75 Park Avenue Newark, NJ 07104 973-482-8312
fostering self-sufficiency, empowerment
and neighborhood revitalization since 1972

News and Events

“Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” Panel Conversation

In honor of La Casa de Don Pedro’s 40th Anniversary, join us for a stimulating conversation and learn about La Casa’s place in the history of Newark, in the field of community development, and its outlook for the future.  The event will be held at the Newark Museum auditorium at

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In honor of La Casa de Don Pedro’s 40th Anniversary, join us for a stimulating conversation and learn about La Casa’s place in the history of Newark, in the field of community development, and its outlook for the future.  The event will be held at the Newark Museum auditorium at 8:30 AM on Thursday, February 9th, 2012.

Join our panelists:

Elba Andino, MSW, Retired NPS Social Worker, Community Organizer, and La Casa de Don Pedro Founder

Dr. Robert Curvin, Visiting Scholar, the E.J. Bloustein School, Rutgers University

Raymond Ocasio, Executive Director, La Casa de Don Pedro

Alfonso Roman, Retired Minister from the United Church of Christ, Community Organizer, and La Casa de Don Pedro Founder

Grizel Ubarry, Community & Organizational Development Consultant

Moderated by Roland Anglin, Ph.D., Faculty Fellow & Executive Director of the Initiative for Regional and Community Transformation, Rutgers University.
THIS IS A FREE EVENT.

Please RSVP as space is limited to 40years@lacasanwk.org, on our anniversary website: www.lacasanwk40th.org. or calling us at 973.482.8312.

Thank you to our event sponsors: Newark Museum, Presenting Sponsor; Prudential, Legacy Sponsor; Citi, Platinum Sponsor, and Chase, Gold Sponsor.  Also thank you to North Jersey Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, and TD Bank, our other 40th Anniversary sponsors.

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Lower Broadway Neighborhood Association Meeting

The Lower Broadway Quality of Life Plan has been published and the work has just begun. Representatives from the neighborhood block associations, clubs, watches, churches, businesses, and residents are invited to attend the second Lower Broadway Neighborhood Association meeting tonight, Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30 PM. When:   Wednesday, January 11,

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The Lower Broadway Quality of Life Plan has been published and the work has just begun. Representatives from the neighborhood block associations, clubs, watches, churches, businesses, and residents are invited to attend the second Lower Broadway Neighborhood Association meeting tonight, Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30 PM.

When:   Wednesday, January 11, 2012.  At 6:30pm

Where: Wynona Lipman Gardens Community Room, 200 Cathedral Court, Newark, NJ

Note:     Please RSVP to either Jessica Desir or Roberto Frugone at (973) 485-0701 ext. 4641.

To see the flyer, click here.

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For Business Entrepreneurs: Free Orientation!

For those interested in learning how to start or grow a business, consider attending this orientation with the non-profit group Rising Tide Capital.  They know it isn’t easy to start or grow a business, but as experts in topics such as marketing, bookkeeping, and inventory control, their goal is to

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For those interested in learning how to start or grow a business, consider attending this orientation with the non-profit group Rising Tide Capital.  They know it isn’t easy to start or grow a business, but as experts in topics such as marketing, bookkeeping, and inventory control, their goal is to provide people with the skills with what it takes to be successful.  It can’t hurt to hone in on those skills!  The orientation is from 6:30 – 7:30 PM on Tuesday, January 24th at La Casa de Don Pedro, 39 Broadway in Newark.  For more info or to RSVP please call (201) 432-4316 or email Tia@RisingTideCapital.org.

To see the flyer, click here

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Expressions of Generosity this Holiday Season

2011 was the most generous year yet for giving to the annual toy drive.  La Casa’s kids received a wealth of support from so many folks contributing in many ways – – donating toys, volunteering, and getting the word out to friends and family.  Without their support, we would have

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2011 was the most generous year yet for giving to the annual toy drive.  La Casa’s kids received a wealth of support from so many folks contributing in many ways – - donating toys, volunteering, and getting the word out to friends and family.  Without their support, we would have had to turn away some children and families in need.  This year was the best yet! We received 875 toys!

The holidays are a difficult time of the year for families who are struggling to make ends meet in this challenging economy.  La Casa has always made a concerted effort to ease this tension by providing toys for our children in need.  But without our friends, we would not be able to do so.

In addition to the staff who volunteered in the pick-up, sorting and distributing, Just a few of the many contributors this year who have been consistent in their support of La Casa during the holidays and throughout the year include:

The Basile Family

The Hispanic Federation

Prudential

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura

North Jersey Federal Credit Union

NJPAC

Essex County Prosecutors’ Office

Carlos Doris and Friends

Latham & Watkins, P.C.

Lowenstein Sandler, P.C.

Please take a look at some of our photos from the annual Basile Family Holiday Party, held with the Early Childhood kids at 75 Park Avenue. by clicking here.

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Celebrate the Holidays with La Casa’s Cultural Arts Academy Performers!

La Casa’s Cultural Arts Academy cordially invites you to join us in celebrating the Holiday Season with musical and dance performances. Hot Chocolate Hour and light refreshments will be served. Click HERE to see the flyer (en espanol tambien!) When: Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

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La Casa’s Cultural Arts Academy cordially invites you to join us in celebrating the Holiday Season with musical and dance performances.
Hot Chocolate Hour and light refreshments will be served.

Click HERE to see the flyer (en espanol tambien!)
When: Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Rutgers University, Paul Robeson Campus Center, Multipurpose Room, 2nd Floor
350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102
Round trip transportation will be provided to Rutgers University from 23 Broadway, 76 Clinton Ave. and 595 North 6th St. starting at 5pm!
For more information please visit or contact us at:
23 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104, 973-483-2703
This program is made possible with the support of The Rivendell Foundation.

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Lower Broadway Mural Dedication

Join La Casa de Don Pedro, City Without Walls, City of Newark and Neighborhood Leaders as we officially dedicate our newest community mural, located at 79 Broadway (intersection of Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield Place and Broadway). Painted by Joel Bergner with assistance from James Wilson and the students of JFK School

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Join La Casa de Don Pedro, City Without Walls, City of Newark and Neighborhood Leaders as we officially dedicate our newest community mural, located at 79 Broadway (intersection of Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield Place and Broadway).

Painted by Joel Bergner with assistance from James Wilson and the students of JFK School and inspired by residents of the Lower Broadway Neighborhood, this artwork serves as a gateway symbol for the Lower Broadway community.

To view the flyer, click here.

Friday, December 9, 2011
79 Broadway (mural site)
11 AM- Noon
Light Refreshments Served afterward at 23 Broadway community center

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Early Childhood Centers Earn Competetive NAEYC Accreditation

La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Development Centers I, II, III,  have earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. “We are proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be

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La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Development Centers I, II, III,  have earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

“We are proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Martha Villegas, Division Director of La Casa de Don Pedro. “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Program went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria.  The program received NAEYC Accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards.  NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.

In the 25 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education.  Just 8% or 7000 of the country’s early childhood programs are currently accredited by NAEYC.

“The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early childhood programs,” said Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D. executive Director of NAEYC. “Having earned NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that La Casa de Don Pedro’s Early Childhood Program is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education.”

The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for program for young children since 1985.  In September 2006, the Association revised program standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs.  The new standards today reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.

For more information about NAEYC, visit www.naeyc.org/academy.

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Beautifully Renovated North Newark Home for Sale

Don’t just live in Newark, OWN a piece of Greater Newark! La Casa is selling a two-family home located at 89 Garside that is part of its Neighborhood Stabilization Project.  The estimated monthly payment is $1196. The owner’s unit is a two bedroom/one bath with deck and yard, and the

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Don’t just live in Newark, OWN a piece of Greater Newark! La Casa is selling a two-family home located at 89 Garside that is part of its Neighborhood Stabilization Project.  The estimated monthly payment is $1196.

The owner’s unit is a two bedroom/one bath with deck and yard, and the rental is a one-bedroom garden apartment with deck.  The entire home has brand new hardwood floors, energy star appliances,  tiled bathrooms, and central air in the homeowner unit.

UP TO $10,000 IN DOWN PAYMENT FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CITY OF NEWARK!
FREE MORTGAGE COUNSELING AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED!

For more information, please contact Kim El- Sadek at 973-485-0701 or kel-sadek@lacasanwk.org
*Approximate monthly payment numbers are an estimate only and will vary due to finance terms.
*Monthly payment is based on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with a 3.5% down payment from buyer, $9,900 in down payment assistance from City of Newark, sales price of $165,000, and an interest rate of 5%. Payment includes Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. Monthly payment can be offset by anticipated rental income of $750/month.

To see the flyer, click here.

Photos of the rehabilitation and finished product can be found by clicking here.

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Age of AIDS Screening

Each year December 1st is dedicated to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. This year La Casa’s HIV Prevention Program will be presenting the film “The Age of AIDS” at the Newark Public Library from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Please help us to spread

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Each year December 1st is dedicated to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

This year La Casa’s HIV Prevention Program will be presenting the film “The Age of AIDS” at the Newark Public Library from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

Please help us to spread the word, raise awareness, and we will see you on December 1st!

To see the flyer click here.

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Volunteerism in full force this Thanksgiving holiday

Each Thanksgiving season La Casa reaches out to almost 100 families and individuals to ask them to consider taking part in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.  This year, the outpouring of donations was tremendous.  This was a great success in connecting those who have a little extra with those who

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Each Thanksgiving season La Casa reaches out to almost 100 families and individuals to ask them to consider taking part in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.  This year, the outpouring of donations was tremendous.  This was a great success in connecting those who have a little extra with those who don’t quite have enough.

With support from the Anthony Robbins Foundation, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Newark Firemen, Seton Hall Prep students, Councilman Shariff’s office, Lowenstein Sandler, P.C., Colonial Life, ShopRite Kearny, the Basile Family, La Casa Board Members and staff, the team was able to deliver food to 250 families, including 166 turkeys!

From all of us at La Casa, we wish you and your family a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.

To view the photos please click here.

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