Paterson Family Center preschool student on her tricycle
NJCDC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Martin Vergara II
Chair
Morgan Stanley
Anthony Coscia
Vice Chair
Windels Marx
David Berninger
Treasurer
OceanFirst Bank
Carline Morrison
Secretary
BD
Donald F. Buckley TD Bank
Christian Callegari
McCarter & English
Eric Daleo Telos Advisers
Nita Das
Financial Planning & Analysis Professional
Etta Denk Bank of America
Ulises Diaz Horizon
Tel: 973-413-1600 njcdc.org
Tony Coscia • Bill Pascrell III • Kenyatta Stewart
Martin Vergara II
Robert Garrison Laborers’ International Union
Robert Guarasci, Ex-Officio
NJCDC Founder & CEO
Victor J. Herlinsky, Jr. Sills Cummis
William Pascrell, III Princeton Public Affairs Group
Kenyatta Stewart, Esq. City of Newark
Our preschool students enjoyed a Dr. Seuss story read by NJCDC trustee Bill Pascrell III on Read Across America Day
NJCDC’s Thirtieth Anniversary Gala
A heartfelt thank you to all of tonight’s sponsors, attendees, and advertisers for making this evening a success.
A special thanks to our incredible Gala Committee:
• Lianne Cospito
• Katie Daleo
• Carl DiGirolamo
• Beth Ferraino
• Justin Jennings
• Lana Molina
• Ralph Rocco
• Farhanna Sayegh
• Jonathan Tarazona
• Deniz Vergara
Welcome
Martin Vergara II, Chairman, Board of Trustees
New Jersey Community Development Corporation
CEO’s Remarks
Bob Guarasci, Founder & CEO
New Jersey Community Development Corporation
Video Presentation
Remembrance — Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
The Impact of NJCDC
Christian Callegari
Paterson Youth Council Alum and NJCDC Board Member
Randa Darwood
Paterson Youth Council Alum
Cristina Tone
Barclay Place Resident
Presentation to the Honorees
Martin Vergara II • Tony Coscia • Bill Pascrell III • Kenyatta Stewart
NJCDC Trustees and Paterson Hometown Heroes
Musical Performance
Anointed Friends
Dinner
Silent Auction, Raffle, & Closing Remarks
Bob & NJCDC Board Chair Martin Vergara at our Annual Holiday Party for Paterson Children
I Want to Welcome and Thank You
Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
Thirty years ago, I invited my friend Rob Long to join me in creating a nonprofit organization with a bold vision: to transform lives — and neighborhoods — in the City of Paterson. That’s how New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) was born, grounded in the belief that good people can come together to make a lasting di erence. Today, NJCDC serves over 4,000 children and families each day, focusing on education, youth development, a ordable housing, and community building. Our mission is fueled by our belief in the potential of Paterson’s residents and our commitment to creating opportunities to help them succeed.
Over the past three decades, we’ve invested more than $120 million in revitalizing Paterson’s Great Falls Neighborhood. Our work has resulted in new housing, schools, a vibrant youth center, and other vital community facilities. We’ve also played a key role in the creation of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, preserving a treasured piece of our shared history. Our K-8 charter school now serves more than 900 students, and our teen centers promote health, wellness, and academic success. Through our Great Falls Neighborhood Initiative, we remain dedicated to ensuring that every child graduates from high school ready for college and a career.
This year — our 30th — has been especially meaningful for NJCDC. We expanded our Great Falls Youth Center, o ering even more programs and resources for Paterson teens. We also celebrated the one-year anniversary of the NJ4S Passaic County Hub, which plays a crucial role in addressing the youth mental health crisis. And over the last several months, we’ve celebrated our 30th anniversary year with a series of joyful events, including a website relaunch, alumni reunions, and a special baseball game at Hinchli e Stadium.
As we look ahead, one thing remains clear: We will continue working to make lasting change and to serve as many people as possible. As I tell my team, we never want to look back and say “we could have done more.”
With gratitude,
NJCDC Trustees and ...
Anthony Coscia
”
Bob Guarasci
NJCDC Founder & CEO
Bill Pascrell III, the Dean of our Board, carries on his family’s legacy of service to Paterson, and we are grateful for his advocacy for us and for those we serve.
Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
Mr. Coscia is a partner and Executive Committee member of Windels Marx, one of the New York region’s oldest law firms. He a also serves as Chairman of the Board of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and is the Lead Director of OceanFirst Financial Corp., Director of the Neighborhood Property Group and a senior advisor to Duration Capital Partners. He is Vice Chairman of the Gateway Development Commission. Mr. Coscia was Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2003 through June 2011, where he played a leadership role in the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after 9/11.
He previously served as Chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Mr. Coscia serves as a Director of Georgetown University, Trustee of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation and the Regional Plan Association, and member of The Partnership for New York City. Mr. Coscia is a graduate of Georgetown University and Rutgers University School of Law.
William Pascrell III
With a prominent career in state, federal, and global public a airs, William J. Pascrell, III, Esq., or BP3, is a lobbyist with PPAG (Princeton Public A airs Group). He works extensively in a broad array of industries, including gambling and cannabis, and has been consistently recognized as one of New Jersey’s most influential policymakers.
In the gaming industry, Pascrell led the 10-year campaign to legalize sports betting in the U.S., culminating in the Supreme Court’s 2018 repeal of PASPA. He also played a pivotal role in passing New Jersey’s first-in-the-nation Online Gaming Act. Pascrell continues to advise governments on gaming policy and serves on myriad industry boards.
Pascrell has also been at the forefront of the cannabis industry since its inception, helping to draft New Jersey’s original medical marijuana legislation. He remains a key advisor to the sector and has spoken at several industry events, o ering his expertise on cannabis regulation.
Pascrell is active in nonprofit work, serving on the boards of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Tony Coscia’s dedication to his hometown of Paterson — and to our work — have made a lasting impact on our work to transform lives.
Paterson Hometown Hereos
“ ”
Kenyatta Stewart’s passion for justice and commitment to uplifting Paterson’s next generation has strengthened our mission at every step.
Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
Born, raised, and currently living in Paterson, Martin Vergara has been a steadfast champion for his hometown and the families we serve.
Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
Kenyatta Stewart
Kenyatta Stewart, a proud native of Paterson, New Jersey, is a distinguished legal professional with a remarkable journey in both the legal realm and community service. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Williams Paterson University and later achieved his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra Law School. Kenyatta’s legal acumen and dedication to justice led him to Hunt Hamlin & Ridley, where he served as an associate.
Kenyatta’s accomplishments have earned him accolades from various organizations. He was named a Young Trail Blazer by the Caribbean Bar Association and received the Rising Stars award in Super Lawyers Magazine, along with recognition as one of the Top 100 Black Lawyers.
In 2017, Kenyatta assumed the role of Corporation Counsel for the City of Newark, serving as the top legal advisor for New Jersey’s largest municipality. He also led matters involving NRDC, Civil Complaint Review Board, and Consent Decree. His passion for both the law and community service exemplifies Kenyatta Stewart as a dedicated and influential figure.
Martin Vergara II
Martin Vergara currently holds the role of Global Head of Talent Acquisition for Morgan Stanley. Since joining in 2007, Martin has served as COO for several organizations, including Corporate Services & Global Centers, Private Wealth Management and Firmwide Marketing. Additionally, Martin spent time in various producing & managerial capacities within Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Division.
Outside of work, Martin is dedicated to giving back to his hometown Paterson, NJ, serving on several non-profit boards and as Board Chairman for the Hamilton Partnership for Paterson and NJ Community Development Corporation.
As a High School senior, Martin was drafted by the Cleveland Indians Baseball Club in the 15th Round. He forewent going pro and enrolled at the University of Notre Dame as a student-athlete pitching for the baseball team and graduating with a B.A. in Finance. In addition to his undergraduate degree, Martin holds an MBA from Columbia University. Martin resides in his hometown with his wife, Deniz and children, Ayla and Hart.
NJCDC Trustee Kenyatta Stewart spoke to Paterson high school students at our Great Falls Youth Center
Inspiring and Empowering People with Opportunities to Transform Their Lives
Celebrating our 30th anniversary year, New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) is a non-profit community development and social service agency based in the heart of Paterson, New Jersey’s third-largest city. Our mission is to create opportunities to transform lives in Paterson and its Great Falls Neighborhood through education, youth development, a ordable housing, and community building initiatives.
What began in 1994 with only two employees and an AmeriCorps national service program has since grown into an $18 million agency employing over 200 individuals who support every aspect of our comprehensive cradle-to-college pipeline of programs and services. Through this pipeline, we serve more than 4,000 children, teens, and families every day. Our vision is that all 8,000 children living or going to school in our neighborhood will graduate from high school ready for college and a career.
While the city and neighborhood we serve face economic hardship — the median household income is less than 40% of the statewide median and only 11% of adult residents have earned a college degree — it is also a city and neighborhood with a rich history and a great deal of hope
and promise. And so we remain optimistic about the future.
While much work remains, we are proud of what we’ve achieved over these past 30 years, including:
• Investing over $120 million in revitalizing our community
• Creating 15 playgrounds and community gardens
• Building 200+ units of a ordable/supportive housing
• Founding a preschool, a K-8 charter school, Paterson’s first STEM high school, and a Youth Center
• Operating over 20 youth development programs
NJCDC Board Vice Chair Tony Coscia with Paterson Youth Council students
Education: Another Word for Opportunity
At NJCDC, education is another word for opportunity. We believe that the goal of education should be to instill a lifelong love of learning in children. Our high-quality, free educational programs and services for Paterson students in grades K-12 are designed to help our scholars open their minds and reach their fullest potential. We also aim to nurture a passion for learning that persists throughout children’s entire lives.
NJCDC founded and operates the Paterson Family Center, a preschool that gives 105 of Paterson’s youngest students a head start; founded and supports the Community Charter School of Paterson, which now has more than 900 students enrolled in grades K-8; and founded and supports Garrett Morgan Academy, a high school focused on science and technology.
Additionally, NJCDC is the lead agency at four of Paterson’s Full Service Community Schools: Public School No. 5, the Joseph A. Taub School, International High School, and John F. Kennedy High School. Each of these schools o ers programming after-school, evenings, and over the summer, transformed into vital community hubs.
Great Falls Teen Center students Lucy and Nairenny jumped for joy over their acceptances to Wesleyan and Dartmouth!
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders — Today
At NJCDC, we believe that young people can overcome extraordinary odds to succeed in life, and our youth development programs are designed to help them do just that. We go beyond the classroom to foster the next generation of engaged Paterson citizens. By investing in afterschool programming, our Youth Center and Teen Centers, and comprehensive youth leadership initiatives, we nurture Paterson’s future leaders at every stage of their development. Through these e orts, we are continuously investing in the immense human potential of the City of Paterson.
Our Youth Development programs include:
• Paterson Youth Council, a year-long leadership development program.
• Great Falls Youth Center, which provides a safe place for hundreds of neighborhood teens.
• Two AmeriCorps programs — the Paterson Community Schools Corps, whose members work in several schools to eliminate barriers to academic achievement, and the Paterson Public Health Corps, whose members provide mental health resources to at-risk students and families.
• An array of summer programs for Paterson students of all ages.
• Four comprehensive Teen Centers at area high schools, which promote healthy lifestyles, educational enrichment, and academic support services.
• New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) Passaic County Hub, which provides vital mental health services to large numbers of youth throughout Paterson and Passaic County.
Our Hawthorne Heights Apartments welcomed Timothy, a new resident grateful to have his own first apartment
Building Affordable Housing for Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors
We believe that having a place to call home is one of the most fundamental human needs necessary for stability and personal growth. Our goal is to o er residents a safe, decent, and a ordable place to call home. We also provide assistance with navigating everyday challenges, and, most importantly, we work to instill hope, confidence, and optimism in those we serve.
NJCDC prides itself on providing a ordable and supportive housing in the City of Paterson and the surrounding area to those vulnerable individuals and families who need it most. To date, we have built more than 200 a ordable/supportive units of housing. Many of these homes also o er on-site social services for individuals with special needs, including formerly homeless individuals, individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and youth aging out of foster care.
These housing and supportive programs do even more than transform individual lives — they also ignite change, fostering social stability and paving the way for safer, stronger neighborhoods.
In September, we hosted a summit to get input from neighborhood residents on current projects around the Great Falls
Community Building for a Better and Brighter Paterson
Since 1994, NJCDC has taken a lead in rebuilding and strengthening our community through the empowerment of, and partnership with, those who live and work in our neighborhood.
We engage local residents and business owners to care for and advocate on behalf of our shared neighborhood through a variety of initiatives, including a Community Advisory Board comprised of resident representatives. We also carry out neighborhood clean-ups, beautification projects, and civic gatherings that bring the community together. Over the years, we have built 15 playgrounds and community gardens, making our neighborhood a safer and more vibrant place to live and grow up.
In 2009, President Barack Obama signed legislation creating a national park in the heart of our neighborhood, something we had been advocating for over a number of years. For ten years, Bob Guarasci served on the Great Falls National Historical Park’s Federal Advisory Commission, helping to create the plan for what is quickly becoming a must-see tourist attraction.
Ten years ago — in 2014 — we opened our Neighborhood Help Center, a one-stop shop that helps
residents with employment, housing, health, immigration, and more. We also operate the City of Paterson’s Financial Empowerment Center, which helps residents achieve financial stability through free counseling.
We also create opportunities for neighbors to connect through social activities and fun events like our Block Party, Annual Holiday Toy Drive and Party, and other community celebrations. These events foster a sense of belonging and pride, while also strengthening the bonds among residents.
Paterson Family Center students learned about gardening in their preschool’s Rosario Coscia Garden
We Intend to Continue Serving as a Powerful Agent of Change
In celebrating our 30th anniversary, we’re proud to continue expanding our substantial base of successful programs for children and families, growing our pipeline of services to meet emerging needs, and expanding our brick-and-mortar work to create additional a ordable housing and youthserving and other community facilities.
But none of this work happens alone. Tonight, we’re proud to honor four dedicated members of our Board of Trustees — and true Paterson Hometown Heroes — Martin Vergara II, Tony Coscia, Bill Pascrell III, and Kenyatta Stewart. These exceptional leaders have played key roles in advancing our mission, o ering guidance, support, and resources to help NJCDC transform lives. We celebrate their unwavering commitment to the children and families we serve, as well as their continued deep ties to the city in which they were raised.
One of our greatest supporters, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, on September 29, 2003, as we cut the ribbon on our new HQ
Our Milestones — 1994-2005
1994
Bob Guarasci asks Rob Long to join him in founding New Jersey Community Development Corporation
1996
Bu alo Avenue residence opens for adults with developmental disabilities
1998
Thomas Street residence opens to further expand supportive housing for people with disabilities
Great Falls YouthBuild program, a GED & vocational training program for at-risk youth, is established
2000
Garrett Morgan High School, a STEM Academy, opens
2003
NJCDC rehabilitates the Rogers Locomotives Works Building at 32 Spruce Street and relocates its headquarters, and names it in honor of Senator Frank Lautenberg
The Paterson Family Center preschool opens
2005
William Waldman Independence House residence opens for youth leaving foster care
Three teen centers are opened at area high schools
Our Milestones — 2006-2012 30
2006
The Paterson Youth Council, a leadership program for teenagers, is established
2008
NJCDC completes its Greater Spruce Street Neighborhood Plan
The Community Charter School of Paterson opens for 400 elementary students
2010
Congdon Mill Apartments, a joint venture with Longstreet Development, opens and provides 66 a ordable housing units
NJCDC opens the City’s first Full Service Community School at Paterson Public School No. 5
2011
Gov. Chris Christie visits NJCDC to help launch the Great Falls Promise Neighborhood, and designates NJCDC as the lead agency
The Great Falls National Historical Park is established and Bob Guarasci is appointed to its Federal Advisory Commission
2012
Spruce Terrace Apartments opens for homeless men and women
A new strategic business plan is adopted to replicate the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone in Paterson
Our students visiting Harvard University as part of the Paterson Youth Council’s annual Ivy League Tour
Our Milestones — 2013-2017
2013
The Great Falls Promise Neighborhood Initiative is created with a grant from The Nicholson Foundation
Rosario Coscia Children’s Garden, William Carlos Williams Community Plaza, and the Good Food Garden open to provide parks and play space
The Rogers Storage Building is rehabilitated into the Rogers Meeting Center, nestled in the National Park
2014
The Neighborhood Help Center opens Elm Street Apartments opens for youth leaving foster care and grandparents raising grandchildren
Community Charter School of Paterson opens a middle school and now serves 900 students in grades K-8
Three new playgrounds are built at area schools
Parent Academy is launched to educate parents with preschool-aged children
The First Annual Preschool Conference is held for Paterson’s early learning educators
The Paterson Youth Arts program is launched to provide free arts education for Paterson youth
2015
Our Great Falls Neighborhood boundaries are expanded
The Shohid Minar Monument is built at Westside Park to commemorate Bengali history
Paterson University Corps launches, providing college students with volunteer and internship opportunities
First Annual Senior Sendo awards tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to Paterson students attending 4-year colleges
2016
Michael’s Energy Factory Preschool is purchased out of bankruptcy, keeping it open for 200 students
2017
Inaugural Ivy League Tour brings Paterson students to Harvard, Yale, and MIT
Park Corner Apartments opens, o ering retail space and 11 a ordable apartments
In 2020, we distributed 400 Chromebooks enabling students to learn virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic
Our Milestones — 2018-2021
2018
Great Falls Youth Center opens to provide a safe place for hundreds of neighborhood teens
Community Charter School of Paterson celebrates its 10th Anniversary
NJCDC holds its 25th Holiday Toy Drive & Party for hundreds of Paterson families
2019
First Annual Great Falls Neighborhood Summit o ers local residents increased community engagement
NJCDC partners with St. Joseph’s Health as the first project in the state’s new healthy homes initiative
Paterson’s first Full Service Community School at a high school, John F. Kennedy, is opened
NJCDC celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a series of events, including a Reception, a Concert at the Great Falls, and a Community Service Day
2020
NJCDC unveils plans to rehabilitate Paterson’s Lou Costello Memorial Park with $1 million in City funding to create a park that will be safer and more welcoming to families
NJCDC unveils plans to construct two small apartment buildings as part of a new strategy to transform vacant lots to meet a ordable housing needs
NJCDC quickly pivots to hold most programs virtually, distribute nearly 400 Chromebooks and $20,000+ in grocery gift cards, and provide PPE to local residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
With funding from the federal CARES Act, NJCDC launches an ongoing monthly FoodBox program, giving 500 boxes of nonperishable food each month to Paterson residents in need
NJCDC starts new initiatives to link local residents with job training programs and to directly help senior citizens lessen social isolation linked to the COVID-19 pandemic
NJCDC launches Bridge to Success, a four-week program designed to help students successfully transition from eighth grade to high school
Our Milestones — 2022-2024
2022
NJCDC breaks ground on the expansion of our Great Falls Youth Center
NJCDC, with the City of Paterson, helps cut the ribbon on the renovated Lou Costello Memorial Park
NJCDC partners with Paterson Public Schools to open a Full Service Community School at the Joseph A. Taub Middle School
NJCDC relaunches the City of Paterson’s Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) to provide free one-onone financial counseling to all Paterson residents 2023
NJCDC unveils the Great Falls Neighborhood Plan, a 10-year strategic plan created by neighborhood residents and stakeholders
The Barclay Place Apartments opens, providing over 56 a ordable housing units and targeted health and wellness services on-site for residents with chronic health conditions
NJCDC completes the expansion of the Great Falls Youth Center, allowing us to better serve the increasing number of students who attend our programming
NJCDC celebrates the 20th anniversaries of our headquarters at 32 Spruce Street and the Paterson Family Center, as well as the 15th anniversary of CCSP
NJCDC launches the Passaic County Hub of NJ4S, a program initiated by the State to activate regional hubs to o er social, emotional, and mental health support to students and their families in the wake of the pandemic
2024
NJCDC hosts the first of a series of 30th anniversary year events by unveiling a new website at a ceremony on March 11th, the date of our formal incorporation
NJCDC purchases the Morris Street campus of the Community Charter School of Paterson, ensuring it will serve many generations of future students
Our Paterson Youth Council will never forget meeting with Congressman Pascrell at the Capitol this past spring
In Memoriam: Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
The late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., a true native son of Paterson, dedicated his life to public service, working tirelessly for the people of his hometown — and beyond. From his early days as a teacher to serving as Paterson’s Mayor, a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, and a U.S. Congressman for nearly three decades, his life was a testament to hard work, dedication, and an enduring love for the City of Paterson.
Congressman Pascrell’s impact on New Jersey — and Paterson — is profound. He was instrumental in creating the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, a landmark achievement that will benefit generations to come. His commitment to public safety, public health, and ensuring the wellbeing of families across the state was unwavering.
A longtime friend of NJCDC, Congressman Pascrell often engaged directly with our youth and families. Just recently, during our Youth Council’s trip to Washington, D.C., he met with Paterson teens, encouraging them to embrace their potential and channel their passion into meaningful community service. His genuine belief in the power of young people to shape the future made him not only a leader, but a mentor to the next generation.
We will always be grateful for his contributions, guidance, and friendship. His loss is deeply felt by all of us, but his legacy of service, dedication, and love for Paterson will live on. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. will forever be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements, but for his unwavering commitment to the people of New Jersey and the city he loved so dearly.
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LeRoy Jones | Idida Rodriguez | Pat Torpey | Dan Smith | Wendy Martinez | Al Harris
Millennium Salutes Tonight’s Honorees for their Important Contributions to NJCDC and the City of Paterson
Bill Pascrell III
Tony Coscia
Martin Vergara II
Kenyatta Stewart
Ed Farmer President
Benefactor Sponsor
NJCDC extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors below for their generous support.
To our many friends and advertisers who helped make this evening a success, WE THANK YOU!
GALA UNDERWRITER: The Daleo Family
BENEFACTOR LEVEL: Mrs. Marilyn Clark • OceanFirst Bank • Valley Bank
CELEBRATION LEVEL: Baratta Family Fund • DEVCO • Suzanne & Matt Donohoe
Horizon • PSEG • Railroad Construction Company
Ralph Rocco & Family • Su olk • Tishman Speyer • Windels Marx
FRIEND LEVEL: Accurate Box Company • AMS • AvalonBay Communities
Bank of America • Broadridge Financial Solutions
Duration Capital Partners • Enterprise Community Partners
Federal Home Loan Bank of NY • Hackensack Meridian Health
The KRE Group • Kushner Companies • Matrix Development Group