Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships – Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships

University and Partners Break Ground on Paterson Housing Project

guzmanm — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:33:48 +0000

Phase 2 of One Square Mile initiative commences with Passaic County Habitat for Humanity partnership

Community and philanthropic partners joined elected officials and ��vlog on June 4 for a special groundbreaking ceremony for a new home to begin addressing housing inequities in Paterson, New Jersey.

The project is the first initiative in Phase 2 of One Square Mile (OSM), the hyperlocal, place-based initiative supported by the designed to revitalize a designated area of Paterson that began in February 2023. Phase 2 will focus on creating housing solutions for Paterson residents in the first, fourth and fifth wards of the city over the next five years.

Through the partnership, will construct its 300th new home in the city of Paterson, a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom home, which will be located at 45 Auburn Street. Other partners on the project include ADP and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

View full story here!

��vlog and Partners Launch Public Phase of One Square Mile Initiative in Paterson

guzmanm — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:27:10 +0000

Community partners to join in multi-year plan to create housing solutions for Paterson residents

Community and philanthropic partners joined elected officials and ��vlog on November 21 for the launch of Phase 2 of One Square Mile (OSM), the hyperlocal, place-based initiative designed to revitalize a designated area of Paterson, New Jersey that began in February 2023.

The second phase of One Square Mile is the result of a yearlong effort to understand the needs of the community through the formation of the Paterson One Square Mile Community Advisory Committee of community leaders in Paterson. The pilot phase of the initiative was made possible through support from .

After working to turn Paterson’s Eastside High School into a University-assisted community school, Phase 2 of One Square Mile will focus on creating housing solutions for Paterson residents in the first, fourth and fifth wards of the city over the next five years.

View full story here!

Building A Public Purpose University: Honoring The Legacy of Kenneth Brook

guzmanm — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:27:44 +0000

Join us for a day of conversation and remembrance in honor of Dr. Kenneth Brook! In 1994, Dr. Ken Brook, along with close colleagues, began work to develop Montclair’s service-learning program as a first step toward integrating civic and community-engaged learning into the curriculum and institutional mission. Nearly three decades later, Ken Brook’s vision of a public purpose university, one committed to social justice and the public good, continues to flourish and expand.

Montclair Joins Thirteen Bonner Institutions in Coalition For Civic Preparedness

guzmanm — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:28:20 +0000

Created by, with, and , the consortium brings together a diverse group of campus leaders from a broad range of higher education institutions across the country. Members share the perspective that it is the responsibility of higher education to equip students with the critical civic skills to participate effectively in a democracy, engage in civil discourse, and express themselves responsibly.

The Opening of The Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium

guzmanm — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:02:46 +0000

On April 11th, 2024, ��vlog opened the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey. Guests and officials gathered together for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and for special remarks after the ceremony.

To read more about the event and Paterson Native, Chuck Muth’s contribution, click on the link below!

/newscenter/2024/04/11/montclair-state-university-opens-the-charles-j-muth-museum-of-hinchliffe-stadium/

Click for the CBS News article of the opening!

(From left) Paterson Superintendent of Schools Laurie Newell, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, President Jonathan Koppell, Charles J. Muth, Laura Muth and Developer Baye Adofo-Wilson help cut the ribbon.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Chuck Muth and Laura Muth during the program.

From left, developer Baye Adofo-Wilson, museum benefactors Chuck and Laura Muth and University President Jonathan Koppell at the entrance to the museum.

Museum Director Jessica Bush says the museum offers visitors the chance to discover the stadium’s profound national historical significance.

Paterson Public Schools Superintendent Laurie W. Newell with Paterson Board of Education President Manny Martinez, Montclair’s educational partners.

Montclair Students Participate in Alternative Spring Break

chicad — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:27:48 +0000

Last week, ��vlog students participated in Alternative Spring Break, an annual event that gives students the opportunity to do community service. Instead of spending their break from school at home, these students chose to give back to their communities by volunteering at local agencies.

The volunteer coordinator at the Center for Student Involvement is responsible for planning the week and providing opportunities to those who want to serve. This year, volunteer coordinator Suzette Shaw, prepared a memorable week for all of those involved. For the first day of volunteering, students served at Father English Food pantry where they sorted through donations, packed bags of food, and organized shelves.

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On the second day of service, students volunteered at Camp YDP. There, the students organized the library, cleaning up shelves, discarding old books and arranging new books. On the third day, students served at the HUUB where they stained a porch, painted a water drain, and sanded outdoor furniture and railings. On the fourth and final day, students completed service at Brookdale Park. With the sun shining above them, students cut through invasive trees and shrubs and cleaned up sticks and debris from the area they worked on.

Overall, students served a total of 100 hours and were able to support the efforts of four different organizations. The Office of Community Engagement and the Center for Student Involvement are grateful for the hard work of the students who participated. Both offices are looking forward to an equally successful event next year.

Paterson’s Promise

guzmanm — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 20:46:23 +0000

“After school at Paterson’s Public School No. 15, in a neighborhood facing challenges, its community service programming is in full swing, with classes in the performing arts presented as a means to boost student achievement. Nicholas Rodriguez, the executive artistic director of Inner City Ensemble, leads elementary students in stillness, mindfulness, movement and more. The uniform-clad group of students mimic his moves, then dance through their routine as he plays Santana’s “Smooth.”

A Juilliard-trained dancer and choreographer, Rodriguez got his start with this same ensemble in his hometown of Paterson, dancing with his older brother in the group’s first performance. He’s come full circle, now running the arts nonprofit that ignited his passion for dance and provides free training and performing opportunities for underserved youths in Paterson.

Rodriguez is one of many who believe – despite its deep struggles – in Paterson’s promise. There is profound pride and a deep reservoir of hope among the city’s community activists, 110 nonprofits and volunteers that outcomes can be better, that streets can be safer, and fewer lives can be lost to addiction and gun violence.”

Read full story and learn more about the “One Square Mile” project HERE!

Over 100 Bonners Gather for 2023 Bonner Congress in Black Mountain, NC

guzmanm — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 01:27:28 +0000

Approximately 100 Bonner Scholars and Leaders gathered in Black Mountain, North Carolina at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly from Oct 27-29 for an inspiring and engaging three days. The 2023 Bonner Congress theme was Making Mountains Move, a metaphorical concept that encapsulated the essence of overcoming challenges, the natural mountainous environment of the host site, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Just as moving a mountain is a seemingly impossible task, this theme encouraged participants to explore innovative strategies, determination, and collaboration to surmount obstacles, achieve ambitious goals, and effect positive change.

Read full story here:��

Bringing It #113: Relationships to Partnerships: Anchor Institutions and ��vlog

guzmanm — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 20:39:02 +0000

Montclair’s ethos of building partnerships as opposed to simply building relationships points towards a new era for anchor institutions and community engaged learning. Montclair’s community development projects are economic, cultural, and unique to Paterson.

Thanks so much to Bryan Murdock for his advice and perspective in telling this story.

Read full story and learn more about bringing theory to practice !

Spirit of 9/11 Unites Campus for Day of Service, Remembrance

guzmanm — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 19:37:52 +0000

On the National Day of Service and Remembrance, ��vlog volunteers observed the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by supporting community partners, including helping to build homes, feed the hungry and organize donations. A campus-wide donation drive contributed school supplies for students at Eastside High School in Paterson.

The efforts of nearly 400 students, faculty and staff on Saturday, September 9 rekindled the spirit of unity that arose in America in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

“Service acts as a uniting force that allows us to remember, yes the sadness of the day, but also the ways we are capable of coming together and helping each other,” says Krystal Woolston, assistant director of the Center for Community Engagement, which sponsors the event to allow students to serve in a meaningful way.�� “I hope that’s the lesson students leave with each year.”

Before heading out to about 30 different nonprofit organizations and community partners, students heard from Bill Spade, a retired New York City firefighter, and Jim Fraser, a naval officer who served at the Pentagon. Despite the 22 years that have elapsed, the Day of Service evokes the spirit of togetherness that followed the attacks, they said.

“I think students learn from the event every year, which is valuable because so many of our young students weren’t alive during that time period,” Woolston said.

Gabrielle Renee ’22, Montclair Bonner Leader alumna, sings the National Anthem during the opening ceremony.

As in years past, students volunteered both on and off campus, spreading out across the region. Among the volunteers were students from the Bonner Leaders, NextGen, AmeriCorps, Montclair’s sororities and fraternities, and faculty and staff, many who brought their families to work alongside them.

At the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, Keiva-Nevaeh Edghill, a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Leadership Development through Civic Engagement, said her group helped pack 315 boxes with various food items. “It was an amazing experience,” she said. “I’ve been at the food bank previously, but knowing that I made some type of impact in people’s lives when they receive these packages is why I continue to go back.”

During Montclair’s National Day of Service and Remembrance, volunteers provided helping hands to a variety of nonprofits, including organizing donations, stocking shelves, building hoes and feeding the hungry. Shown are students at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.��

Interim Bonner Leader and Service Coordinator Mikaela Guzman introduces speakers at Montclair’s Day of Service and Remembrance. “After serving, participants were eager about the next time they could volunteer,” she said. “I think that speaks a lot about the culture of the community that we have worked to create.”

Students said volunteering gives them the opportunity to give back to the community and create a positive impact. Montclair’s mascot, Rocky the Red Hawk, lends a hand.��

At the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in HIllside, a volunteer sorts foods to be distributed to network partners and members of the community.��

Montclair President Jonathan Koppell helps students prepare for lunch at Eva’s Village in Paterson. The shelter provides care and support to individuals struggling with hunger, homelessness, substance use disorders and mental health issues.��

Working hard and still smiling.

President Jonathan Koppell talks with Angela Vance, volunteer coordinator at Eva’s Village. The Community Kitchen is often the entry point for clients who receive other social services or behavioral health support from Eva’s Village.��

At the St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, a University volunteer helps to unload a food truck serving the soup kitchen.

Student volunteers distribute food at the St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth.

At Passaic County Habitat for Humanity, Nicole Fleming, right, director of Special Events, and Julia DelBagno, assistant dean of Student Engagement, were among the staff and students who volunteered at homes in Paterson.

At the Habitat for Humanity site, volunteers from Montclair and Seton Hall University worked together on various jobs, moving lumber, installing a fence, painting, and insulating walls and ceilings.

Volunteers also assisted at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Branch Brook, Clifton Garden Club, Dress for Success Northern New Jersey, Father English food pantry and thrift shop, Montclair’s Global Center on Human Trafficking, MedShare, Montclair Community Farms, Montclair History Center, Pillar Care, Saint Peter’s Haven, Succeed2gether, United Passaic Organization Visiting Health Service of New Jersey, and YMCA of Montclair.

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters and John J. LaRusso