To be able to take the course you must be eligible to apply for U.S. Naturalization (N-400)

SCHEDULE:
Evening: Monday – Thursday, 6 – 9 p.m.

COURSE PERIOD:
Evening: July 9, 2012 to September 17, 2012

Please visit our Personal Development Division office at 39 Broadway to complete a pre-registration form. For more information, please contact Johanna Murphy, (973) 481-4713, ext. 3302.

To see the flyer click here.

CLASE DE CUIDADANIA EN INGLES

HORARIO: Noche: Lunes a Jueves, 6 pm – 9 pm

PERIODO DE CURSO: Noche: 9 de Julio del 2012 hasta el 17 de Septiembre del 2012

REQUISITO: Deben calificar para solicitar la naturalización.

Si desea matricularse, favor de visitar nuestra oficina para completar un formulario de inscripción.  Para más información, comuniquese con:
Johanna Murphy, (973) 481-4713, ext. 3302

Para ver el afiche haga un click aqui

To qualify you must

- Be a woman 40 years or older

- Have no health insurance

- Live in Essex County.

To see the flyer click here

Llamando todas las mujeres de 40 anos y mas sin seguro medico. Tenemos Exámenes Gratis de Mamografía, Papanicolaou y Colon

Para cualificar, usted debe:
- Ser una mujer de más de 40 años
- Estar sin seguro de salud
- Vivir en el Condado de Essex

Fecha: Miércoles 9 de mayo del 2012
Lugar: Centro de Éxito Familiar de La Casa
23 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104
Para registrarse por favor llame al: 973-483-2703

Esta iniciativa está auspiciada por el Departamento De Niños y Familias (DCF), la fundación de Healthcare de New Jersey, Fundación de Horizon y el Banco de America.

Para ver el afiche haga un click aqui.

If you’re interested in volunteering with La Casa’s clean-up programs please contact Melissa Ramos at (973) 485-0701 x4602.

• Block Watch Training

In partnership with The Newark Police Department the team is offering Lower Broadway Resident Groups Block Watch Training.  Anyone interested can contact Roberto Frugone at La Casa de Don Pedro at (973) 485-0701 ext 4641. Sessions can be scheduled with groups of 6-25 people.

• First Time Homebuyer Classes

Informational sessions on what to do to prepare to be a first time homeowner are held quarterly.  The most recent course was held in March and the next is scheduled for June.  All those interested in purchasing one of La Casa’s new or renovated homes MUST attend a class, and most will qualify for Newark’s downpayment assistance program.  The classes cover topics such as obtaining good credit, mortgage approval process, down payment assistance programs, affordable housing opportunities, and much more. Please contact Chanda Gaither for more information or if you’re interested in attending an upcoming class at cgaither@lacasanwk.org.  Click HERE for further information about the homebuyer process including the application and flyers of the homes for sale.

• Lower Broadway Stabilization Homes Groundbreaking

Mayor Booker joined La Casa on March 27th to celebrate the official ground breaking of the five two family new construction affordable homes to be built in Lower Broadway.  The event took place at the future home of the first home – 19-23 Victoria  , March 27th 2012 La Casa de Don Pedro’s Stabilization Housing department hosted a Groundbreaking event.   The Mayor’s presence reflects the value and admiration of these efforts.  Click HERE for press coverage from NJ.COM and HERE for coverage from the Newark Patch.   To view photos of the event click HERE. For more information on purchasing one of La Casa’s homes contact Kimberly El-Sadek at kel-sadek@lacasanwk.org.

• Block Association Development

Through the leadership of many Lower Broadway residents, there are many Block Associations meeting and taking action.  Recent activities include tree planting, strategic planning for safety, technical assistance, working with the City of Newark.  There has even been the development of an overarching Lower Broadway Neighborhood Association consisting of leaders of the block associations as well as other community leaders. For more information please call 973.485.0701 ext. 4601.

• Business Fascade Improvement Program

La Casa de Don Pedro along with the Project for Public Space developed the Façade and Streetscape Guideline and Standards for the Lower Broadway Commercial Corridor. The program’s goal is to revamp the Lower Broadway Commercial Corridor storefront appearances. Every business that signs up and qualifies for the new program will be able to pick the design and layout for their sign that will match other signs of the corridor and bring unity to the businesses. The city wants to make the commercial corridor simple, neat, and inviting to consumers. For every dollar the business puts up for a new store front, the city will match it with $3. It’s a great opportunity for businesses in the Lower Broadway Commercial Corridor to upgrade and attract new customers. For more information contact Roberto Frugone at rfrugone@lacasanwk.org.

• Ramon Rivera Community Garden Cleanup

On Tuesday, March 13th 2012 the LISC AmeriCorps group of Newark cleaned the Ramon Rivera Garden developed by La Casa at 70 Mount Prospect Ave.  Volunteers removed trash, weeded, and turned the soil in preparation for spring planting.   Some community members that live around the garden came out and expressed their gratitude for its fresh new look. There are several plots within the Ramon Rivera Garden that are still available for anyone that is interested in owning their own space to garden. Please contact Joel Nunez at jnunez@lacasanwk.org.

• Just One Soccer Program

La Casa has a strong presence in this citywide children’s soccer program.  La Casa is sponsoring three teams (China, Australia, and India of the Little Kickers age range) and our outreach staff attend all games to share information about programs and services to the parents who attend the games.  Check out the program’s website by clicking HERE.

See the March/April edition of the neighborhood newsletter for more information by clicking here.

US Senator Robert Menendez and 225 other supporters enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing in celebration of La Casa de Don Pedro’s 40^th Anniversary on Wednesday, April 4^th, 2012 at Newark’s Prudential Center.

The event celebrated the social service and community development corporation’s 40^th Anniversary and recognized the city’s treasured places, institutions, and rising leaders. Landmark Institution honorees were Branch Brook Park, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, The New Jersey Historical Society, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark City Hall, Newark Museum, Newark Public Library, Newark Symphony Hall, Rutgers-Newark, and WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM Radio.  Recognized individuals included prominent Newark figures as well as unsung heroes.  They were parent and teacher Bernadina Alcocer, college student Kevin Gonzalez, Monsignor William J. Linder of New Community Corporation, the late Congressman Donald Payne, Just One Soccer Executive Director Oscar Rodriguez, and community organizer Movena Ross.

The evening was led by Lynda Baquero, NBC 4 New York Consumer Reporter.  Other speakers were Zoraya E. Lee-Hamlin, La Casa’s Board President, Senator Robert Menendez, Prudential Foundation Vice President Shané Harris, and Executive Director Raymond Ocasio.

“Forty years ago Newark needed to come together as a community,” said Senator Menendez. “It needed healing.  La Casa saw this need and took on the commitment to roll up its sleeves and begin to rebuild. Since then it has maintained its dedication to working hard, empowering individuals and families, and of course revitalizing neighborhoods. My sincerest congratulations to La Casa de Don Pedro, for not only being a Newark Treasure, but a gift to New Jersey as a whole, ¡Bien Hecho!.”

Among the attendees were members of La Casa’s 40^th Anniversary Honorary Committee, including Joel Bloom, President of NJIT, Deborah Boatright, Regional Director of NeighborWorks America, NJ Assemblyman Thomas Giblin, Senator Menendez, Newark Museum Director Mary Sue Sweeney Price, Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, as well as Newark Municipal Councilman Donald Payne Jr.

The night’s entertainment was the Mambo Legends Orchestra, featuring the former All Stars of the Tito Puente Orchestra.  The Mambo Legends Orchestra is led by John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, Mitch Frohman and musically directed by Jose Madera, each having spent over 25 years working with Tito Puente.

Sponsors of the event were Prudential, Citi Community Development, Chase, PSEG, Banco Popular, Bank of America, McCarter & English, Verizon, Wells Fargo, WithumSmith+Brown, City National Bank, Horizon NJ Health, Lowenstein Sandler, North Jersey Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Sovereign Bank, and TD Bank.

“We were thrilled to have such high level participation and world renowned entertainment at the Gala,” said Raymond Ocasio, Executive Director.  “Demand for our services is greater than ever before and we are grateful for the enormous support we have received.  What better way to spend an evening supporting a great cause in good company while enjoying musical talent on the dance floor.”

About La Casa de Don Pedro

Since 1972 La Casa de Don Pedro has been an essential provider of comprehensive social services to the Newark community and beyond.  Each year La Casa connects as many as 50,000 families to integrated supportive services and programs, develops social infrastructure to facilitate community mobilization, and has helped invest millions of dollars in neighborhood revitalization efforts.  La Casa’s programs range from early childhood education to adult education, after school enrichment to re-entry services, and from home energy assistance to affordable housing development.  Its efforts remain tied to a mission of fostering self-sufficiency, empowerment, and neighborhood revitalization.  For more information, visit www.lacasanwk.org.

Since 1972, the group has provided comprehensive programs and services for Newark’s neighborhoods and beyond, developing everything from early childhood education centers to affordable housing for first-time home buyers.

From the beginning, the group’s mission has been to identify needs in the community and provide services to meet those needs.

Tonight’s event will include appearances by Mayor Cory Booker, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, as well as other dignitaries and philanthropic leaders.

The event, called “Newark’s Treasures” is one of five this year celebrating the organization and the community it serves. Honorees tonight will include the New Jersey Historical Society, the Newark Museum, the Newark Library, WBGO radio and Branch Brook Park, among others.

View the article in the New Jersey Star Ledger by clicking here.

Project includes new construction of five detached, townhouse-style, two-family homes, and rehabilitation of a single family home; Homes will be located on scattered sites identified through Lower Broadway’s community planning efforts

Newark, NJ – March 28, 2012 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Newark Municipal Council, Director of Real Estate Michael Meyer, La Casa de Don Pedro Executive Director Raymond Ocasio, City National Bank President Preston Pinkett, and other dignitaries held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the Lower Broadway Stabilization affordable housing development, at 19-23 Victoria Avenue, in Newark’s Central Ward. Representing the Newark Municipal Council were Vice President and North Ward Council Member Anibal Ramos, Jr., Council Member-at-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez and Central Ward Council Member Darrin S. Sharif attended.

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is another example of how we are rising as a city and making our neighborhoods stronger. I thank La Casa de Don Pedro, our Economic and Housing Development team and all of the project’s funders and community partners for their commitment to making sure this project moves forward. This development will provide much needed affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities for eleven Newark families and will be another step to help transform our Lower Broadway Neighborhood. It will transform dilapidated properties and abandoned lots into vibrant, safe, thriving places,” said Mayor Booker.

This project includes new construction of five detached, townhouse-style, two-family homes, and the rehabilitation of one single-family home.  The homes will be located on underutilized scattered sites identified through La Casa’s Lower Broadway community planning efforts.

“In a community hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, we are very pleased to follow through with our commitment to providing high quality affordable housing in Lower Broadway” said Executive Director, Raymond Ocasio. “This also complements the work we are doing to recapture foreclosed homes, rehabilitate them and sell them as affordable homes.”

The five new two-family row houses and the one single family row house will provide homeownership and rental opportunities in the Lower Broadway Community of Newark. These homes are part of the Lower Broadway Community Plan, a comprehensive planning document developed with local stakeholders that serves and guides La Casa’s ongoing work in this community.

“The model we are building here is an improved version of our MLK Homes design which follows urban design guidelines and standards we established several years ago. A second bedroom was added to the rental unit based on feedback we received from the homeowners of MLK. We are so pleased to be able to improve on what has already become a classic home in the community,” said Alle Ries, Director of La Casa’s Community and Economic Development Division. Ms. Ries served as the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies.

“This is an especially great project because – beyond the 11 new affordable, quality homes that will result- it will enhance the quality of life for neighbors and visitors, by eliminating blight and trash strewn lots.  Like other nonprofit community development groups in other parts of the City, we have a great community partner in La Casa de Don Pedro, helping to take back our neighborhoods and improve the quality of the homes,” said Director Meyer.

The development received critical pre-development support from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) of Greater Newark and Jersey City, and construction financing is coming from TD Bank and the Leviticus Fund. Subsidies to make the homes affordable are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the City of Newark’s HOME and NSP program as well as the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The total cost of the project is $2.3 million and expected to be completed by September 2012.

“TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is proud to provide financial support to La Casa de Don Pedro, and to help increase the availability of affordable housing in the Lower Broadway area. TD Bank’s investment in this worthy project aligns with our overall commitment to supporting the growth and stabilization of New Jersey’s neighborhoods. Never has there been such an urgent need for safe, quality, affordable housing. We at TD Bank recognize this need, and as such, we try to do our part to make an impact in our communities, whether through financing, charitable support, or the generous volunteer efforts of our employees,” said Martin Melilli, Regional Vice President, TD Bank.

The homes are being developed by Don Pedro Development Corp, the development arm of La Casa de Don Pedro. The construction is being provided by LC HomeBuilder, a La Casa affiliate created to ensure quality and control costs of La Casa’s developments and to serve the construction needs of other non-profits and private interests.  The houses are designed by David V. Abramson of CTS Architecture.

Council Member Sharif said, “I am more excited for this groundbreaking than for the Teachers Village groundbreaking, not because we don’t need both – we want people to come to downtown Newark and go back with memorable experiences – but this project, with all the great work that La Casa has done, is a stabilizing force and important investment in our community, so I’m thrilled, on behalf of the Council, to be involved with this great project.”

Also in attendance of the event was Theresa McFadden. She has been a Central Ward resident for over 50 years and said, “Of the years that I have been a Newark resident, I’ve been a homeowner on this block for eight years. I am so excited to hear about this development because this will prevent illegal dumping and druggies hanging out at this corner. This is great!”

La Casa is currently accepting and reviewing applications from prospective homeowners who must participate in housing counseling classes in order to purchase the homes.  For more information on these homes, please contact La Casa de Don Pedro at (973) 485-0701, ext. 4621.

TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE GROUNDBREAKING, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Project includes new construction of five detached, townhouse-style, two-family homes, and rehabilitation of a single family home

Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Newark Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Adam Zipkin, Director of Real Estate Michael Meyer, La Casa de Don Pedro Executive Director Raymond Ocasio, City National Bank President Preston Pinkett, and other dignitaries will break ground for the Lower Broadway Stabilization affordable housing development, on Tuesday, March 27, at 11 a.m., at 19-23 Victoria Avenue, in Newark’s Central Ward.

This project includes new construction of five detached, townhouse-style, two-family homes, and the rehabilitation of one single-family home. The homes will be located on scattered sites identified through Lower Broadway’s community planning efforts.

The homes are being developed by Don Pedro Development Corp, the development arm of La Casa de Don Pedro. The construction is being provided by LC HomeBuilder, a La Casa affiliate created to ensure quality and control costs of La Casa’s developments and to serve the construction needs of other non-profits and private interests.  The houses are designed by David V. Abramson of CTS Architecture.

WHO:             Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Newark Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Adam Zipkin, Director of Real Estate Michael Meyer, La Casa de Don Pedro Executive Director Raymond Ocasio, City National Bank President Preston Pinkett, and other dignitaries.

WHAT:          Will break ground for the Lower Broadway Stabilization affordable housing development.

WHEN:          Tuesday, March 27 11 a.m.

WHERE:        19-23 Victoria Avenue, Newark

The workshop is on Tuesday, March 27th at 2pm at 39 Broadway.  Topics include how to manage your money and save, all you need to know about the banking system, how to avoid identity theft, and how to improve your credit.

To Attend Please Call:
Angela Valdez 973–482482-4713 ext. 3305 or
Mandy Vazquez 973–481–4713  ext. 3333

Click here to view the flyer.

The event celebrates the social service and community development corporation’s 40th Anniversary and recognizes the city’s treasured places, institutions, and rising leaders. Honorees include Branch Brook Park, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark City Hall, Newark Museum, Newark Public Library, Newark Symphony Hall, Rutgers-Newark, The NJ Historical Society, WBGO Jazz88 Radio, and Monsignor William J. Linder of New Community Corporation.

Exclusive entertainment is the Mambo Legends Orchestra, featuring the former All Stars of the Tito Puente Orchestra.  The Mambo Legends Orchestra is led by John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, Mitch Frohman, and musically directed by Jose Madera, each having spent over 25 years working with Tito Puente.

Sponsors are Prudential, Citi Community Development, Chase, PSEG, Banco Popular, Bank of America, McCarter & English, Verizon, Wells Fargo, WithumSmith+Brown, City National Bank, Horizon NJ Health, Lowenstein Sandler, North Jersey Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Sovereign Bank, and TD Bank.

“We are thrilled to have such high level participation and world renowned entertainment at the Gala,” said Raymond Ocasio, Executive Director.  ”Demand for our services is greater than ever before and we are grateful for the enormous support we have received.  What better way to spend an evening supporting a great cause in good company while enjoying musical talent on the dance floor.”

“Newark’s Treasures” is one of five events in celebration of La Casa’s 40th Anniversary.  To learn more or to purchase tickets to the gala (each @ $200) visit www.lacasanwk40th.org <http://www.lacasanwk40th.org>  or call 973.482.8312.