News

September 12, 2022

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL” GIVEAWAY AND RESOURCES EVENT AT ROBERTO CLEMENTE SCHOOL AT 257 SUMMER AVENUE POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, FROM 3 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M

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Newark, NJ – September 12, 2022 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles, the Newark Public Schools, and Amerigroup will partner to host a “Welcome Back to School” Giveaway and Resource event at Roberto Clemente Elementary School, located at 257 Summer Avenue, on Wednesday, September 14, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

At the giveaway, the City, Amerigroup, and United Community Corporation (UCC) will give out bags full of school supplies to youth on a first-come, first-served basis. UCC is providing groceries to families. Everyone in attendance can learn about Amerigroup Medicare and Medicaid benefits. New Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) will provide COVID-19 vaccinations and take-home tests. There will also be games, a balloonist, a food truck, face painting, and a deejay.

“This giveaway is an important part of our ‘Back Together Again’ initiative, helping our youth receive the support they need to have a successful school year and provide our families in need with food,” Mayor Baraka said. “As a lifelong educator in the Newark Public Schools system, I understand the importance of providing our youth with the supplies they need to get a good education. I thank our partners for their support of this year’s ‘Welcome Back to School Giveaway.’”

This year’s event is being held at Roberto Clemente Elementary School, to honor the legendary Puerto Rican baseball pioneer and humanitarian on the 50th anniversary of his final season in the major leagues. Mr. Clemente is being honored as part of the observances for Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place in September.

“This Friday we are following Roberto Clemente’s legacy of love and giving in our community,” said Deputy Mayor Quiles. “As Roberto said, ‘Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.’”

“United Community Corporation is passionate about partnerships to serve people in need. Beginning the school year with resources and groceries sets families in a lane of success. When we serve together we can reach more people in need,” said UCC Assistant Director of Engagement Alena Minatee.

“We are extremely excited to start this school year on such a positive note and we are grateful to the Mayor, City of Newark, and all who have contributed to the book bag giveaway at Roberto Clemente School,” said Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León.

The following organizations will be represented at the event: UCC; AT&T; Federal Express; La Casa de Don Pedro; Liberty Dental; Clinton Hill; Citizen Action; University Hospital NBOE; NJCRI; Amerigroup Medicaid & Medicare; The Leaguers; the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness; and the Newark Fire Division.

One of the state’s most comprehensive HIV/AIDS community-based organizations, NJCRI will provide COVID-19 vaccinations at the event.

This year, Amerigroup will donate more than 15,000 school supplies to youth across New Jersey to support a successful transition back to school.

“Amerigroup is committed to improving lives and communities, and that includes helping kids with a successful start to the school year,” said Teresa Hursey, Amerigroup New Jersey Plan President. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with various community organizations to ensure students and their families’ needs are met, including access to food, COVID-19 vaccinations, and critical health information.”

For additional information, contact Deputy Mayor Quiles at (973) 733-4310.

About United Community Corporation: UCC has been the Community Action Agency of the City of Newark since it was created in 1964. Since that time, UCC has provided residents of Newark and Essex County with a wide umbrella of services including two homeless shelters, two food and clothing pantries, homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, rental/mortgage assistance, housing assistance, low-income housing development and maintenance, energy assistance, lead-paint abatement, job training and preparedness, and youth, family, and senior services. While UCC was always well known, it stepped up during the pandemic and has served over 250,000 people since March 2020.

-NEWARK-

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