St. Rose of Lima Church – 91��Ƭ

Longtime Security Personnel Reflect on Time at 91��Ƭ

Michelle Lang — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:49:20 +0000

It’s rare for an individual to stay with a particular company for decades, but there are five members of 91��Ƭ’s Security Department who have worked for the organization for 30 years or more. Jerome Barrow, William Folsom, Michelle Grier-Porch, Malinda Liptrot and Gerard Mansare have more than 165 years of service to 91��Ƭ combined.

Folsom has the longest tenure with 91��Ƭ. He will celebrate 40 years as a security officer in August. He has worked mainly in the organization’s residential buildings, with Hudson Senior in Jersey City currently serving as his main post. He started his NCC career at Extended Care where he met his wife who was working in the facility’s kitchen. The couple will celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary in August.

He enjoys his work and doesn’t have plans to leave.

“I could retire now but I’m just not ready to sit back yet,” Folsom said. “I like being around different people.”

Grier-Porch greets visitors at the 91��Ƭ Health Care Building, which houses , , the Family Resource Success Center, Family Service Bureau of Newark (FSB) and Supportive Assistance to Individuals and Families (SAIF). She has worked at 91��Ƭ for nearly 34 years as a security officer, serving in residential buildings and , which used to fall under NCC, in addition to her current post.

She plans to stay at 91��Ƭ until retirement.

“I love my job. I love working with the people that I work with,” Grier-Porch said. “91��Ƭ’s a good place to be.”

Mansare will reach 30 years at 91��Ƭ in August. He first learned about 91��Ƭ from NCC’s late founder Monsignor William J. Linder, who was serving as the pastor at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark. Mansare is a very traditional Catholic and was searching for a church after coming to the United States from Guinea in West Africa. He found St. Rose of Lima and became close with Monsignor Linder who encouraged him to continue his education and told him about the security positions available at 91��Ƭ.

Monsignor Linder connected Mansare to lawyers to help him bring his fiance to the United States. He wed the couple and baptized each of their three children. Mansare’s connection to Monsignor Linder and his coworkers has kept him at the organization.

“I love 91��Ƭ,” he said. “It’s like a family.”

Security Sgt. Barrow has worked at 91��Ƭ for about 30 years. He left the organization for a time to deal with family issues but decided to return.

“I came back because I love 91��Ƭ,” he said. “I loved the job I was doing.”

Barrow first came to 91��Ƭ as a security officer in 1979, shortly after the organization had finished construction on many of its residential buildings. He has worked at a variety of sites and all shifts and was promoted to supervisor. He now supervises the 4 p.m. to midnight shift, ensuring the safety and security of residents, staff members and 91��Ƭ property.

Security Operations Manager Derek White is proud of the longtime personnel on his staff.

“They are all an asset to NCC and continue to help residents improve the quality of their lives,” he said. “I’d like to personally thank them for all they have done and continue to do. Their contributions are an important part of our continued success.”

The group of longtime employees has seen many changes over the years, including the expansion of buildings and services. Folsom remembers the creation of Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, as well as the opening of the Health Care Building. The group also saw residential buildings go up and the rehabilitation of properties.

Commitment to 91��Ƭ’s mission, a desire to help others and a sense of camaraderie has kept the longtime members of the Security Department at the organization.

“In the Security Department, we all stick together to try to make everything better than before,” Barrow said. “You learn from your mistakes, build from your mistakes and you move on.”

While some are nearing retirement, they’re happy to come to work each day.

“Anybody that comes in that needs help, 91��Ƭ is there,” Grier-Porch said. “I’m glad that we can be of help to them.”

91��Ƭ Thanks Its Holiday Donors

Michelle Lang — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 20:44:03 +0000

Supporters of 91��Ƭ and St. Rose of Lima Church generously donated gifts and other goods to families in need during the 2021 holiday season.

91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson coordinated the annual Toy Drive as she has done for many years. She had the following message:

Our children always get excited about Christmas when the first ad appears on television. It was no different this year. When I sent out the Christmas wish list, it was returned with so many wishes. I tried very hard to be sure that the children received all of their wishes and desires.

This was an extraordinary holiday season because the sponsors and donors went over and above to be sure that every child got what they wanted. For that, I am so truly grateful and appreciative of their kindness.

I look forward with great anticipation each year to coordinate the toy drive because it is a joy for me to see those little happy faces and bright eyes sparkle with glee.

I have a motto: “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Our donors expressed their love for our children.

In addition to the generosity and thoughtfulness of the donations of Christmas gifts for the annual Toy Drive, 91��Ƭ also had donors that were concerned that our families wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving meal together so a collection of turkeys was coordinated by St. Rose of Lima Church, Short Hills, N.J. For more information about the turkey drive, click here.

We are deeply grateful to the following groups and individuals for spreading the spirit of joy during the 2021 holiday season:

St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton, N.J. – Brother Bernardo Lee, donated Christmas trees
Mr. Mark Carelli and Family, Maplewood, N.J.
Weichert Realty (The Mill), Maplewood, N.J. – Rebecca Berenson, Coordinator
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, South Orange, N.J. – Jonathan Arena and Anne Moore, Coordinators
Fire Chief Robert Echavarria, Millburn Fire Department, and coworkers
Frank Consentine, Somerset, N.J.
St. Helen Catholic Church, Westfield, N.J. – Marilyn Ryans, Coordinator
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Summit, N.J. – Brian Topping, coworkers and students
St. Rose of Lima Academy, Short Hills, N.J. – Elizabeth Guarnieri and Dan Solazzi, Coordinators
Our Lady of the Lake, Verona, N.J. – Barbara Yates, Coordinator
Notre Dame Catholic Parish, North Caldwell, N.J. ? Donna Zarros, Coordinator
Seton Hall University School of Law and The Thomas More Society – Father Nicholas Gengaro, Coordinator
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Bloomfield, N.J. – Lorraine McMillian and Judy Nitkowski, Coordinators
Glenwood Elementary School, Short Hills, N.J.
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Summit, N.J. – Margaret Strong and Theresa Sweeney
Church of the Assumption Catholic Church, Emerson, N.J. – Sandy Johnson, Coordinator
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Cedar Grove, N.J. – Brenda Pereira and Denise Parkes
Meyner and Landis, Counselors at Law, Newark, N.J. – Cindy Oliveira Oswald and coworkers
Mr. and Mrs. Desfardins, Maplewood, N.J.
Columbia High School, Maplewood, N.J. – Marcia Hicks and students
Kathryn Grifonetti and Matthew Perricone of the Leonidas Foundation
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, West Orange, N.J. – Pat Paxton, Coordinator

91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson, center, accepts donations of presents from Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child instructors Brian Topping and Michele Van Kalsbeck. Ali Jenkins of 91��Ƭ, left, helped collect the donations from the Catholic school located in Summit. Photo courtesy of James McEvoy.

Father Nicholas Gengaro of Seton Hall School of Law and the Thomas More Society presents 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson with items for the organization’s annual Toy Drive. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

Members of Columbia High School in Maplewood contributed to the 91��Ƭ Toy Drive, organized by instructor Marcia Hicks. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

A family enjoys their presents from the 91��Ƭ Toy Drive. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson accepts donations from Jeff Wanamaker of the Millburn Fire Department. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

Members of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Summit contributed to the 91��Ƭ Toy Drive thanks to Margaret Strong and Theresa Sweeney who coordinated the donations along with volunteers. 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson, third from right, and Ali Jenkins, second from right, picked up the items for distribution. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

A parent from Glenwood Elementary School in Short Hills presents 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson, right, with gifts for the annual toy drive. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

Providing for Happy Holidays

Michelle Lang — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:50:31 +0000

Monsignor Robert Harahan, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, and church parishioners hosted a turkey and food drive on Nov. 20 for members of their sister church, St. Rose of Lima in Newark. Participants collected items for the Thanksgiving holiday and 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson collected them for distribution.

The parishioners who organized and participated included coordinator Michael Roberts, retired chief of the Millburn Fire Department; Kathryn Grifonetti, Charitable Initiatives Director of the Leonidas Foundation; and Matthew Perricone, President of the Leonidas Foundation.

During Roberts’ tenure with the Millburn Fire Department, he led a toy drive to support the children of 91��Ƭ and St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark for the Christmas holiday. Even in retirement, he makes sure that the toy drive is carried out each year. Wilson is involved in the pickup and distribution of many gifts to children during the Christmas season.

91��Ƭ thanks the church members for their kindness and generosity.

Photos:

Group shot: Parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, including members of the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, pose during the turkey and food drive held on Nov. 20. 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson, standing in the center, arranged for pickup and distribution prior to Thanksgiving. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

Pair: Retired Millburn Fire Department Chief Michael Roberts stands with 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson at the St. Rose of Lima turkey and food drive on Nov. 20 in Short Hills. Roberts has held a toy drive with the fire department to provide Christmas gifts to the children of 91��Ƭ and St. Rose of Lima in Newark. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

91��Ƭ Thanks Our Holiday Donors

Michelle Lang — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 22:01:24 +0000

Supporters of 91��Ƭ and St. Rose of Lima Church generously donated turkeys, gifts and other goods to families in need during both Christmas and Thanksgiving. The efforts were coordinated by Madge Wilson, NCC Board Member and Outreach Coordinator. More than 1,000 gifts were distributed. We are deeply grateful to the following groups and individuals for spreading the spirit of joy during the 2020 holiday season:

St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton, N.J. – Bro. Bernardo Lee and the Monks, Donated Christmas Trees
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Carelli and Family, Maplewood, N.J.
Weichert Realty, Maplewood, N.J. – Rebecca Berenson and Coworkers
Our Lady of Sorrow Parish, South Orange, N.J. – Jonathan and Rita Arena and Parishioners
Millburn Fire Department – Fire Chief Robert Echavarria and Nicole Verducci, Millburn, N.J. and Coworkers
Frank Consentino, Gillette, N.J.
St. Helen’s Catholic Parish – Marilyn Ryan, Westfield, N.J. and Parishioners
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Summit, N.J. – Brian Topping and Coworkers
St. Rose of Lima Academy – Elizabeth Guarnieri, Betsy Guarnieri, Dan Solazzi and Parents
Our Lady of the Lake, Verona, N.J. – Ursla Conrad and Parishioners
Notre Dame Catholic Parish, North Caldwell, N.J. – Donna Zarros and Parishioners
Seton Hall University School of Law and The Thomas More Society, Newark, N.J. – Fr. Nicholas Gengaro
St. Thomas Parish, Bloomfield, N.J. – Lorraine McMillian and Parishioners
Glenwood Elementary School, Short Hills, N.J.
St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, N.J. – Margaret Strong, Theresa and Parishioners
St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Cedar Grove, N.J. – Brenda Pereira and Parishioners
Meyner & Landis, Counsellors at Law, Newark, N.J. – Cindy Oliveira and Coworkers
Capital One Bank, Union, N.J. – Diane Dacunha and Coworkers
Mr. and Mrs. Desjardins, Maplewood, N.J.
Columbia/Maplewood High School, Maplewood, N.J. – Marsha Hicks and Students
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, West Orange, N.J. – Pat Paxton and Parishioners
St. Pius X Catholic Church, Old Tappan, N.J. – Kathyrn Grifonette and Parishioners

Thanksgiving Turkey Donations

St. Rose of Lima Parish, Short Hills, N.J. – Ed Langley and Parishioners

91��Ƭ Thanks Our Holiday Donors

Michelle Lang — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:16:29 +0000

Supporters of 91��Ƭ generously donated turkeys, gifts and other goods to families in need during both Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are deeply grateful to the following groups and individuals for spreading the spirit of joy during the 2015 holiday season:

• St. Paul’s Abbey of Newton – Fr. Odilo Yi

• St. Catherine of Sienna, Cedar Grove – Eileen Rendeiro and parishioners

• Mr. & Mrs. Mark Carelli and family, Maplewood

• Weichert Realty, Maplewood – Rebecca Berenson, office staff

• Our Lady of Sorrow Parish, South Orange – Mark & Sarah Duggan and parishioners

• Millburn Fire Department – Chief Michael Roberts and staff

• Mr. Frank Consentino

• St. Helen’s Catholic Parish, Westfield – Marilyn Ryan and parishioners

• Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Summit – Kathleen Lynch, Sarah Denaro and Brian Toppin

• St. Rose of Lima Academy, Short Hills – Patty Nascone, Barbara Bradshaw and parishioners

• Our Lady of the Lake, Verona – Margaret Gardner and parishioners

• Notre Dame Catholic Parish, North Caldwell – Donna Zarros and parishioners

• Seton Hall University School of Law – Fr. Nicholas Gengaro and the Thomas More Society

• St. Thomas Parish, Bloomfield – Lorraine McMillan and parishioners

• St. Andrews Catholic Parish, Westwood – Gail Stamatopaulas and parishioners

• Team Hope at Glenwood School, Short Hills – Penina Barr, teachers, and students

• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Forlini, Newark

• St. Theresa of Avila Parish, Summit – Margaret Strong, coordinator, and parishioners

• Church of the Assumption Parish, Emerson – parishioners and the Social Concerns Committee

• Damascus Bakery – Wanda Hightower

• 91��Ƭ employees

Monsignor William J. Linder, Founder Of 91��Ƭ, Has Passed Away

Michelle Lang — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 21:40:47 +0000

Monsignor William J. Linder, a pioneer in America’s community development movement who founded 91��Ƭ in 1968, passed away June 8. He was 82.

91��Ƭ is a nonprofit organization that transformed a blighted area of Newark following the 1967 riots by building new housing and providing critical services like job training.

Under Monsignor’s leadership, 91��Ƭ grew from a single housing development to an entire network of facilities and services, today encompassing close to 2,000 units of housing for seniors and families in three New Jersey cities, in addition to providing child care, education, health care and a host of other services that make it one of the most holistic in its approach in the community development arena. Monsignor’s goal from the very beginning was ambitious, radical and unlike anything ever attempted in an inner-city environment at the time: creating a planned community within an old, existing city that would provide residents with all the services they need from birth to death.

“The people of the city of Newark have lost their greatest and most persistent champion,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “There is physical evidence of Monsignor Linder’s legacy throughout the city, but his most important legacy is the difference he’s made in many people’s lives through the 91��Ƭ mission. He always worked to preserve people’s God-given dignity and helped them pursue personal achievement. We at 91��Ƭ will continue to serve residents with Monsignor Linder’s vision in mind.”

The model of community development Monsignor created attracted visitors from around the world, including places like Ireland and Africa. His work also drew the attention of leaders like Bill and Hillary Clinton — she visited 91��Ƭ back in the 1980s. Former South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and Former U.S. Housing Secretary Jack Kemp also visited.

Today, 91��Ƭ owns and operates its own nursing home; a 102-apartment transitional housing facility for homeless families called Harmony House and 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center, an accredited post-secondary career and technical school offering programs in automotive technician, building trades, culinary arts and health care. Monsignor was also the catalyst behind the opening of the Adult Learning Center and a charter school in the city’s West Ward in 2011.

Against the will of the city’s political leadership, Monsignor, back in the late 1980s, is credited with opening one of the first child care centers in the nation and the first in New Jersey for infants and toddlers suffering with HIV/AIDS, one of his proudest accomplishments. He was never one to back away from a confrontation if it meant that in the end a mother, grandmother or child would receive the benefit.

Through Monsignor’s vision and leadership, 91��Ƭ recently finished construction on A Better Life, a supportive housing facility for the chronically homeless. The building offers studio apartments each with a private bathroom and kitchen area.

Born in Jersey City on June 5, 1936, Monsignor grew up in West New York and enrolled in Manhattan College to study engineering in 1954. However, halfway through his freshman year, Monsignor’s father suddenly died at age 53. Monsignor finished the semester at Manhattan College and then spent the next two years at Seton Hall University studying classical language and philosophy. In the fall of 1958, he entered the Immaculate Conception Seminary, where he spent his next six years. Monsignor was ordained as a priest on May 25, 1963. At age 27, Monsignor received his pastoral assignment for the all-black parish called Queen of Angels in Newark, and founded 91��Ƭ with a small group of community-minded residents in 1968. In 1973, Monsignor was abruptly removed from Queen of Angels and exiled to the dormant St. Joseph Parish in Newark. In 1974, he was reassigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish in the Roseville section of Newark, where he became its pastor in 1977. Monsignor retired as pastor of St. Rose of Lima in 2012 at age 76.

Monsignor previously served as the CEO of 91��Ƭ. He was serving as the president of the 91��Ƭ Board of Directors and remained active within the organization until his death.

Services to honor and celebrate Monsignor’s life have been scheduled as follows:

Viewing
Thursday, June 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.
St. Rose of Lima Church
11 Gray St.
Newark, NJ 07107

Vigil Mass
Thursday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
St. Rose of Lima Church
11 Gray St.
Newark, NJ 07107

Funeral Mass
Saturday, June 16 at 11 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
89 Ridge St.
Newark, NJ 07104

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to 233 West Market St., Newark, NJ 07103.