The Paterson Alliance will provide grants to each of five member organizations who create programs to benefit residents of Paterson. Recipients of our 2022 grants are:
Green Acre Community Garden is an urban farm in Paterson’s fourth ward founded in 2014 by long-time Paterson resident Deacon Willie Davis. They will be granted $5,000 to further their mission to grow culturally-relevant fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the community. They are a fully grassroots volunteer-powered non-profit organization. What used to be an underutilized lot is now a green space where families can safely interact with nature and learn about sustainable agriculture. Their community farm stand addresses the chronic lack of healthy food in the neighborhood by providing families with free, fresh produce. https://greenacrecommunitygarden.org/
Contact Deacon Willie Davis at greenacrespaterson@gmail.com
New Direction Community Development Corporation will implement a new GriefShare program at Christ Church United Methodist with their $3,000 grant. GriefShare will give families or individuals in Paterson a safe space during or after the loss of a loved one. These families and individuals will benefit by gaining a support system as well as tools and practices that will assist them in navigating through the grieving process in a healthy and healing way.
Contact Arlena Clayton at arlenaclay@aol.com
SOLID Foundation’s Youth Outreach programs provide opportunities that dramatically and positively impact Paterson’s youth. Skating sessions are held twice each week with 30-40 participants per session, and engage youth in a healthy activity that keeps them off the streets. Skaters are able to pick themselves up off the ground time after time to learn a trick on a skateboard. This learned and practiced resilience helps them become successful in every area of life. SOLID provides mentors, computers and programs to help with homework assistance, and prepare youth for a future with job preparation activities. Paterson Alliance’s $4,000 grant will train and certify staff and volunteers with safety, CPR and first aid education so they are prepared for any emergency. www.skatecreateconnect.org
Contact Executive Director Steven Wolfe at swolfe@skatecreateconnect.org
St. Luke Community Development Corporation will receive a $5,000 grant to support their Saint Luke Freedom School, a summer enrichment program for Paterson children ages 5 to 13. It is offered in partnership with Children’s Defense Fund and operates for six weeks each summer. The Freedom School model offers high-quality academic enrichment; parent and family involvement; civic engagement; intergenerational servant leadership development; and nutrition, health, and mental health services.
Contact Rev. Kenneth Clayton at kdrclayton@stlukebaptist.org
The Amazing Help hosts the GPS (growth, prosperity, selflove) Clubhouse Program to provide school-aged children and teens with a caring, stimulating, and encouraging environment that promotes social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. The Amazing Help will receive a grant of $4,000 to further their work. GPS conducts an assessment of the children and teens, then provides developmentally appropriate activities that allow children to thrive. Curriculum is guided by the Nurtured Heart Approach, a relationship-focused methodology to help create and maintain healthy relationships with people throughout life. http://theamazinghelp.org/
Contact Executive Director Kimone James at theamazinghelp@gmail.com
The Paterson Alliance is a coalition of 80 nonprofit organizations, uniting nonprofits and community partners in collaboration to create a vibrant Paterson. Paterson Alliance nonprofits have touched every neighborhood in Paterson, bringing support, compassion and community. Together they serve all areas of need, from food and housing to childcare and education, from health and homelessness to job and life-skills training.
Contact:
Inge Spungen
201-233-3048
