Announcement of New Summer Youth Employment Program for Paterson Teens As Teens Clean Westside Park
WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Photo/Interview Opportunities Available
WHAT:
To announce a new summer youth employment program (Junior YouthBuild) for 40 teens funded by the City of Paterson and to conduct a clean-up around the Shohid Minar monument where the teen employees will paint over graffiti, plant flowers, build an arbor, and complete a general clean-up. The event will be held on August 2nd, and Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres and NJCDC CEO Bob Guarasci will speak at the event.
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 2, 2016, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
11 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.
11:10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(Times subject to change)
NJCDC CEO Bob Guarasci welcomes guests and introduces program participants
Junior YouthBuild and Great Falls Neighborhood Corps program participants speak
Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres speaks
Westside Park cleanup
WHERE:
Westside Park
114 Totowa Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502
The cleanup will be focused on the area surrounding the Shohid Minar monument NJCDC built in 2015.
WHO:
Teens from NJCDC’s summer employment program – Junior YouthBuild – will be beautifying Westside Park. Junior YouthBuild is NJCDC’s new six-week summer employment program—funded by the City of Paterson– focusing on community revitalization activities. Teen employees undertake a number of revitalization projects, such as clean-ups and community garden building. To date, Junior YouthBuild community cleanups have produced 255 bags of trash.
Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres and NJCDC Bob Guarasci will be speaking at the event to express their appreciation of the work these teens are accomplishing to revitalize Paterson.
WHY:
The 28-acre Westside Park has fallen into severe disrepair. NJCDC has been working to improve Westside Park, which is adjacent to the Great Falls National Historical Park, in a comprehensive and sustainable way that aligns it with the ongoing revitalization efforts by the City of Paterson, Passaic County, and the National Park Service, and honors its rich history. As part of the initiative to renovate and revitalize Westside Park, NJCDC, in partnership with the local Bengali community, built the Shohid Minar Monument at the Park to commemorate the fight for Bengali independence. NJCDC has also organized a number of Park cleanups and beautification projects and, with the input of more than 200 Paterson residents, is developing a master plan to revitalize the Park.
VISUALS:
Individual and group shots of program participants and speakers
Program participants beautifying Westside Park
New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) is dedicated to creating opportunities to transform lives within the Great Falls Neighborhood of Paterson, NJ. NJCDC is a private, non-profit community development and social service agency focusing on youth development, education, affordable & supportive housing, and community and economic development. Founded in 1994, NJCDC serves over 2,000 children, teens and families daily, and strives to fulfill its vision that all 8,000 children living in the Great Falls neighborhood will reach adulthood college and career ready.
CONTACT:
Valerie Trawinski, Communications & Events Associate, vtrawinski (at) njcdc (dot) org
Work: 973-413-1608 | Cell: 551-404-5854
