Law Day 2018

This past Tuesday, the Newark Youth Court hosted its annual Law Day event sponsored by the Newark Municipal Court. Youth Court members moderated a panel which included The Honorable Chief Judge Williams, Yeneisha Warrick, Esq , Municipal Prosecutor, Charlene McGregor, Esq. Municipal Prosecutor, Stephanie Range, Esq. Municipal Prosecutor and Alan Kamel, Esq, Municipal Public Defender. The panelist were asked questions related to this year's Law Day theme, "Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom". Following the panel, three attorneys led individual breakout sessions that focused on the branches of government and how they influence juvenile justice and youth related issues. The three topics were, Gun Violence Initiative- Legislative, School to Prison Pipeline- Judicial, and Juvenile Justice in New Jersey – Executive. Overall the event was a huge success and we received great feedback from the Youth Court members. This year's Law Day event gave members a chance to really connect with the legal professionals in attendance through questions and discussions on issues that resonated with them. 

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped bye to wish the kids good luck and watch them in action! :)

Community Service in Action - Rutgers addition

Down Bottom Farms – Newark, NJ

On the first beautiful Saturday of an otherwise dreary spring, Newark Community Solutions staffers Raul Hernandez and Jukie Tsai worked alongside students and staff of the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice Doctoral program at Ironbound Community Corporation’s Down Bottom Farms. Formerly a freight rail yard -- as evinced decaying train tracks underfoot -- Down Bottom Farms is vibrant urban farm with raised plant beds, a fruit tree orchard, and hand painted murals.  The day served as the annual community service project for the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice and, in addition to laying mulch and weeding the plant beds, participants learned about the work that NCS does at Down Bottom Farms. Through an ongoing partnership with Ironbound Community Corporation, NCS clients perform their community service at ICC locations, including Down Bottom Farms, throughout the year. Completing an array of different tasks, NCS clients have helped to get the farm ready for a number of summer programs including the ICC Farmers Market. For more info on the market please visit: http://ironboundcc.org/down-bottom-farms/

 Celebrity Reads 2018

On a bright winter morning in February, Newark Community Solutions staff and interns participated in one of the most vital and frankly the most delightful community events of the year.   Celebrity Reads is a literacy initiative created by the United Way of West Essex close to 30 years ago with the goal of recruiting local volunteers to model their love of reading to pre-k and elementary school kids.  The initiative runs over several weeks in multiple school but on this day NCS was at Hawkins Street Elementary School where the festivities kicked off in – where else – the library!

After introductions and breakfast, the “celebrity readers” selected books with some guidance from the school librarian, Mrs. Jones. Before the reading began the school’s cheer squad and dance troupe performed followed by a recitation of poems, one of which was shared line-by-line by a fantastic group of third graders.  Readers then made their way to selected classrooms escorted by young volunteers who made sure to point out all the amazing art projects mounted on the school’s walls along the way.  

Each volunteer read to two classrooms spending about an hour with each class. The kids were enthusiastic and asked lots of questions keeping readers on their toes. It was an amazing day enjoyed by the kids (and just as much if not more by the grownups). We are already looking forward to next year!

Lights, camera, ACTION!!

Newark Youth Court members and staff prepare for the filming of a mock trial with the crew from PBS NewsHour.  Stay tuned for more details including the upcoming air date!