Newark, NJ: January 4, 2009
It’s Wednesday February 11, 2009 and The Bring Hope Home bus, with celebrities Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean and DJ Angie Martinez, pulls up in front of a home that had been foreclosed and abandoned. As the group tours the home, it is evident what a devastating effect that the foreclosure crisis has had on the urban communities, such as Newark. That home had been purchased from the lender by ECD and today is close to being completely rehabilitated and ready for sale to a first time home buyer. This is what Neighborhood Stabilization is about.
It’s Wednesday February 11, 2009 and The Bring Hope Home bus, with celebrities Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean and DJ Angie Martinez, pulls up in front of a home that had been foreclosed and abandoned. As the group tours the home, it is evident what a devastating effect that the foreclosure crisis has had on the urban communities, such as Newark. That home had been purchased from the lender by ECD and today is close to being completely rehabilitated and ready for sale to a first time home buyer. This is what Neighborhood Stabilization is about.
It’s Thursday March 26, 2009 and there is a crowd gathering at the new CHCRC. Staff and friends of ECD are coming together to celebrate the Grand Opening of the CHCRC. As its name suggests, the CHCRC will serve as a one stop resource for residents to access information, referrals and services all aimed at improving their quality of life. A broad range of services geared specifically to families is planned, including after school and mentoring programs for children as well as access to computers and specialized training for parents. Screening will be offered to all individuals and families visiting the facility, to assess their eligibility for various support programs and services. The Center will also provide a variety of flexible meeting spaces for block associations and other community based organizations to hold their meetings and public events.
It’s Wednesday May 6, 2009 and New Jersey’s Governor Jon Corzine has just announced the awards of the State NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) Funds. ECD was awarded to two contracts totally $3,700,000, making the ECD the largest single recipient in the State. This award will let ECD acquire, rehabilitate and put back in service 49 homes with approximately 135 affordable units.
It’s Saturday July 25, 2009 and it’s a hot steamy afternoon in Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park Music festival is in full swing. Set up along the north side of the stage are a number of booths, including one for the Newark/Essex Foreclosure Taskforce. Included in the staffing of the booth are members of ECD’s Foreclosure Counseling Staff. Taking the information to the streets to let people know about foreclosure prevention programs and tenant’s rights if their home is foreclosed.
It’s Thursday August 20, 2009 and a group of people are gathered at 132-136 Hawthorne Avenue in Newark. It’s a sweltering summer day, but that hasn’t deterred anyone from coming out, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker. The occasion is the dedication of ECD’s new eight unit affordable rental building. Not only does this building have same of the largest affordable units around, but replaces an abandoned apartment building that stood symbol of blight that once was this neighborhood. Today, this neighborhood now stands a testament to what concentrated redevelopment can do to build community.
It’s October 1, 2009 and a group is gathered outside The Franklin House, ECD’s latest affordable rental project. This 95 unit Senior Housing Project has brought out local dignitaries, including Franklin’s Mayor, the area’s State Senator and a County Freeholder. This is the celebration of the completion of badly needed resource for the residents of this rural community.
It’s Thursday December 17, 2009 and a group of people are huddled around the conference table in the City of Newark’s Housing Assistance Division, stacks of papers arrange in front of a young lady who is about to become a first time homeowner. This is the scene of the most recent sale of an ECD developed affordable home. This is a brand new two family home that will bring to 103 the number affordable units put into service by ECD in 2009. 
It’s Sunday December 20, 2009 and the ground is covered from the previous night’s snow but the Clinton Hill Community Resource Center (CHCRC) is unusually busy. Despite the cold temperature and slippery conditions, hundreds of low income South Ward residents have come out to collect holiday gifts for their children as part of Operation Holiday sponsored by CHRCRC and its parent organization ECD (Episcopal Community Development). By the end of the day Operation Holiday had distributed gifts for 567 children.
It’s Sunday December 20, 2009 and the ground is covered from the previous night’s snow but the Clinton Hill Community Resource Center (CHCRC) is unusually busy. Despite the cold temperature and slippery conditions, hundreds of low income South Ward residents have come out to collect holiday gifts for their children as part of Operation Holiday sponsored by CHRCRC and its parent organization ECD (Episcopal Community Development). By the end of the day Operation Holiday had distributed gifts for 567 children.
It’s Thursday December 31, 2009 and ECD has seen one of its most productive years in its history. The year saw staff increase by more than 100%, Welcome to Ben, Donyea, Todd, Melissa, Jo Ann, Jesideh, Riquie, Andre’ and Donyea.
To Be Continued..............in 2010............