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:

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Builds Career in Health Care, Pursues Further Education

Simone Parkes has always wanted to work in the medical field. She began her career in health care at a job that didn’t require post-secondary training, but after giving birth to her son, she decided she wanted to advance her career and enrolled in the Medical Assistant Clinical (MAC) program at New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI). After completing the program, she began working as a medical assistant and has now decided to further her education and become a nurse. Parkes was working at Summit Health when she became pregnant. When she was on maternity leave, she decided to enroll in NCCTI to obtain her MAC certification. Her cousin completed the MAC program and encouraged her to apply. In

New Community Extended Care Helps Newark Resident Find Quality Care for Her Brother

Frednitta Gunning of Newark coordinates care and serves as power of attorney for her older brother, Stanley McKoy, who has dementia. She was unhappy with the facility he was in and found New Community Extended Care Facility when she was researching alternatives. She moved her brother to Extended Care in May and is happy with her decision. “I was looking for a different level of care for him,” Gunning explained. “And a better quality of life.” When McKoy first needed long-term care, Gunning chose a facility in an affluent neighborhood with a high rating. But once he was there, Gunning found the facility unwelcoming and questioned the quality of care being provided. “I was leaving there every day in tears,

New Community Career & Technical Institute Celebrates the Class of 2025

New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) hosted graduation on June 27 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza, 233 West Market St., Newark. Students who completed the Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, High School Equivalency, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician programs were honored during the ceremony. New Community Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin welcomed graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide their education. “I admire your strength, perseverance and will in getting through this technical school year and mastering your craft,” he said. New Community CEO Simone Gagneron reminded graduates that their journey doesn’t end with obtaining their certificates and that they are always welcome back to the organization, especially since they have made friends and

New Community Career & Technical Institute Student Will Start Automotive Career in Newark

It’s somewhat rare to see a female fixing a vehicle, but New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) student Eula Juanita Lovett hopes that is changing. She will complete the Automotive Technician program at NCCTI in May and already has a full-time job lined up at S&A Auto Center in Newark. Lovett is particularly excited about her job because the auto repair shop is in Newark, where she lives, and is co-owned by a woman. Hilda Mera owns S&A Auto Center with her husband and has requested to be connected with female NCCTI students in the Automotive Technician program. “For me, it is very important to hire women,” Mera said. In addition to hiring female technicians to work on vehicles,

New Community Hosts Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon

New Community hosted an Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon on March 7, which was National Employee Appreciation Day, to honor and celebrate employees who reached career milestones in 2024. A total of 49 employees who have collectively served New Community for 660 years were recognized at the event. CEO Simone Gagneron highlighted the importance of each employee working toward a common goal. She quoted an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” At New Community, Gagneron said only collectively can the organization move forward. She acknowledged that the work involves dealing with real life challenges on a daily basis that can be draining. But she knows that New

New Community Extended Care Helps Homeless Patient Heal and Find Housing

When Leonardo Ortiz arrived at New Community Extended Care Facility, he was homeless and had just been discharged from the hospital after having a toe amputated following an ulcer in his foot. After receiving care at the facility and coordination with his health insurance, Extended Care staff members were able to discharge him to a new home on Jan. 30. Ortiz entered Extended Care in October 2022 after leaving Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He was weak and unable to walk so he participated in physical therapy and received wound care for his foot until it healed completely. Staff members also helped him manage his diabetes. He is grateful for the treatment he received at Extended Care. “If it wasn’t

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Enjoys Helping Others at Newark Community Health Center

Tavaine Salmon decided she wanted to work in the medical field after having negative experiences in health care settings. She wanted to provide better care for patients than she had received so she began researching schools that offered medical training. She found New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) and enrolled in its Patient Care Technician (PCT) program. She graduated from NCCTI in June and now spends her working hours greeting, registering and assisting patients at the Ferry Street location of Newark Community Health Centers Inc. as a Patient Service Representative (PSR). The road to her health care career wasn’t easy but with the assistance of NCCTI staff, Salmon was able to complete the program and find employment. Shortly after

New Community Security Officer Administers Narcan to Men in Need

New Community Security personnel protect the organization’s property, residents and clients. But they sometimes go beyond that scope to help those in need. Security Officer Satoya Williams recently administered Narcan, a drug used to reverse an opioid overdose, to three men in the parking lot of an NCC residence while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Williams was on duty at Commons Senior, 140 South Orange Ave., Newark, on Nov. 17 when a resident informed her that two men were lying on the ground in the building’s parking lot. Her first instinct was to bring Narcan with her when she went outside to investigate. “One of the guys was completely out and the other one was going down so I knew

New Community Extended Care Connects Patient to Resources During Short Stay

Newark resident Vivian Ray was having difficulty walking and pain in her hands. After a brief stay at the hospital, she needed physical therapy in an in-patient facility. She chose to come to New Community Extended Care Facility for services. A little over a month later, she was able to return home after making great progress. Ray said she couldn’t walk and needed help strengthening her legs and hands. Her condition caused her to stay at University Hospital for a short time. The hospital recommended that she receive physical therapy at Extended Care to help in her recovery. She agreed and came to the facility on Sept. 9. Ray called the physical therapy she received at Extended Care “fabulous.” “I’ve come a

Extended Care Facility Helps New Community Resident Return Home

Following a hospital stay, Dorine Edwards needed rehabilitation and physical therapy to strengthen her arms and legs. She has severe arthritis in her legs and a hole in her spine. She chose to come to New Community Extended Care Facility for services. After two months and two weeks at the skilled nursing facility, Edwards was able to return home to New Community Commons Senior. Edwards was familiar with Extended Care prior to entering the facility on March 27. She had been a patient at Extended Care in 2021 receiving similar rehabilitation and physical therapy. She had good experiences for both of her stays. “It’s nice here,” she said. “I like everything.” When University Hospital gave Edwards the choice of several places to