Newark Housing Authority – 91��Ƭ

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.”

Remembering Founding NCC Board Member And Newark’s First Black Mayor Ken Gibson

Michelle Lang — Fri, 03 May 2019 13:35:37 +0000

Ken Gibson was a founding board member for 91��Ƭ, as well as Newark’s first black mayor. Photo courtesy of Tracey Battles.

Ken Gibson is best known for being the first black mayor of Newark, but he was also a founding board member of 91��Ƭ. He passed away March 29 at the age of 86.
“Ken Gibson was a groundbreaker and was associated with 91��Ƭ from its inception. He had a profound influence on the city and will be missed dearly,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman.
91��Ƭ Board President Dr. A. Zachary Yamba said Gibson was very dedicated to the city of Newark. Yamba said Gibson put a high priority on employment and training and was instrumental in the push to keep Essex County College in Newark when others were trying to move it to the suburbs. Yamba also called him a gentleman mayor.
“His personality was such that he always welcomed you. He didn’t push you off when you went to see him,” Yamba said. “I really admired him for that. I appreciated that relationship and certainly his passing is a great loss for all of us.”
Gibson spent the early part of his life in Alabama. He moved to the Central Ward of Newark with his parents when he was 8 years old. He attended Central High School and Newark College of Engineering (which is now NJIT). He was an engineering aide for the New Jersey State Highway Department, an engineer for the Newark Housing Authority and the treasurer of the United Essex Civic Association.
He first ran for mayor of Newark in 1966. He lost the race, but received a sizable amount of votes, which was encouraging enough for him to run again in 1970, when he won. Gibson served as mayor until 1986. He is the city’s longest-serving mayor.
In between his first two bids for office, the Newark Rebellion took place in the summer of 1967. After that, 91��Ƭ Director of Community Engagement Richard Cammarieri said activists focused on two areas: electing a mayor and city council that reflected the makeup of the city and improving conditions so residents could thrive.
Cammarieri explained that Gibson was involved in both of those initiatives, with politics and as a founding board member for NCC, which was incorporated in 1968.
“In many ways Ken Gibson was at the intersection of these interrelated and complementary impulses: electoral political organizing and neighborhood-based community development,” Cammarieri said.
After Gibson became mayor and was no longer a board member for NCC, he still kept a strong relationship with the organization. Current 91��Ƭ Board Member Newton Richards said Gibson was instrumental in helping NCC further its goals.
“He was really indispensable to us. He helped in our early progress. He expedited our interests in making up for the shortage in affordable housing. And getting the first supermarket, which was Pathmark, built. Because he had contact with the state and federal government,” Richards said. “He was a fantastic guy.”
Current Newark Mayor Ras Baraka praised Gibson for his service both to the city and the African-American community.
“He led in a tumultuous and difficult time as the city tried to recover from the Newark Rebellion. He will be remembered in his effort to live up to his words, ‘Wherever the country is going, Newark will get there first,’” Baraka said in a statement. “He set the stage for every African-American elected official in this state. We stand on his accomplishment and grow from his challenges.”
Before his passing in 2018, 91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder wrote about Gibson and how he was tied to NCC long after he left the board.
“What 91��Ƭ was accomplishing made Mayor Ken Gibson very proud, considering he was an original board member. More importantly, under his leadership, 91��Ƭ had prospered and gained prominent recognition,” Monsignor Linder wrote. “Gibson and 91��Ƭ were a winning combination.”

Better Life Open House Highlights Programs And Services

Michelle Lang — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:53:04 +0000

91��Ƭ and hosted an open house at Better Life Nov. 15 to showcase the various programs and services offered to the community.

Better Life, which is located at 101 Fourteenth Ave., Newark, has three distinct programs at the location. The first floor houses the Better Life Engagement Center, which connects the homeless to services and offers a place for homeless individuals to come for help getting documents, help with a search for permanent housing and jobs, referrals to detox if requested and meals. Also on the first floor is Essex County Wellness Respite Services, which is a hospital diversion program that offers 10-day stays to individuals in crisis who are dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues. CSPNJ runs both programs on the first floor. On the second floor of Better Life, there are 20 apartments for formerly chronically homeless individuals. provides the services for those residents, though they also work with CSPNJ and are welcome at the downstairs Engagement Center. 91��Ƭ owns and manages Better Life, providing property management, security and maintenance.

NCC CEO Richard Rohrman explained that Better Life took 10 years to complete, but it represents great partnerships, both in the construction phase and the services provided.

“Monsignor’s vision and 91��Ƭ’s vision really centers on dignity. Dignity for everybody. All of us, at some point in our lives, someone came along and gave us a boost,” Rohrman said. “We’re just here to give folks the boost they need. And we’re just pleased to be part of it.”

Better Life Recovery Center Manager Shareatha Webster told the open house attendees that the reason for the facility is the vision of 91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder.

“Because he took action, it allowed a partnership to be formed,” she said. “When vision meets purpose, it creates an explosion. As a result of this, we have the Engagement Center today, we have respite services and the 20-unit studio apartments.”

CSPNJ Chief Operating Officer Mark Duffy praised staff members at Better Life and explained that the majority of CSPNJ employees have experience with mental illness, which helps them connect with and better understand those they serve.

“Because of 91��Ƭ we have this gorgeous building and we have these wonderful partners who come together to produce a very vital service and also a community where people are members of it,” he said.

James Shipman of Rutgers UBHC was responsible for filling up the apartments on the second floor of Better Life. While the need for supportive housing is great, it wasn’t that easy to fulfill all the requirements necessary, which included reviews by Rutgers UBHC, NCC and the .

“Today I’m happy to say we have 100 percent occupancy upstairs. It’s amazing. You had people who were on the street, the subway, wherever they were being homeless,” he said. “And it’s just a great feeling to know they have been successfully housed today.”

In addition to an apartment, Better Life residents receive support services from Rutgers UBHC. Shipman explained that staff members sit down with each client to develop an individual recovery plan and work with them on their issues. Residents are also encouraged to visit the Engagement Center and utilize the services CSPNJ provides. CSPNJ personnel also helped some residents secure documents they needed during the application process that they were missing.

Those who come to Better Life aren’t just getting an apartment, a meal or access to services. They also are able to make connections with people going through similar experiences and they often volunteer their time to help ensure the Engagement Center keeps operating smoothly.

Jarell Mann is a resident at Better Life and also a staff member. He shared his story with those at the open house, saying he was lost before entering the facility. When he saw what was happening at the Engagement Center, he decided to give back.

“It gave me purpose and inspiration. You never know what true service is until you really start giving back,” he said. “It’s truly been a better life.”

Open house attendees were able to tour the Engagement Center, respite area and an apartment on the second floor. They were also able to speak with staff members and ask any questions about operations.