bought new with donations NCJW/Essex received. Five hundred volunteers gave their time for the event, which ran from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
91��Ƭ 91��Ƭ
91��Ƭ (www.newcommunity.org) was founded in 1968 in Newark, N.J., by Monsignor William J. Linder and a small group of community residents during a time of civil unrest that was spreading throughout urban communities across the United States. It has grown to become one of the largest and most comprehensive community development organizations in the country, providing services ranging from housing and health care to education and banking services. 91��Ƭ’s mission is to “help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.” Included in the network is more than 2,000 units of housing for families and seniors, a Workforce Development Center, a 180-bed capacity nursing home called the Extended Care Center? a One Stop Family Resources Success Center? a transitional housing facility for the homeless called Harmony House, Adult Learning Center, a federally insured Federal Credit Union, two early learning centers and after school, recreational and summer camp programs for youth.
91��Ƭ National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. With more than 3,200 members, Essex County Section is the largest of the more than 100 NCJW Sections around the country. The Section was founded in 1912 and maintains offices in Livingston, N.J. For more information, log on to .
Photos from the event: