We’re celebrating an important milestone this year — 50 years of service. In the five decades New Community has been incorporated, we have helped to improve the lives of countless individuals, from seniors to families and children to those looking for job training or just a place to live.
One of the lives that New Community has impacted is 17-year-old Lourd Norris of Irvington. Lourd is a senior at Roselle Catholic High School who plans to attend medical school after college and eventually become an orthopedic surgeon. His top college choice is Howard University in Washington, D.C. Lourd is able to get a solid educational background at Roselle Catholic with financial assistance from the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship.
Mom Katrina Vandivier calls the scholarship a blessing because when Lourd was entering high school, his sister was a senior attending a Catholic high school as well. “It’s great knowing there are organizations in the community to help with the rising cost of education,” she said.
Lourd has thrived at Roselle Catholic. He’s involved in sports (volleyball, track and basketball), the debate team, student council and serves as a student ambassador. He participated in an internship at University Hospital’s medical rehabilitation department, went to Harvard University with the debate team for the Model UN gathering and attended a Future Doctors of America conference at the University of Massachusetts.
Lourd, who was inspired to pursue a career in the medical field after watching “House” and seeing his mom work in hospitals, says his Catholic education is putting him a step ahead of other students. He’s happy to have the support to be able to advance.
“It’s important to have organizations to help people go farther,” he said. “Monsignor is a beacon of strength when strength is needed.”
Lourd received the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship for all four years of his high school education. His goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon is possible because of supporters like you.
We ask for your support to help New Community to continue touching lives. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for inner city residents to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement. Our mission must remain alive and grow to give people — such as youth, homeless veterans, job seekers and single mothers — hope for the future. Every gift is valued and the return on your investment will be counted many times over in the lives you touch. Touch a life today by mailing us your donation to 233 West Market St., Newark, NJ 07103 or by making .
May God bless you for giving. It really does make a difference and we are so grateful.
With Sincere Appreciation for Your Generosity,
Monsignor William J. Linder
Founder and Board Chairman
New Community Corporation
A gift of $25, $50, $100, $500 or more will go a long way in helping a young person like Lourd realize his or her dreams; move a homeless family from dependency to self-sufficiency or ensure a poor child receives a quality pre-school education at one of our two early learning centers.