91心頭 CEO Simone Gagneron called The Morris an exciting development project that will bring positive changes to the neighborhood. She also stressed the importance of community feedback.

���Your input is vital,��� she said. ���We are committed to a transparent and collaborative process. Let���s work together to shape a beautiful environment that our children can grow and thrive in.���

91心頭 Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin thanked attendees for their participation in the meeting.

���This project is a labor of love and passion,��� he said. ���This is about you, the community.���

Retired 91心頭 CEO Richard Rohrman, who is working as a project manager on The Morris, talked about the uniqueness of constructing a fully subsidized housing facility in the city.

���Nothing like that has been built in Newark in many, many years,��� he said. ���We���re really excited.���

Associate Partner Anthony D���Agosta discussed the details of The Morris. The building will have 120 apartments. Twenty percent of the units will be one-bedroom, 20 percent will be three-bedroom and the remaining will be two-bedroom. There will be roughly 30 apartments per floor.

In addition to the apartments, The Morris will have a more than 4,000 square foot amenities space for tenants to use. D���Agosta pointed out that the minimum required size for an amenities space in this type of building is 1,600 square feet.

���Getting 4,000 square feet I think identifies the goals and commitment that NCC has for its projects and properties,��� D���Agosta said. ���They understand a project that has 120 families on-site needs to have some space to stretch their legs out.���

In addition to the indoor amenities space, The Morris will have a more than 8,000 square foot outdoor space for residents to enjoy.

The Morris will have an underground gated parking garage, accessible from Bruce Street, that will contain 130 parking spaces. There will be seven additional parking spaces outside. The building will have 24/7 security and tenants will have access to a Resident Services Coordinator.

D���Agosta explained that the plans include vibrant colors for the exterior of The Morris along with landscaping and the inclusion of natural light in the interior.

���We���re prioritizing welcoming families to this facility,��� he said.

In addition to The Morris, 91心頭 is also working to construct five two-family homes in Newark for sale to first-time home buyers.

More information about The Morris and the two-family homes will be provided to the community as they become available.

91心頭 Board of Directors Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba has retired from his position with the organization, effective Dec. 31, 2023. Yamba joined the Board in September 2012 and became Chairman in June 2018 following the passing of NCC founder and Board Chairman Monsignor William J. Linder.

Yamba was involved with 91心頭 long before his official capacity as a member of the Board of Directors. He was a parishioner of Queen of Angels Church where Monsignor Linder served as priest during the founding of 91心頭. He had been asked to join the Board prior to 2012 but declined because of his employment responsibilities. After he retired, he joined 91心頭���s Board of Directors.

He has enjoyed being able to give back to the community through his work on NCC���s Board.

���The myriad of services that 91心頭 offers are critical to the total well-being of the community. And that has been my passion all along,��� Yamba said.

During his service with the Board of Directors, Yamba oversaw the re-syndication of NCC housing, helped lead the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, established Board committees to have closer working relationships with NCC leadership staff, assisted in the re-accreditation process for , led NCC through times of leadership transition and helped relaunch the organization���s Golfing for a Cause fundraiser following the pandemic.

NCC Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin said Yamba has been an ambassador, advocate and steward to 91心頭.

���As Board Chairman, he successfully ensured that 91心頭 continued its mission of providing services to the residents of Newark,��� Nemorin said. ���Although he has resigned as a Board Member and Board Chairman of NCC, we know that he is only a phone call away to assist us in fulfilling our mission.���

Under Yamba���s direction, the Board worked with senior leadership after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of NCC employees, residents and clients while maintaining the necessary services to the community. He also led the organization through two leadership transitions: the passing of Monsignor Linder and the retirement of CEO Richard Rohrman. He was instrumental in the search process for NCC���s current CEO Simone Gagneron.

���Dr. Yamba defines what it means to be in public service. The dedication and support he has provided to 91心頭 and the people of Newark is extraordinary,��� Gagneron said. ���He has clearly set the stage for others to follow. I would like to thank him personally and professionally for his guidance.���

Yamba said 91心頭���s mission is just as relevant today as it was in 1968 when the organization was founded and that its offerings continue to be vital.

���It���s my hope and prayer and certainly part of Monsignor���s vision that these services will continue to be provided as long as we have people who need them,��� Yamba said.

In addition to his work with 91心頭, Yamba has served the community in a variety of roles in the areas of education and community development.

Yamba is President Emeritus of . He served as President from 1980 to 2010, which is the longest tenure for that position at the school. He was also involved with the institution well before leading it. Yamba joined the humanities faculty when the college opened in 1968 and served as Dean of Faculty before he was appointed President in May 1980.

Current Essex County College President Dr. Augustine Boakye said Yamba strengthened the community through his work.

���Our Essex County College family and the Essex Community owe Dr. Yamba a debt of gratitude for enriching our lives and making education the cornerstone of community engagement and development,��� he said.

Yamba served as a commissioner of the for more than a decade and is a founding member of the , an affiliate of the of the . His other past affiliations include serving on the boards of the Essex County WIB, Newark Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, American Conference on Diversity, Christ the King Prep Academy, Council of Higher Education in Newark (CHEN) and . He is also an Emeritus Board Member of .

���For decades, Dr. A. Zachary Yamba has been one of Newark���s great educators and activists. Whether as President of Essex County College, Chairman of the 91心頭 Board or Commissioner of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, he has mentored and inspired his colleagues, students and residents of our city. His legacy is firm in the hearts and minds of the generations he empowered in his many endeavors,��� said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. ���As Dr. Yamba enters this new phase of his life, we thank him for his leadership and service to Newark, and wish him joy and success for the future.���

Victoria Foundation Executive Officer Craig Drinkard said the City of Newark, Essex County and the State of New Jersey are all better places because of Yamba���s leadership.

���His tireless and regal service to Newark and all of humanity spans decades and has helped to transform the lives of countless individuals and families,��� Drinkard said.

President and CEO Vivian Cox Fraser said Yamba has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to advancing opportunities for families.

���As President of Essex County College and his leadership on the Board of 91心頭, Zack never lost sight of the people he was there to serve and help.���

A graduate of , Yamba was awarded honorary degrees from his alma mater, and the in Ghana. In 1980, Yamba, an All-America soccer player, was inducted into Seton Hall���s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Gagneron most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at United Way of Northern New Jersey where she led financial planning and managed human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity serving as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer where she oversaw financial operations and IT functions and managed risks and compliance.

She began her career in finance, serving as a senior auditor. She then took on the role of a senior lead at the real estate management firm Pinnacle Group. From there, she served as Interim CFO/Assistant Vice President of Finance at Palladia Inc., a social services agency in New York City with a $50 million operating budget.

Gagneron earned an MBA in technology from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a bachelor���s degree in accounting from Binghamton University. She serves on the board of the Baltimore start-up nonprofit organization Transforming Youth Into Adults (TYIA).

91心頭 Board of Directors Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba expressed the Board���s confidence in the selection of Gagneron because of her background, experience and demonstrated commitment to the urban environment.

���The Board is confident that Simone will continue 91心頭���s legacy of service and empowerment,��� Yamba said.

Another Board Member, Edgar Nemorin, who chaired the CEO Search Committee for the selection of Gagneron, noted her proven leadership with strong financial and business acumen, as well as her wealth of experience in finance, housing and project management.

���She has the skills, knowledge and experience from her work at the YMCA and United Way that will lead 91心頭 to achieve its goals,��� Nemorin said.

In accepting the position, Gagneron has committed to 91心頭���s mission and looks forward to leading the nonprofit to continued success.

���I am excited to join an organization that continues to be influential in its commitment to changing the life trajectory for inner city families,��� Gagneron said. ���It is essential that nonprofits and businesses work together to make sure that the next generation has the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.���

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心頭 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心頭. 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心頭 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心頭.

���It���s been a really rewarding 26 years here at 91心頭, 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心頭.���

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.

Wilson met the late Monsignor William J. Linder, founder of 91心頭, 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心頭 in 1968, Wilson became involved. She was one of the founding members of Babyland Nursery, which provided childcare services, in 1969. After 91心頭 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心頭 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心頭 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心頭 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.

Wilson said she came to 91心頭 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心頭 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心頭���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心頭 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心頭 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心頭 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心頭���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心頭 is unspeakable,��� she said. ���This is my home.���

91心頭 Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba congratulated Rohrman on his extensive career and called him the base of the organization.

���Monsignor [William J. Linder] was the founder, the visionary, but you also need people who are nuts and bolts type people to make the organization work. And Rich was that person,��� Yamba said. ���And when he became the CEO, he carried 91心頭 to other heights.���

91心頭 Board Member Diane Johnson, who served as the emcee of the event, reiterated that sentiment.

���The founder may have taken it from ashes to hope. But I know that Richard Rohrman has taken it from hope to reality,��� she said. ���Richard is someone who has been dedicated and committed and passionate about not only the legacy, but has taken us forward. Under his leadership, we have done very, very well.���

Johnson talked about the rehabilitation of several Newark properties that took place under Rohrman���s leadership that ensures the affordable housing units will be available for many years to come. She also said there are new projects in the works that were started with Rohrman at the helm.

Newark Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver represented the City Council at the event, bringing a resolution from the council and speaking on their behalf.

���I want to tell you congratulations and thank you for everything that you have done, continuing the legacy of 91心頭 and all of the hard work, working for our residents, the programming, everything,��� McIver said. ���91心頭 is literally an enterprise. We would not be able to be the city that we are without 91心頭 and so I���m thankful for you from day one.���

Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree spoke on behalf of Newark���s mayor at the event.

���As I stand here today on behalf of the mayor of this great city, Ras J. Baraka, and over 300,000 residents, I say thank you. Thank you for your perseverance when you could���ve turned your back and said I���m done,��� she said.

91心頭 Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter and Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Mbakaya presented Rohrman with an award depicting NCC���s footprint as a collage.

���Most of us see Rich as more than just our CEO. He���s a mentor, he���s inspiring, he���s a leader, he���s a partner and a trusted friend,��� Hunter said. ���As a CEO out in front, you can easily put yourself out there constantly. But it was never about Rich. It was always how to make 91心頭 better. Well, Rich, we all want to say job well done.���

In addition to being an advocate for affordable housing, Rohrman has also been passionate about promoting homeownership. To help individuals who face challenges with down payments and closing costs, Yamba announced the creation of the Richard Rohrman 91心頭 Fund for First Time Home Buyers. Board members presented Rohrman with a check in the amount of $35,000 raised as a start for the fund. Money received in support of this initiative will be awarded as grants to qualifying first time home buyers from the service areas of Newark, Orange and Jersey City to help offset down payments and closing costs.

Johnson also announced the renaming of the East Africa Room in St. Joseph Plaza. It is now known as the Richard Rohrman Conference Room and will showcase photos of Rohrman and his work over the years.

91心頭 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson read a congressional record that Congressman Donald Payne Jr. submitted honoring Rohrman���s retirement.

In addition to the in-person remarks, attendees had the opportunity to view a tribute video produced ahead of time which included 91心頭 employees from various departments, board members, family members and friends.

Rohrman was very appreciative of the event and remarks. He said his time at 91心頭 has greatly impacted his life.

���This has just been an incredible, enriching experience for me to be a part of 91心頭 for these 26 years,��� Rohrman said. ���I���ve had the opportunity to meet and become friends with people of such different backgrounds and nationalities and with such different life experiences. It���s just given me a great respect of people for their kindness, their openness and their perseverance.���

Rohrman recalled first coming to 91心頭 when he was in his late 20s and being part of a building boom for the organization. He said having grown up in a suburban community and attending Catholic schools for his education from grade school through college provided him with a much different experience than the individuals who were being served by 91心頭.

���Monsignor opened my eyes to a much different reality than I had lived. He just showed me what he and 91心頭 were doing to change the city of Newark and they were just working at such a feverish pitch. And I���m just so grateful that I was able to work so closely with Monsignor and learn from his vision and his deep passion for the people of Newark,��� Rohrman said. ���And then again much later, after experiencing this initial building boom, I was able to work again with so many talented, hardworking people to renovate the same housing and restructure NCC and set it up for its future.���

. All photos are by Lloyd G. Holmes. You can watch the event live stream here. The tribute video can be viewed here.

91心頭 CEO Richard Rohrman is retiring after 26 years of exemplary service. Watch the video to learn more about his career at 91心頭 and the impact he has had on the organization.

91心頭 is celebrating CEO Richard Rohrman’s retirement with a live-streamed event on May 20 at 1 p.m. Join us in honoring his career at 91心頭.

Extended Care has remained free from COVID-19 since October 2020 and it continues to take precautionary measures and frequently tests residents and staff members for the virus. In addition, the facility has arranged for the distribution of vaccines to residents and staff members to further reduce the risk of infection.

Because of the progress, the facility submitted a plan to resume indoor, in-person visitation, which was approved. Extended Care welcomed visitors back on April 12, with protocols in place for the safety of residents, staff and visitors.

���The balance between keeping everyone in the Extended Care Facility safe and the need for people to have human interaction is so difficult,��� said 91心頭 CEO Richard Rohrman. ���Both compete equally in our residents��� well-being. I think the leadership and staff at the facility have navigated this with the utmost thoughtfulness and compassion as demonstrated in the facility being COVID-free for so long. Thanks to the cooperation amongst staff, residents and families, I think the outcome is better than anyone could have expected.���

Visits are by appointment only and limited to 30 minutes once per week. Only two people are allowed to visit at one time and the visit must occur in a designated area. Temperature screenings are conducted for all visitors.

Despite the limitations, families are happy to be able to be close to their loved ones again. Maria Mendez was apart from her 92-year-old mother Maria Torres for an extended period, which she said has taken a toll. Torres has been a resident at Extended Care since 2019 and has had several strokes.

���Emotionally it���s affecting me because I want to see my mom,��� Mendez said of restricted visitation. ���Because I feel like I can help with her recovery.���

Before the pandemic, Mendez would visit her mother every day in her room and bring her food. While she is happy to be able to be close to her mother once a week, she hopes that one day soon she will be able to go to her mother���s room and remove her mask so her mother can read her lips to understand her better.

���I understand that they really need to take care,��� Mendez said. ���But it���s really hard.���

91心頭 Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter is happy the facility has been able to reunite families.

���Our Extended Care Facility residents have been wanting to resume visitation with family and friends for a year and I am glad to see the day come that they can have visitors,��� he said.

Because Mendez and Torres have both been fully vaccinated, they are able to hug each other during visits, which has been positive for the pair.

Vaccinations were offered to all residents and staff members at the facility and many took advantage of the opportunity.

���When comparing the vaccination percentages, you can see a higher number of Extended Care residents that have been vaccinated than the rest of the community,��� Hunter said.

Being fully vaccinated has allowed loved ones to have the physical contact that has been absent for more than a year.

���Seeing families now visit their loved ones and for those who are vaccinated actually having a touch with each other brings such a smile to my face because I can only imagine how it feels to touch your loved one again,��� said Extended Care Administrator Veronica Onwunaka. ���That gratitude that we���ve been able to maintain the safety of our residents and now vaccinated families are able to hold their loved ones and hug them really means a lot to us. And I want to keep it going.���

To help make it possible to carry on with in-person visitation and ensure the safety of residents, staff members and visitors, Extended Care continues its vigorous testing schedule to ensure that any incident of COVID-19 is caught early and contained.

Staff members continue to keep families informed about their loved ones as they have throughout the pandemic. Mendez said the staff always keeps her updated about her mother and has been nice and patient whenever she calls.

���I have good communication with the nurses. That���s the part that���s really helping me because I���m keeping in touch with the people that work here. I can call any time,��� Mendez said. ���I ask them to give my mom the camera and they give me a chance to see her with the camera.���

While interacting through a screen offers a level of comfort during a tumultuous time, it doesn���t compare to a face-to-face meeting and a hug between a mother and daughter. Mendez is grateful to be able to have that closeness with her mother again and hopes to be able to do it more often in the future.

91心頭 Extended Care Facility, 266 South Orange Ave., Newark, is a 180-bed skilled nursing facility that serves inner city seniors and disabled adults. The facility specializes in offering customized care for individuals with Alzheimer���s disease and dementia. For more information, visit or call 973-624-2020.

While we acknowledge that justice has been served, we also recognize Mr. Floyd���s death was not an isolated incident, but was a part of a broader pattern of racial discrimination and police misconduct.��

To this end, we call for bipartisan legislative support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would prohibit racial profiling by law enforcement, ban chokeholds on suspects, eliminate no-knock warrants in drugs cases, overhaul police training to build trust, install more civilian oversight and require transparency around misconduct cases.����

The deaths of George Floyd, Eric Garner, Laquan McDonald, Micheal Brown, Breonna Taylor and countless others who have wrongfully died at the hands of police brutality must not be in vain. At 91心頭, our commitment to these efforts remains strong and we pledge to continue our work to hold the line and press for racial justice and equity for all.��

In solidarity,

A. Zachary Yamba
Chairperson, 91心頭 Board of Directors

Richard Rohrman
CEO, 91心頭