State of the City 2015 report

Mayor Ras J. Baraka

State City of the

2015 Report March 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents 3

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

A SAFER CITY

Public Safety, Police, Fire and Prisoner Re-entry

A MORE PROSPEROUS CITY

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Jobs, Cost Savings and Technology

A MODEL CITY

Groundbreaking policy initiatives, My Brother’s Keeper and Model Neighborhoods

A DESTINATION CITY

Economic Development, Arts, Culture and Tourism

A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CITY

Public Health, Sanitation, Education and Recreation

A CITY WE CAN ALL BELIEVE IN

Special Projects, Centers of Hope, Clergy Affairs and Senior Initiatives

CITY OF NEWARK Ras J. Baraka, Mayor

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Mildred C. Crump, Council President/Council Member-at-Large Augusto Amador, Council Member, East Ward Carlos M. Gonzalez, Council Member-at-Large John Sharpe James, Council Member, South Ward Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, Council Member, Central Ward Joseph A. McCallum, Jr., Council Member, West Ward Eddie Osborne, Council Member-at-Large Luis A. Quintana, Council Member-at-Large Anibal Ramos Jr., Council Member, North Ward

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City of Newark • March 2015

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Message from the Mayor

DEAR NEWARKERS: We stand on the edge of the 350th anniversary of Newark’s founding as a community.

This is a time to celebrate. For three-and-a-half centuries, from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Era and beyond, one phrase has defined the achievements of our residents, in every field: We are Newark.

Our ancestors said this when they founded this City; when they built factories and businesses that powered America’s growth; when they came here from other states and nations to build our community and add to its diversity; when they came here to create great institutions of the arts and learning; when they united as a people to stand up for justice, equality, and the transformation of our entire nation. As the great Kenneth A. Gibson said, “Wherever America’s cities are going, Newark will get there first.”

Today Newark is transforming itself at the will of our united people. You have chosen our team to lead, listen to, and serve you. We have made this transformation our highest priority with groundbreaking initiatives in public safety, economic development, housing, and community engagement, while achieving fiscal stability. Together, these initiatives are transforming Newark into a City we can all believe in, and a model for the entire nation on just what a City should be for all of its residents, stakeholders, and visitors.

This report will review our accomplishments and outline our agenda for the future. In all of these aspects, we will speak as one voice, to one point, to achieve one unity. We are Newark.

All the best!

Ras J. Baraka Mayor

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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A SAFER CITY

­ chievements A in Public ­Safety: Police and Fire Mayor Ras J. Baraka swore in the first new police recruit class since 2010 on September 5, 2014. Of the 35 recruits are five females.

O

ne of the top priorities of this administration has been to make Newark a safer city for all of our residents, businesses and visitors. In addition to increasing police officer patrols in known high-crime areas, the administration has decreased response time to serious crimes. It has reduced shooting and robbery incidents by 20% and hired new recruits to the fire department. Newark residents feel more secure and feel a shared responsibility for keeping our streets safer. Residents are actively participating by working with the Newark Police Department through the established tip lines, and by working within their own neighborhoods with watches and other safety activities.

POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS •• Increased number of police officers on the street from 60% to 72% •• Graduated 35 new police officers from the Police Academy •• Opened the 1st Precinct in the Central Ward for additional protection and service, bringing total precincts in the City to five •• Implemented corrective measures to ensure accountability at all levels within the administration based on the Department of Justice’s assessment, including: »»Created the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a civilian-based and community-driven board with full investigative powers that will review resident complaints against police behavior

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City of Newark • March 2015

»»Relocated the Internal Affairs Department to City Hall last July, providing residents with a more amicable environment in which to make complaints. »»Appointed a Deputy Police Director in Internal Affairs to oversee the general investigative process and accept complaints.

FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS •• Received $715,000 from the Port Security Grant Program to enhance capability in the Port Newark/Newark Liberty Airport area and throughout the City •• Hired 41 new recruits with the $5.6 million S.A.F.E.R. grant from the federal government •• Re-opened Engine 16 at 469 Ferry Street, which closed in 2010 due to budget constraints •• Distributed 750 smoke detectors donated by New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford and The Shauger Group to residents during a neighborhood walk

PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS FOR 2015 •• Invest in body cameras for police officers to use while performing their duties during all citizen encounters

OVERALL 20% REDUCTION IN CRIME

•• Hire 150- 12/13/14 new police officers to focus on the 1% 7/1/14 of the population that is responsible for 80% of the crime

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Murder a -28%

51

7/1/13 - 12/13/13

•• Enroll two new police classes in the Police Academy, expected to hit the streets in the late summer months

1120

Robbery b -22%

925

•• Propose legislation to require these new officers to live in the City for at least five years after being hired

971

Burglary -8% c

886 1838

Auto Theft -20%d

•• Work closely and diligently with the federal monitor to improve police services to the community.

1447 202

Carjacking -50%e

102

0

Jul 1,400 2013 to Dec 31, 2013

800

1200 Jul 1, 2014 to Dec 31, 2014

1600

2000

PRISONER RE-ENTRY UPDATES •• Project Hope: To date, 23 participants were employed in transitional jobs for eight weeks, supervised by the Division of Sanitation, assisting with general City clean-up and demolition of abandoned properties.

Today, nine of the participants are enrolled in job-training programs for careers that are ex-offender friendly, and eight have been referred to GED programs.

•• Collaborate with Essex County College and Rutgers University to develop academic curriculum for police supervision and community relations training for all employees •• Seek assistance from both entities to establish an independent police academy to train our officers in accordance with the unique culture and crime conditions in our City

•• Re-Entry Services: Moved the office to the Mayor’s Employment and Training Center, which now provides all services, and hired four case managers. The office has managed more than 620 clients, referring 20 of them to ex-offender job training programs such as CDLs, construction trades, HVAC, and auto mechanic programs. The office has also referred 480 clients to Bridges to obtain identification, and 120 clients to Dress for Success to obtain interview clothes.

•• Shelter Care Plus: Enrolled 12 clients in the program, with nine having already signed leases and been placed in permanent housing. There will be a second wave of funding in late May 2015.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka swore in the 41 graduating members of the Newark Fire Department’s 44th Recruit Class on January 16, 2015. The graduating class includes two women and a married couple. This is the first time in the history of Newark’s Fire Department that women and a married couple were sworn in.

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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A MORE PROSPEROUS CITY

Creating Jobs, Improving Technology and Reducing Costs

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ecognizing the need to not only create jobs for Newark residents but create opportunities to attract new businesses to the City, the administration has actively worked to align City departments that can work together toward that goal. After appointing a Deputy Mayor for Job Creation, Workforce Development, Affirmative Action and Re-entry, the administration decided to combine the offices of the Newark Workforce Investment Board, NewarkWORKS, Newark Youth OneStop Career Center and the Office of Prisoner Re-entry to continue progress.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE •• Partnering with the Training and Development Fund of Local Union District 1199J, Essex County College, and NewarkWorks on the American Apprenticeship Grant to train and place 600 out-of-school youth aged 18-24 in the area of health care over the next five years.

•• Expanding services at the Newark OneStop and Newark Career Training Center to offer all job seekers the following services: »»Life Skills Training »»Resume Workshops »»Interviewing Skills Seminar »»Job Readiness Workshop »»Dress for Success Services »»Job Retention Services •• Creating an Employment and Training Expo scheduled for April 2015

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City of Newark • March 2015

In October of 2014, Mayor Baraka, representatives from ShopRite, Wakefern, New Community Corporation and prospective store associates announced a joint initiative to train approximately 200 Newark residents for jobs. ShopRite is opening a new grocery store in Newark in early 2015.

•• Establishing specialized training programs with a direct job placement component in the nursing and manufacturing fields •• Developing an apprenticeship workforce development strategy with Honeywell that offers classroom training, on-the-job training, and an apprenticeship.

NEWARK’S UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN July 2013

11.9

-2% Feb 2014

9.8

Newark’s unemployment is down 2% in the last seven months.

NEWARKWORKS RESULTS •• Secured jobs for more than 700 residents at companies such as Sonic, Wakefern, Federal Express, NJ Transit, Hotel Indigo OTG and NCC •• Launched “RU Ready Junior Entrepreneurial Program” with Rutgers University to provide youth ages 16-21 with vocational training, and literacy, and work readiness skills

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY LED TO SAVINGS Focusing on operational efficiency, the administration has worked hard to avoid layoffs of employees and/or cuts in crucial areas. We also: •• signed a contract with Jersey City and Paterson to purchase items in bulk.

•• moved the Department of Engineering out of rented space and back into City-owned property.

•• implemented a fuel management system for the entire City vehicle fleet.

•• are currently working with the Newark Parking Authority to build a public parking garage, giving parking access to City employees, and visitors to City Hall and special events at the Prudential Center.

TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENCY Newark’s achievements in 2014: •• Enabled residents to pay taxes online for the first time •• Launched a new website, with more than 65,000 visitors a month •• Launched “Nextdoor” in more than 20 neighborhoods, with participation up by more than 300% •• Launched the MyNewark App •• Launched OpenData •• Tracked operations during blizzards and published it to the web, enabling residents to follow our progress.

•• Moved all vacant property inspections and health inspections to tablets

PORT AUTHORITY OVERSIGHT Mayor Baraka is currently drafting an executive order to create the Office of Port Authority Operational Oversight and Lease Compliance Office. This office will ensure that the City is receiving the maximum amount of revenue pursuant to lease agreements with Port Authority. This issue has existed for a number of years.

We are currently in discussions with the Port Authority about lease payments and are also considering selling seaport land and securing the money from the sale in a trust.

LAW DEPARTMENT UPDATE The Law Department is taking aggressive action against corporate polluters to compel them to remediate contaminated sites and make them economically viable The Department is also: •• working to recoup revenue through unpaid administrative fees agreed to by telecommunication companies laying conduit, cable, wire, or fiber optic cable under City streets.

•• working with the municipal Prosecutors’ Office to handle 26,000 complaints and 406,060 traffic tickets, which enabled the City to collect $24.1 million in revenue, 50% during Mayor Baraka’s first six months in office.

•• beginning the process of foreclosing on more than 1,100 properties, with more than 400 foreclosures filed in January 2015.

•• entered into a settlement agreement with PSE&G switching station, which will provide financial benefits to the City and community benefits to City residents.

•• entering into a settlement agreement with the New Jersey Devils to collect any outstanding fees owed to the City.

The City has begun a four-year partnership with Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) to develop and maintain an official citizen-facing mobile application called “My Newark.” The app includes the reporting of non-emergency issues, anonymous police tips, current news, and local information. It can be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play.

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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A MODEL CITY

Setting an ­Example for ­Cities Nationwide in Policy CITY OF NEWARK TAKES THE PLEDGE TO BECOME MY BROTHER’S KEEPER The City of Newark and Mayor Baraka strengthened ties with the White House with the launch of My Brother’s Keeper Newark (MBKN). Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder have acknowledged the power of Newark’s leadership of this national movement, including pending support from Newark-based corporations. The movement is a natural outgrowth of several months of activities about challenges and opportunities for boys and men of color. The liaison office, New Jersey Attorney General’s office, YouthBuild Newark, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Jersey Health Initiative, United Way of Essex and West Hudson, Prudential, the Victoria Foundation, Rutgers Cornwall Center, and others have been involved in preliminary research, background discussions, and national and local meetings about the initiative.

Mayor Baraka and other dignitaries hosted the City of Newark’s first “Young Men of Color and Law Enforcement” forum as part of President Obama’s nationwide “My Brother’s Keeper Challenge.” The forum took place at Central High School on January 6, 2015 and addressed issues that damage the relationship between African-American and Latino youth and law enforcement.

POLICY WORK IN PROGRESS The City of Newark: •• Submitted a comprehensive plan to designate the city’s most distressed neighborhoods with the highest rates of unemployment as Department of HUD “Promise Zones”. If designated, this region will take priority in attracting millions in federal investments to create jobs, increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime.

•• Secured more than $125,000 to fund the Newark Community Street Teams initiative.

•• Secured $75,000 in funding for the Summer Youth Employment program.

•• Secured funding for the Office of Comprehensive Community Engagement.

MBKN LAUNCHED WITH: •• Young Men and Law Enforcement Summit, Central High School, January 6, 2015

•• Launched the Newark City of Learning Collab­ orative to support “25 by 25”, an initiative that seeks to increase the percentage of residents with post-secondary degrees from 18% to 25% by the year 2025.

•• Re-launched the Newark Youth Policy Board.

•• MBKN Breakfast Launch at Audible, Inc. with Rev. Jesse Jackson, January 8, 2015

•• Directly committed $324,550 to the five priority areas within the administration.

•• MBKN Leadership Action Summit, February 10, 2015

•• Has $2,405,000 in pipeline requests under consideration in the Mayor’s office.

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City of Newark • March 2015

Department of Economic and Housing Development’s Commitment: •• Repair 50 houses in South Ward; 100 in West Ward •• Commit $15 million of development (rehabilitation and new construction) in the South Ward, $40 million in the West Ward The Model Neighborhoods Initiative is a major place-based strategy approach, where identified neighborhoods receive intense transformation efforts.

MODEL NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRESS The Model Neighborhoods Initiative (MNI) is a strategy approach, where two neighborhoods that have repeatedly grappled with crime, blighted housing and p ­ overty, implement and experiment with intense transformation efforts. The results and subsequent program will serve as the basis for implementing similar transformative activities throughout the City. The two neighborhoods identified under this initiative are Clinton Hill in the South Ward and the Lower West Ward in the West Ward. The former consists of a 38-block grid, while the latter is a 20-block grid. The approach to transforming these neighborhoods is a holistic initiative, involving all municipal departments and key non-profits.

The Live Newark Program. This initiative was created to attract public sector workers—especially police and fire, and public school teachers—to live in the MNI neighborhoods as homeowners. Incentives for participation include: •• a $5,000 forgivable loan for closing costs •• a $25,000 forgivable loan for rehabilitation on homes that have not already benefited from other home construction and/or rehab programs

SOUTH WARD SAFETY RESULTS Crime decreased 33% overall, including both ­property and violent crime, since July, 2014.

•• Commit $10 million in development in Mixed-Use Projects in both neighborhoods Four new block associations established. Clinton Hill district leaders have established the Leo Place, Vernon Place, Peshine Avenue, and White Terrace associations.

The Department of Engineering upgraded traffic sig­ nals and repaired potholes to improve safety. The department upgraded 16 traffic signals to LED, replaced 48 traffic signs, repaired 72 traffic signs, and assisted with restoring 72 streetlight outages.

The Division of Fire Prevention & Life Safety inspected 150 structures. Thirty-one of them still have open violations. The Division also inspected more than 170 hydrants in these areas.

Job Fair set for March for MNI residents at West Side High School. NewarkWorks canvasses MNI areas once a week with information about employment programs and jobs.

Department of Health and Community Wellness undertook health inspections in the MNI neighborhoods to check homes for indicators that lead to illness (e.g., mold, mildew, lead, bedbugs, asbestos). The Department identified six properties to be demolished and inspected more than 75 retail food establishments for health code compliance.

WEST WARD SAFETY RESULTS Overall Crime increased 11% in the WWMNI including both property and violent crime since July, 2014.

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1414

182

311

59

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351

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Arrests

Motor Vehicle Stops

Motor Summonses

Field Inquiries

Arrests

Motor Vehicle Stops

Motor Summonses

Field Inquiries

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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A DESTINATION CITY

Creating an ­Economically Sound City with a Strong C ­ ultural Backbone Anchoring further downtown development, the new Prudential Financial Tower and the former Hanes Department Store renovation will include a Whole Foods supermarket.

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he key to attracting and retaining a vital residential and business community in Newark is to ensure longevity and financial stability. This is why the Baraka administration has made significant progress in creating programs and infrastructures that support the long-term economic development and cultural fabric of the City. $1 BILLION IN DEVELOPMENT •• In the first year of this administration, there is $1 ­billion in active real estate development projects throughout Newark.

•• These include residential, commercial, mixed-used, entertainment and cultural projects that create opportunities for housing, employment, excitement and fun, city-wide.

•• Projects include: »»Renovation of the former Hanes building into a Whole Foods grocery store, 160 apartments, and a Rutgers Theater ($115,000,000 budget). »»Construction of Theater Square—a 224-unit , 22-story building at 2 Center Street (across from NJPAC) with 30,000 square feet of commercial space ($102,000,000 budget).

TAX ABATEMENT CHANGES = MORE NEWARK JOBS •• These major development projects are important not only because they will change Newark’s built environment, but because they will provide increased employment and business opportunities for Newark residents.

•• To make sure this happens, the Department of

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City of Newark • March 2015

Economic Development has changed the agreements made with developers that want abatements. Now it’s required that 51% of subcontracts go to minority and ­women-owned businesses, and 30% go to Newarkbased businesses.

•• Also, a new First Source Ordinance requires 40% of vendors to be Newark residents.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND REVIVED AFTER 9 YEARS •• With this trust fund, the administration will subsidize projects, particularly in our model neighborhoods, to ensure affordability and access for Newark residents.

•• The fund will award loans to support the rehabilitation, preservation or new construction of housing targeting low to moderate income households.

ARTIST HOUSING (NINA SIMONE HOUSE) •• A long vacant bank at 505 Clinton Avenue is being rehabilitated to offer affordable housing to local artists.

•• It will be called the Nina Simone House after one of the greatest performers to ever grace Newark.

•• The house will contain 18 apartments with affordable rents.

FORMATION OF THE NEWARK COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION The Brick City Development Corporation was completely overhauled and the Newark CEDC was launched.

As its name suggests, Newark CEDC is a “community” oriented development corporation, and it will provide

MORE THAN 20 NEW DEVELOPMENTS

support and development expertise to projects throughout Newark, including in our most challenged neighborhoods.

The CEDC: •• increased the percentage of businesses enrolling in the Urban Enterprise Zone from 18% to at least 30%. This will enable these businesses to purchase tax-exempt supplies and offer a reduced sales tax rate to customers.

•• developed a “Buy in Newark” campaign that promotes the local economy to Newark residents.

•• co-hosted a small business summit with Prudential Social Investment Program to develop a strategy to increase the number of small businesses in Newark.

•• planning the Manufacturer’s Conference in April to help increase the capacity of Newark manufacturers and help new manufacturers develop or expand into Newark.

•• co-hosted an Investor’s Conference in May with IFS to highlight the investment opportunities available to traditional financial institutions throughout Newark with various institutions, including the Prudential Social Investment Program, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo.

The following projects have recently begun or will begin soon.

•• PSE&G Switching Station •• Hane’s (Whole Food) •• Rector Street (Boraie) •• RPM (Lincoln Park) •• Lofts @ Lincoln Park •• Lincoln Park/CAPC •• Hyatt Court Park & Playground •• NHA/Coca-Cola Soccer Field •• Mercato Tomato Pie •• Sussex Ave. Renew School Playground •• Chadwick Village •• Wright Clark Mansion •• Indigo Hotel •• Triangle Park •• Cherry Park •• Tryp Hotel •• Sonic

VALENTINE’S DAY LAND SALE This Valentine’s Day, the City of Newark offered 100 lots for sale to couples willing to build a home and live in it for five years. It was one part of the administration’s “Live Newark” strategy to stabilize communities, combat blight and build wealth in the neighborhoods. The City netted $49,500 on the day of the sale.

ARTS, CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM All of the events programmed and presented by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism were without cost to the City or fell below and within budgeted activities in the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services. The Arts Department: •• designated October “Poetry Month,” giving residents the opportunity to read, write and recite poems throughout the city

The City is looking into converting City-owned abandoned properties—particularly in its Model Neighborhoods in the South and West Wards—into housing for artists.

•• created the Public Art Program to place public art murals throughout the city and ensure community involvement and support •• created the Newark Food Fest •• partnered with other institutions to provide programming like Voices in the Community and Poetry on the Move •• created “Voices of Newark” to showcase the choral, directorial, and composition talent of Newark’s music community

•• developed an online Artists Registry to collect information and provide a line of communication between the Office of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism and artists in the greater Newark area •• hosted 22 Chinese government officials

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CITY

Improving ­Education, Public Health, Sanitation and Recreation The Department of Health and Community Wellness has partnered with Star Career Academy to host a series of monthly cooking demonstrations for seniors.

HEALTH & COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRESS We changed the name of our Health Department to the Department of Health and Community Wellness to highlight the focus on the community at large. Progress includes: •• Healthy Living Program: Provides cooking demonstrations and nutrition seminars for children and seniors.

Also teaches about nutrition and healthier cooking options by hosting shopping trips to local farmers’ markets.

•• Overnight Warming Station: The Department activated the City’s first overnight station for the homeless in January to provide shelter, and medical and social services to 1,408 individuals on 13 different nights.

•• Affordable Care Act Outreach Education and Enrollment »»The City hosted a visit from Secretary Burwell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to highlight the need for education, outreach and enrollment under the Affordable Care Act. »»We initiated outreach and offered education and enrollment services to Newark residents during the Open Enrollment Period of November 15, 2014 under the ACA through February 15, 2015. Preliminary numbers reveal that we had over 4,000 encounters for ACA enrollment.

•• Mary Eliza Mahoney Medical Centers »»The City manages a fully designated Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) at three different sites. We have doubled our patient population. In

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City of Newark • March 2015

January we saw more than 1,800 individuals for unduplicated services, 2.5 times the number of patients seen in the last year. »»We began the construction of the expanded dental clinic in February, and are currently completing accreditation of a dental mobile van. »»There are plans to open three more dental clinics, a primary care clinic at Bradley Court, a minute clinic, a wellness center on Clinton Avenue, and a women’s clinic at Georgia King Village.

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES IS COMMITTED TO A CLEANER NEWARK •• We received five new energy-efficient sanitation trucks on September 4. They are in operation in the South Ward and will cut down on the need for outside contractors.

•• The inaugural faith-based recycling challenge will be held from March to May of this year. More than 30 churches signed up for the challenge and we look forward to getting faith-based organizations involved in recycling.

•• We installed 10 new surveillance cameras to combat illegal dumping at 10 undisclosed locations identified as “Hot Spots”.

•• Samsung Galaxy tablets will replace the Code Enforcement Recording Tracking System (CERTS) application. They will allow inspectors to cite locations in the field and reduce the paperwork in the office.

RESULTS OF OUR EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH The Baraka administration has supplemented the educational system in the following ways: •• Newark Community Education Convention: This event was co-sponsored by more than 20 education partners from across the City. There were 421 attendees over the course of two days.

•• Read and Believe Program: The City established a coalition of 20 local and national partners to distribute 15,000 books to children, families, Newark Public Library, and community-based organizations in each ward. We also: On Monday, November 17, 2014, Mayor Ras J. Baraka unveiled five new compressed natural gas refuse trucks.

»»partnered with United Way Celebrity Read program to bring Mayor’s Office staff to schools as celebrity readers

»»The tablets were designed to assist with on-line systems that will enable DNRS to increase processing by 50 percent.

»»continued advocacy to resolve family issues with school assignments and special education »»recognized World Read Aloud Day with authors skyping into a school in each ward

PROGRESS IN RECREATIONAL SERVICES •• The Community Pass is a web-based system that will allow all Newark residents to register and receive an identification card to enter into our six recreation centers to participate in activities including indoor soccer, biddy basketball, tumbling, swim teams, karate, double dutch and a host of others.

•• Mayoral Out-of-School Time Summit on April 15 at the Newark Club »»Summer reading initiatives »»Literacy training and resources for summer/after school staff. »»Expansion of summer meals to include recreation centers and more schools.

•• The City partnered with Prudential and Panasonic to sponsor programs within the recreation centers with hopes of co-branding a center. This will allow a company to fund the center’s employment and programs.

•• We have established a Shade Tree Commission to regulate the planting, care, and control of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery on our public streets, highways, parks and parkways.

RECREATION PLANS FOR 2015 We will offer a variety of special events and continuing programming for residents, including: •• JFK Dribble, Swish, and Shoot with the NBA •• Mayor Ras Baraka Basketball Tournament •• Newark Soccer Cup •• State-of-the-art wellness and fitness center at Rotunda Recreation/Wellness Facility •• DORCA Boxing Club with state-of-the-art equipment at Boylan Street Recreational Center •• Return to United States Youth Games

A Newark youth spars with an instructor at a Summer Fun in the City event. The initiative provided residents in each ward with a variety of programming, from athletics, arts and culture, education and recreation, and kept the community engaged and the streets safer throughout the summer.

•• The New Newark Pop-Warner featuring Flag & Mitey Mite football

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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A CITY WE CAN ALL BELIEVE IN

­ ostering F ­Engagement Through Special Projects, Clergy Affairs and Senior Initiatives

P

Dancers perform at The City of Newark’s 27th annual “Sing in Praise of King.” This observance’s keynote speaker was longtime Civil Rights activist, Rainbow/PUSH founder, and former Democratic presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.

roviding all of our constituents, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, with opportunities to engage their government representatives and access quality programming has been a key focus of Mayor Baraka’s administration.

THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROJECTS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ACHIEVING: •• Seasons of Fun: Summer Fun in the City was held through August 2014: a citywide initiative that offered athletic, arts and culture, education, and recreation programming to engage the community and provide safer streets during the summer. The Fall Fun in the City activities were held from October to December 2014.

Between the two programs, the City served more than 20,000 residents.

Centers of Hope are community based centers that allow access to City services, wellness and enrichment opportunities where people live and work. The Centers will offer a variety of athletic, arts & culture, educational, environmental, healthy living and recreation programming to engage and empower the community. The following are the five program pillars of the Centers of Hope:

•• Newark Business Advisory Council: The Council is unique in that it incorporates small, medium and big businesses working together to achieve optimal economic growth in Newark.

•• Healthy Living

•• Town Halls: There were a series’ of Town Halls organized for the community. The first series of five Town Halls took place during the summer in churches, one in every ward. The second series is being held at NJPAC.

•• Technology

•• Sing in Praise of King: In January 2015, more than 2,000 residents joined Mayor Baraka and Civil Rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson at Newark Symphony Hall for the 27th annual Sing in Praise of King celebration. There was music, dance, and oratory in honor of the Civil Rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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City of Newark • March 2015

•• Education •• Community Engagement •• Arts & Culture

MAYOR’S TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP – SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM •• 200 students will participate in programs with NJIT •• 25 will do an eight-week coding camp

MUNICIPAL I.D. PROGRAM We are empowering our immigrant and ESL community by developing a proposal for identification cards for all Newark residents, including undocumented immigrant residents. These cards will provide all Newark residents with access to government and other services, including health care, libraries, bank accounts, driver’s licenses, and public schools.

•• 175 will work on beautification projects within their respective communities under the guidance of the school of landscape and architecture. That particular group will work with one of our partner organizations on Fridays, gaining meaningful work experience in a professional environment •• An additional 800 students will participate in internships Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, they will participate in the Mayor’s Summer Leadership Institute which is being created in partnership with the Newark City of Learning collaborative STRENGTHENING OUR SENIORS Mayor Baraka’s first-ever city-wide Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Day at Branch Brook Park provided 650 seniors with information on health and healthy living.

The administration also: •• established a city-wide Senior Citizen Group with 400 seniors who meet on a monthly basis.

On August 26, 2014, the City of Newark hosted “Wellness Fitness Fun Day” at Branch Brook Park to provide health ­services and information to our “seasoned citizens.”

•• re-established the Commission on the Status of Women to advocate and submit positive policies that will impact women of Newark.

•• re-established the Commission on Senior Citizens to advocate and affect policies relating to seniors.

•• is working to introduce a city-wide automated phone calling system to provide residents with information on urgent and important issues.

PARTNERING WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS •• The Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs formed the Newark Interfaith Alliance with 523 members.

•• More than 480 members of the clergy gathered for the first Interfaith Alliance breakfast in October.

•• The Alliance holds bi-weekly meetings with 75-100 faith-based leaders to create initiatives that will benefit residents.

A Newark resident poses a question at the first Town Hall at NJPAC.

•• The City established a critical response unit to tend to families in crisis.

•• City-wide Spiritual Engagement set for March 28, 2015 at locations to be determined.

March 2015 • State of the City Report

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