Resident Organizing

New Community is more than a landlord. It works closely with residents to approach municipal and other elected officials in order to address residents' concerns. The Resident Organizing Department's stated goal is "to work with all residents to preserve life, maintain human rights, protect property, and to promote individual responsibility and community commitment." This goal is realized when residents understand that they are the most important stakeholders in their community and are naturally the most effective agents of change.

The first step in resident organizing occurs when people start talking about an issue. Once an issue is recognized as a common concern, residents identify the appropriate responsibility for all parties involved. Making concerns known and eliciting direct responses are key elements of NCC Resident Organizing workshops and meetings.

NCC housing developments have resident associations and monthly planning and general resident meetings are held. Resident leaders play key roles in raising important issues. In the past, residents have led petition drives and helped raise awareness of issues among politicians, business leaders and neighborhood residents.

Organizing efforts extend to NCC employees, program participants and customers of New Community businesses who, for instance, have been registered to vote and involved in get-out-the-vote efforts organized for local, state and national elections.

NCC residents have been actively involved advocacy and public policy issues and have participated in efforts like the update of Newark's Master Plan and the related Land for Learning Campaign.

NCC's resident organizing efforts reflect the conviction that citizen and community empowerment begin with effective organization and involvement on both the neighborhood and community-wide level.

For more information regarding Resident Organizing, please contact Richard Cammarieri by phoning (973) 639-7047 or email richc@newcommunity.org