Success Stories - New Community Corporation

New Community Corporation has steadfastly remained true to its mission of improving the quality of life for inner city residents since 1968. Take time to learn more about some of the people whose lives have been positively impacted by New Community:

Extended Care Provides ‘Amazing Experience’ for Married Couple

Steven and Jessica Johnson have been married for more than 30 years and have shared many experiences together. Due to different circumstances, they both have required stays at a skilled nursing facility, and at different times they have been patients at New Community Extended Care Facility. Both were extremely happy with the care they received. “We both had an amazing experience,” Jessica said. “New Community made me feel like home. They did the same thing for my husband.” Jessica went to Extended Care about five years ago after having surgery to receive physical therapy to regain the use of her legs. She stayed there less than a month, but during that time, she became involved in the facility, participating in

Former NCC Security Supervisor, Now Newark Police Officer, Returns to NCC as Task Force Officer

Quawee Williams has a long history with New Community. He grew up in NCC housing, worked for the organization’s Security Department for seven years and has returned as a Task Force Officer after achieving a career in law enforcement with the Newark Police Department. Williams joined NCC as a Security Officer in 2012 and was promoted to Supervisor. In his seven years with the department, he worked every shift and at every site. He resigned from his role with NCC Security in September 2019 to become a Newark Police Officer. While he was excited for the opportunity and his next chapter, he was sad to leave New Community. “I loved it here. I loved the people, the community,” he said.

New Community Career & Technical Institute Helps Students with Financial Literacy and Industry Specific Skills

In addition to providing affordable post-secondary education that leads to nationally recognized credentials, New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), which helps educate students in the area of financial literacy. Students learn about credit, budgeting and saving and are provided with tools to help them improve their financial situation. So far in 2020, the FOC helped 80 clients achieve credit score increases and assisted with over 40 job placements, even in the midst of a global pandemic. “NCCTI’s work extends beyond providing quality training services and connecting students to good careers. It also entails sharing valuable tools and educational services to help them make wise financial decisions,” said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton.

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Enjoys Career as Automotive Technician

Four years after graduating from New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), Llewelyn Blair remains enthusiastic about his career path. He is a Class B Automotive Technician at INFINITI of Englewood. Blair is from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and moved to New Jersey for a new experience, the potential for a better job and to be closer to his father. He was interested in pursuing a career in the electrical field because he had studied electrical in high school. When he saw the previous location of NCCTI on Bergen Street and learned it offered career and technical training, he went in to see if he could enroll. At the time, the Building Trades class was full, but he was offered a

New Community Career & Technical Institute Building Trades Graduate Finds Success as Solar Panel Technician

New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) helped launch Terrell Williams into a career as a solar panel technician, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After graduating from high school, Williams entered the workforce because he didn’t want to take on the high debt associated with attending college. After several years, however, he decided to pursue additional education to increase his earning potential. “I wanted to explore a trade school option to see if I could find an affordable one,” Williams said. After doing online research, Williams found NCCTI which was conveniently located for him since he lives in Newark. “When I looked on the website and saw the programs and saw it costs an amount of money that would be

Former CWEP Volunteers Are Now NCC Employees

New Community provides volunteer opportunities for individuals in the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP), which is a core work requirement for public assistance in the state of New Jersey. Two CWEP workers recently found permanent employment at NCC because of their work ethic and commitment to the mission. Both Denise Felix and Tracey Coleman volunteered at the Family Resource Success Center before becoming NCC employees. Family Resource Success Center Director Joann Williams-Swiney said she saw that they would benefit NCC and help fulfill its mission: to help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement. “These are two young ladies that understand that hard work and determination can take you

NCCTI Graduate Now NCC Employee and Celebrity’s Personal Chef

Paula Moore is well on her way to a successful career in the culinary industry. She graduated from the Culinary Arts Specialist program at New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) in August 2019 and has been employed at Extended Care, NCC’s skilled nursing facility, as a cook for a year. She recently started a second job as a personal chef for a local celebrity. “I’m so thankful for everything,” Moore said. “Because this has been quite a journey.” Moore, who was born and raised in New York, had moved to Florida about 15 years ago and stayed after her mother became ill. When her mother passed nearly six years ago, she felt lost. When she was involved in a

NCCTI Graduate Has High Aspirations in Medical Field

Sakirudeen Hamidu has always had a passion for helping the sick and decided he wanted to make it his career. He graduated from New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) in 2019 and now works at RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. He hopes to continue his education through med school. Hamidu began his studies in Ghana, West Africa, where he was born and raised. When he came to the United States in 2018, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field in this country. He was living with his cousin at the time and spoke about his goals. His cousin, who is a nephew of New Community Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, suggested NCCTI and brought

Former Intern Now a Supervisor at New Community

When Flavia Pinheiro was attending Seton Hall University, she didn’t know a summer internship would lead to a full-time job. But that’s what happened. In the summer of 2016, Pinheiro interned at Douglas Homes, 15 Hill St., Newark, under the supervision of the Resident Services Coordinator at the time, Luz Toro. She participated in the internship for the experience, not knowing it would serve as training for her future position. Pinheiro graduated from Seton Hall University in May 2017 with a major in Social and Behavioral Science and a minor in Social Work. For three months before graduation, she interned at Spectrum Works in Secaucus, a nonprofit organization that provides job training for young adults with autism. When Pinheiro graduated,

NCCTI Graduate Thriving in Diesel Field

Ingrid Simeon was part of the first Diesel Technician class at New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI). Upon graduation in 2019, she secured a job as an entry level technician at HFI Truck Center in Mountainside, an Isuzu dealership and repair facility. Simeon went on a tour of HFI Truck Center with her class and made an impression. “What I noticed right away about Ingrid is that she has the desire to learn,” said HFI Truck Center Service Manager Tim Brennan. “We could use three more people like Ingrid.” Simeon enjoys working at HFI Truck Center. While she said it can be a little intimidating being the only female technician, she has found her coworkers are helpful and work