Chief Alejandro (Alex) Alicea Paterson Fire Department
31 Years of Creating Opportunities To Transform Lives
Neighborhood Activities Fund Mini-Grant recipient, Brenda Figueroa, taught cooking classes for our neighborhood residents
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
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
Jonathan Tarazona Valley Bank
Journal design by Beth Hyslip.
Elianny Polanco receives her scholarship check at our annual College Sendoff
NJCDC’s Thirty-First Anniversary Gala!
A heartfelt thank you to all of tonight’s sponsors, attendees, and advertisers for making this evening a success.
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
The Impact of NJCDC
Lexie Castillo
Community Charter School of Paterson and AmeriCorps Alumna
Mariajose Ramirez
Paterson Youth Council Alumna and Neighborhood Street Team Captain
Kirrsy Baez
Financial Empowerment Center Client and Owner of Fancy K Laundromat
Berta Torres Park Corner Apartments Resident
Presentation to the Honorees Valley Bank
Kaitlyn Schillizi Accepting
Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility
Alex (Alejandro) Alicea Chief of the Paterson Fire Department
Musical Performance
Anointed Friends
Dinner
Video Presentation
Silent Auction, Raffle, & Closing Remarks
I Want to Welcome and Thank You
Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
For more than 30 years, New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) has worked to revitalize Paterson. We focus our efforts on a 95-block area we call the Great Falls Neighborhood, with the majestic Great Falls at its center. Our bold vision remains the same: that all 8,000 children living or going to school in our neighborhood will graduate from high school ready for college and a career.
Over the past year, that vision moved from ideas to detailed plans. We have designs for a new youth center, a STEM learning center, a performing arts venue, and additional affordable housing projects that will expand opportunity for thousands of young people and families.
We also marked meaningful milestones together. In March, we concluded a year of celebrations for NJCDC’s 30th anniversary. We had the privilege of hosting Governor Phil Murphy as he officially renamed Route 19 in honor of our late Congressman and great friend, Bill Pascrell, Jr. an occasion that reminded us how leadership and love of community can shape a city’s future.
This year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our William Waldman Independence House, which continues to provide housing and supportive services to young men leaving foster care with nowhere else to turn. And once again, our students earned admission to top universities, proving what we already know: when given opportunity and support, kids from Paterson can compete with kids from anywhere.
A recognition that I received this year underscores our collective work; my induction into the Governor’s Housing & Economic Development Hall of Fame is a reflection of the dedication of the entire NJCDC team.
We are deeply grateful for the philanthropic partnership that sustains this mission. Long-time supporters like TD and Bank of America continued their strong backing, and new partners including Citibank and Amazon joined our efforts. Importantly, your own generosity fuels the counseling, classrooms, after-school programs, and housing, that change lives.
There is still much to do and with your help, we will do it. Thank you for believing in Paterson, and in the promise of a stronger future.
Valley Bank
Valley Bank
Headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, Valley Bank has built a legacy of partnering with community organizations to expand opportunity, strengthen neighborhoods, and improve quality of life. Through its annual Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, Valley directs capital, grants, and volunteer time to initiatives that advance affordable housing, small business growth, financial inclusion, and local leadership across New Jersey and its operating footprint.
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We salute Valley Bank for steadfast partnership that helps us expand opportunity and strengthen neighborhoods for Paterson’s children and families.
Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
In the most recent year reported, Valley invested more than $2.5 billion to support its communities, including hundreds of millions for community development loans and investments that benefit lowand moderate-income residents and neighborhoods. Additionally, Valley provided more than $5.6 million in charitable giving and logged 16,000+ volunteer hours by team members.
Valley participates in affordable housing strategies through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Housing Program applications and sponsorships, helping nonprofit partners secure significant grants to create and preserve affordable homes. Valley also invests directly in neighborhood revitalization—most recently with $1 million through New Jersey’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program to support the work of six nonprofits (including NJCDC) to advance housing and economic development.
Rooted in New Jersey for nearly 100 years, Valley continues to pair financial strength with civic purpose working hand-in-hand with community partners and municipalities to build communities where everyone can thrive.
Tonight, NJCDC is proud to honor Valley Bank for its consistent, handson partnership and for its unwavering belief that banking can and should be a force for good.
Alex Alicea
We salute Chief Alex Alicea for courageous leadership and dedicated service that keep Paterson safe and strong for our children and families.
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Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO
Alex (Alejandro) Alicea Chief of the Paterson Fire Department
Alex (Alejandro) Alicea is the Chief of Paterson Fire Division the first Hispanic/Latino to hold that distinction when he was sworn in on November 29, 2023, after a period as acting chief. A proud Paterson native and veteran of the National Guard, Chief Alicea rose through the ranks and earned a reputation for calm, decisive leadership on the fireground and a steady hand in the command of staff.
He champions a simple creed: protect life, preserve property, and serve with respect. His priorities include strengthening community trust, modernizing training and readiness, supporting firefighter wellness and morale, and ensuring that Paterson’s residents receive the highest standard of emergency service. He has also emphasized collaboration with city agencies, neighborhood groups, and local institutions to reduce risk, improve response times, and expand public-education efforts around fire prevention and safety.
Chief Alicea’s leadership reflects deep personal roots in the city he serves. Born and educated in Paterson, he understands the resilience of its people and the importance of responsive, compassionate public service. Colleagues know him as an approachable mentor who invests in the next generation of firefighters and leads by example quietly, professionally, and with an unwavering commitment to the team.
Tonight, we are proud to recognize Chief Alex Alicea for his distinguished service to Paterson and for the values he brings to the job every day: courage, accountability, and a genuine devotion to the safety and well-being of our community.
NJCDC’s mental health initiative, NJ4S, held its first Project H.O.P.E. Walk to ‘Make a Difference in Youth Homelessness’
Inspiring and Empowering People with Opportunities to Transform Their Lives
Now in our thirty-first year, NJCDC is a nonprofit 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, affordable housing, and community-building initiatives.
What began in 1994 with two employees and a single AmeriCorps program has grown into a $17 million agency employing more than 150 staff members. Together, they power a cradle-to-college and career pipeline that supports over 4,000 children, teens, and families every day. Our long-term vision remains clear: that all 8,000 children living or going to school in our neighborhood will graduate from high school ready for college and a career.
Paterson is a city of contrasts. Household incomes lag state averages, and many families face steep barriers to opportunity. Yet Paterson is also a place of ingenuity and hope home to a national park that celebrates America’s industrial origins.
Across three decades, NJCDC has invested in people, places, and possibilities:
• Over $120 million invested to revitalize our community
• 15 playgrounds and community gardens created for children and families
• 200+ units of affordable/supportive housing built, many with on-site services
• A preschool, and a K–8 charter school founded and supported, with a Youth Center anchoring teen programming
• 20+ youth development programs operating yearround
Our Community Charter School of Paterson’s mascot welcomes a student at their Welcome Back to School Celebration
Education: Another Word for Opportunity
At NJCDC, education is opportunity. Our free programs for students in grades K–12 are designed to open doors, remove barriers, and set young people on paths to success.
We founded and operate the Paterson Family Center, a preschool that gives 105 of the city’s youngest learners a strong start. We also founded and support the Community Charter School of Paterson (CCSP), which serves more than 900 students in grades K–8. CCSP blends rigorous academics with a caring culture so each child is seen, supported, and challenged.
Beyond the school day, NJCDC serves as lead agency at four Full-Service Community Schools Public School No. 5, the Joseph A. Taub School, International High School, and John F. Kennedy High School. These campuses function as neighborhood hubs with after-school, evening, and summer programming. Students receive tutoring and enrichment; families access workshops and supports; and communities gather for cultural and civic events.
Our Summer STEAM program allows students to have fun while learning during their summer break
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders — Today
We meet young people where they are and stay with them as they grow. Our youth development portfolio extends beyond homework help: it nurtures leadership, wellness, creativity, and civic engagement.
• Paterson Youth Council a year-long leadership training and service program
• Great Falls Youth Center a safe, welcoming space for hundreds of teens
• AmeriCorps the Paterson Community Schools Corps removes barriers to learning; the Paterson Public Health Corps connects youth and families to mental-health resources
• Four Teen Centers promoting healthy lifestyles, enrichment, and postsecondary readiness at area high schools
• NJ4S Passaic County Hub prevention programming and short-term clinical supports delivered by licensed professionals
Over the past year, we’ve focused on designing the next generation of youth spaces. In partnership
with architects and community allies, we’re advancing a new Youth Center, a STEM Learning Center, and the Great Falls Arts Center. Together they will house e-sports and digital media labs, entrepreneurship studios, and a robust college-access suite including “College Central” to guide students from first campus visit to first day of class. These facilities will bring together academic support, hands-on learning, wellness, and a deep sense of belonging.
Former resident O’Brien Walter spoke at our William Waldman Independence House 20th Anniversary Celebration
Building Affordable Housing for Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors
A stable, dignified home is the foundation for everything else. NJCDC develops affordable and supportive housing across Paterson and nearby communities for individuals and families who need it most. To date, we’ve created more than 200 homes, many with on-site services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, youth aging out of foster care, and neighbors who have experienced homelessness.
Housing is more than a roof; it is hope and momentum. We pair brick-and-mortar investments with practical supports that help residents stabilize, set goals, and build brighter futures. These developments strengthen entire blocks and promote safer, more vibrant neighborhoods.
Looking ahead, we are modernizing existing residences where needed and designing new housing, so more neighbors can benefit from stable homes connected to services. Planned investments prioritize accessibility, safety, community space, and long-term sustainability.
NJCDC’s Street Team keeps the Great Falls neighborhood tidy with regular litter pickups
Community Building for a Better and Brighter Paterson
Since 1994, we have believed that the most durable change is built with residents, not for them. We organize, convene, and empower neighbors to shape their own community.
Our Community Advisory Board brings together resident leaders to surface priorities and partner on solutions. We host block clean-ups, beautification projects, and civic gatherings that promote pride of place. Over the years we have created 15 playgrounds and community gardens, turning vacant lots into places where children play and neighbors connect.
We also operate the City of Paterson’s Financial Empowerment Center, which offers free, one-onone counseling to help residents manage debt, build credit, save for emergencies, and plan for long-term goals directly strengthening families and the local economy.
Our neighborhood is home to the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park a crown jewel we long advocated for. The Great Falls honors Paterson’s role in America’s industrial story and has become a regional destination for history, education, and recreation. Community traditions like our Block Party and Holiday Toy Drive and Party knit relationships and strengthen the bonds that make a neighborhood feel like home.
Designing What Comes Next
Alongside day-to-day programs, we are deep into the design phase for several capital projects that will expand opportunity for young people and families:
• A larger Youth Center with flexible program space, a large gymnasium, and “College Central” to help our students thrive
• A STEM Learning Center with labs and maker spaces for robotics, AI, coding, and engineering
• A multi-dimensional arts center to promote performing arts and arts education programming
• New housing that will transform the gateway to our neighborhood and another project that will give more people with disabilities a place to call home
In our projects to expand youth services, these plans reflect what young people say they want most: places to learn new skills, to belong, and to imagine themselves in college and careers that match their talents. As designs advance, we’re aligning partnerships and resources so these spaces open with strong programming on day one.
Governor Murphy and Bob, as NJCDC hosted the Route 19 Renaming Ceremony for the late Congressman Bill Pascrell
Honoring Partners Who Make Transformation Possible
No single organization can meet a city’s needs alone. Our progress is powered by partners public and private who roll up their sleeves alongside us. This year, we are proud to honor:
• Valley Bank a steadfast partner whose commitment goes well beyond philanthropy. Valley brings resources, expertise, volunteers, and genuine care for Paterson and its people. Time and again, they’ve stepped up to help us execute complex projects and expand services. We are grateful for a partnership grounded in shared values and results.
• Alex Alicea, Chief of the Paterson Fire Department honored along with the entire Department for their valor, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our community. When Paterson families face their most difficult hours, our firefighters are there. Their service is a daily reminder of public leadership at its best: courage, compassion, and devotion to neighbors’ safety and well-being.
Our Promise
Everything NJCDC does is animated by a simple belief: opportunity changes everything. We will continue expanding programs for children and families, advancing capital projects to meet emerging needs, and deepening the partnerships that make lasting change possible. As we design and build the next generation of spaces and services, we are guided by the principles that brought us here listening to residents, focusing on results, and never giving up on Paterson’s promise.
Thank you for standing with us. With your support and with partners like Valley Bank and Chief Alex Alicea and the men and women of the Paterson Fire Department—we will keep opening doors, strengthening families, and helping the young people of Paterson write the city’s next great chapter.
Friend Sponsor
Friend Sponsor
Friend Sponsor
Supporter Sponsor
Supporter Sponsor
LeRoy Jones | Idida Rodriguez | Pat Torpey | Dan Smith | Wendy Martinez | Al Harris
Anniversary 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 UNDERWRITERS: The Daleo Family
ANNIVERSARY LEVEL: Valley Bank
BENEFACTOR LEVEL: Broadridge
CELEBRATION LEVEL: Marilyn Clark • Horizon • Ralph Rocco & Family
PSEG • Railroad Construction Company
FRIEND LEVEL: AvalonBay • Enterprise Community Partners
