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 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

New Community Career & Technical Institute Celebrates Graduates

New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) hosted graduation on June 14 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza, 233 West Market St., Newark. Students who completed the Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Culinary Arts Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician programs were honored during the ceremony. New Community Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin congratulated the graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide them with the skills needed to start a new career. He also encouraged them to always put in their best effort. “There may be some tasks that might be unsuccessful or challenging, but at least you know in your heart you gave it your all. Control what you can control,” he said. “Be accountable

New Community Recognizes Employees Who Have Reached Career Milestones

New Community hosted Employee Appreciation Day on March 1, which was National Employee Appreciation Day, to honor and celebrate employees who reached career milestones in 2023. A total of 46 employees were recognized at the event with a combined total of 590 years of service. New Community CEO Simone Gagneron told the honorees that the organization would not be able to fulfill its mission without them. “These milestones do not only represent years of service, but they represent individual lives that you have changed for the better,” she said. “This work would not be possible without your commitment, your dedication and all the results of what you all have presented. NCC would not be possible without you. So we are

Longtime Security Personnel Reflect on Time at New Community

It’s rare for an individual to stay with a particular company for decades, but there are five members of New Community’s Security Department who have worked for the organization for 30 years or more. Jerome Barrow, William Folsom, Michelle Grier-Porch, Malinda Liptrot and Gerard Mansare have more than 165 years of service to New Community combined. Folsom has the longest tenure with New Community. He will celebrate 40 years as a security officer in August. He has worked mainly in the organization’s residential buildings, with Hudson Senior in Jersey City currently serving as his main post. He started his NCC career at Extended Care where he met his wife who was working in the facility’s kitchen. The couple will celebrate