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Golfers braved the heat Sept. 6 to participate in New Community Corporation’s 24th Annual Golf Classic, held at Montclair Golf Club at Rock Spring in West Orange. Proceeds from the event benefit Harmony House, NCC’s transitional housing facility for homeless families; the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship Fund; and NCC’s youth and education programs. Platinum sponsors for the event were Greystone Affordable Development and Withum Audit Tax Advisory.

This was the first golf event held since the passing of New Community Founder Monsignor William J. Linder. Attendees recognized him with a moment of silence during the evening reception, at the request of New Community Board President Dr. A. Zachary Yamba.

“This event is very important, not just as a means of fundraising, but also to continue the legacy that Monsignor Linder left for us,” Yamba said.

New Community CEO Richard Rohrman told participants that while no one will be able to fill Monsignor Linder’s shoes, leadership is working to bring the organization to even greater heights. He cited the ongoing renovations at four Newark housing properties, participation in strategic planning and strides at New Community Workforce Development Center, the accredited post-secondary career and technical school.

“We’re really putting ourselves in a position to preserve Monsignor’s legacy and to move it forward in the areas where he taught us we should go,” Rohrman said.

Yamba highlighted the many services that NCC offers to the community, including housing, job training and health care.

“You name it, New Community is involved in it. But more importantly, the belief in empowering people to do for themselves so they can provide a better future for themselves and their families and the communities that they serve,” Yamba said.

Mary Livermore is one of the people improving her situation with the help of New Community. She shared her story during the Golf Classic reception. Livermore lives at Harmony House with her husband and daughter. They needed housing assistance after her husband became sick and she had to quit her job to care for him and their daughter. They couldn’t pay their rent and welfare was unable to pay the back rent owed.

Now at Harmony House, the family has a place to stay and they can focus on the future. Livermore was a day care teacher for 16 years before she had to quit her job. She is currently attending Essex County College to get her Child Development Associate degree which will help her get hired again in that field.

“Harmony House is a really nice facility that has helped us through a difficult time,” she said. “I’m grateful for what the staff has done for us and I’m looking forward to the future.”

In addition to the brief remarks, the evening reception included dinner, dessert and a silent auction with a variety of items, including purses, scarves, tickets to events and signed photos and memorabilia.

The hole-in-one sponsors for the event were The Blau & Berg Company, Ferry Carpet and Dr. Zachary Yamba.

Golf Classic organizer Tracey Battles, Rohrman and Yamba thanked all attendees for their continued support of New Community.