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:

From Interns to Licensed Professional Counselors: Two FSB Clinicians Share Their Journeys

Alexander Arici and Kimberly Lipari started their careers in mental health services as interns at Family Service Bureau of Newark (FSB), an affiliate of New Community Corporation. Both were earning master’s degrees at Montclair State University when they became interns at FSB and both recently became licensed professional counselors (LPCs) working at the agency. New Jersey requires counselors to be licensed. There are two levels of licensure: licensed associate counselor (LAC) and licensed professional counselor (LPC). Both Arici and Lipari obtained their LAC after completing the graduate program at Montclair State University and passing the National Counselor Examination. Those with an LAC must work under supervision for 4,500 hours, or approximately three years, before becoming eligible to apply for an

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Excelling in Health Care Field

Christina Thornton has always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. When she saw an acquaintance posting about her experience at New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) on Instagram, she decided to learn more. After contacting school staff and receiving additional information, she enrolled in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program. Thornton was impressed with the employer connections NCCTI offered to its students and liked that it was a short-term program. “It was definitely something that I was able to do at the time,” she said. Thornton graduated from the PCT program in 2020 and started working at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (formerly Saint Barnabas Medical Center) in Livingston shortly after as a patient care technician. In

New Community Extended Care Facility Helps Patient Resume Self-Sufficient Lifestyle

When Karen Sewell arrived at New Community Extended Care Facility, she was in poor health. She had experienced two massive heart attacks, a brain aneurysm and a stroke. She had been at University Hospital for one year and spent three months in a coma. She also underwent surgery that required rehabilitation. “They cut out part of my skull to get to my bleeding brain,” she said. “I knew I would need therapy after that.” When she left University Hospital, Sewell spent some time at a couple of other facilities before transferring to Extended Care in March. The New Community facility is closer to her family members. Upon arrival at Extended Care, Sewell was unable to care for herself because of

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Uses Certification to Return to Medical Field

Denise Jones has always been passionate about helping others. She worked as a nursing assistant for 25 years before becoming a substitute teacher for seven years. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and closed schools, she decided she didn’t want to continue working as an educator. Instead, she enrolled in school herself and thanks to New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), she is now working full-time at Newark Community Health Center as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. Jones has lived in Newark for 13 years and was familiar with New Community before enrolling at NCCTI. She knows several people who became licensed practical nurses (LPNs) through an LPN program the organization previously offered. Those individuals spoke highly about their experience

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Begins Medical Career at University Hospital

Quajen Coates didn’t know he wanted a career in the medical field, but after studying at New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) he has plans to pursue a nursing degree. Coates graduated from the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program at NCCTI and currently works in that role in the oncology unit at University Hospital in Newark. Coates first learned about NCCTI from his guidance counselor at KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy, located on Littleton Avenue in Newark. He graduated from high school in 2018 and had been working a variety of jobs including at moving companies and landscaping. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he wasn’t sure what to do. He reached out to his former guidance counselor who provided him

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Becomes Union Member and Entrepreneur

Lamont Rouse was working at Wendy’s when he decided he wanted to further his education and pursue a career in an area other than food service. After doing some research, he found New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI). He originally inquired about computer classes but ultimately decided to enroll in the Building Trades Specialist program. That decision has led to him joining a union and doing construction work with his own business. While Rouse was considering enrolling at NCCTI, he learned that school personnel help students and graduates find jobs in their area of study. That was a big positive for him and contributed to his decision to enroll. When Rouse was halfway through the program, school staff members

NCCTI Student Earns High School Diploma & Culinary Arts Certification

New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) helps students begin careers with a strong educational foundation. The school offers a program for young people to earn their high school diplomas and then obtain certifications in a desirable field. Newark resident Messiah Anderson attended NCCTI, earning a high school diploma and culinary arts certifications. She now has a job as a certified trainer at a restaurant. Anderson was introduced to NCCTI when she was 16. She had dropped out of high school and her mother suggested she join Job Corps, which is a program that helps eligible young people complete their high school education, trains them for careers and assists them with obtaining employment throughout the United States. When Anderson went

NCCTI CMA Student Eddy Oviedo Makes Strides In Her Professional Career After Graduating In 2019

Eddy Oviedo remembers the day she noticed NCCTI on her way to work. “There was a sign that said something about the CMA program being for free, so I called, and that’s how I got in,” said Oviedo. She mentioned that NCCTI offered the same exact course that she was taking before at a university. Eddy’s story is really telling. Eddy is a single mom of five kids who joined the CMA program looking for a steady career. She had no prior professional experience in the medical field, however, Oviedo was determined to establish a career path for herself and her family. “She was such an excellent student, great attendance, fast learner, gave of herself to help her classmates, and

Four Decades of Service: Madge Wilson Continues to Fulfill New Community’s Mission

It’s extremely rare to find an individual who has dedicated more than four decades of their career to one organization. But anyone familiar with New Community knows Madge Wilson who has been a constant at the organization for more than 41 years. Wilson met the late Monsignor William J. Linder, founder of New Community, at Queen of Angels parish in 1962 where he was first assigned after graduating from the seminary and becoming an ordained priest. After he and other community members started New Community in 1968, Wilson became involved. She was one of the founding members of Babyland Nursery, which provided childcare services, in 1969. After New Community constructed housing, Wilson officially joined NCC as an employee in 1980,

New Community Career & Technical Institute Graduate Excels as Diesel Technician

New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) helps its students launch careers in sectors that provide living wages for them and their families. One of those students who is enjoying success is Samad Sharrief who is currently employed as a diesel technician. Sharrief first enrolled in the Automotive Technician program at NCCTI, which he completed in 2017. To increase his earning potential, he returned to NCCTI as part of its first Diesel Technician class, which he completed in 2019. Sharrief is now working as a diesel technician for Penske in Dayton, N.J., where he performs preventive maintenance and repairs on trucks as well as smaller vehicles. “Samad is a talented technician. He came to NCCTI with a great attitude to