Our Mission

Guided by service, compassion and fairness, UCC's mission is to assist low-income, disadvantaged and at risk individuals and families, including seniors and youth, to become self-sufficient and self supporting; while enhancing their quality of life and standard of living.

Service Update

2023 Year End Service Numbers

Food and Clothing Assistance (Times Accessed)
Youth, Family and Senior Services
Emergency Services
Utility Assistance
Youth Education & Employment Services
Housing Assistance
Home Improvement Services
Mobile Outreach (Times Accessed)

INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charities/Pages/charities-registration-information.aspx. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.

Show Your Support

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing services for over five decades, your financial support of our services helps to bring about positive change in the lives of the people we serve and in the health of our community. Donations can be earmarked for a specific program or it can be used to offset overhead costs.

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Thank you for your interest in employment with UCC. All positions are currently filled. Please check back with us periodically for opportunities.
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HarvestFest2024 (4)

United Community Corporation (UCC) helped lift the spirits of greater Newark residents at its annual “Harvest Fest” this week, providing more than 300 people with fall holiday fun and vital resources. Residents who attended the event, held Oct. 23 at the West Side Park Community Center in Newark, were able to access an array of activities designed to spread joy while addressing their immediate needs in preparation for the holiday season. Families enjoyed trunk-or-treating, face painting, live music from DJ R.A. Alvarez and could learn about UCC’s lead abatement, utilities assistance, and weatherization services. A free coat distribution was an important offering as well, ensuring children and adults alike have warm clothing for the cold winter months ahead.

Read More Here: Harvest Fest 2024

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United Community Corporation helps empower all members of our community to achieve economic self-sufficiency by providing a range of supportive services. We continue to expand and improve our services, which include; an emergency shelter with case management, a program for seniors, low-income housing, and a range of high-quality after school and summer camp programs for youth.

We are always open to new partnerships and collaborations to aid in fulfilling our mission to help lift low-income residents out of poverty and to improve the quality of their lives in every way we can.

You can also contact us if you are interested in volunteering - we welcome your help in better serving the community !

Celebrate 60 Years of Impact!

Join us for a night of laughter, community, and inspiration at the United Community Corporation's 60th Anniversary Laugh for Charity Comedy in the Park on December 7, 2024, from 6PM to 10PM at the newly renovated West Side Park in Newark, NJ.

This comedy show commemorates six decades of service and dedication to our community. We invite you to enjoy an evening filled with top-notch comedy, delicious food, and heartfelt connections, all while supporting a worthy cause.

Proceeds from this year’s comedy show will kick off the 4th Annual Shop with a Hero event, hosted at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This incredible program partners 250 local children with heroes from our community, including police officers, firefighters, doctors, EMTs, teachers, business leaders, and government officials. Together, they will enjoy a day of shopping and mentorship, creating lasting memories and positive connections. 

Monthly Groceries
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 10am-2pm
Champion House, 409 S 18th Street, Newark, NJ 07103
Friendsgiving
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | 1pm-3pm
West Side Park Community Center, 600 S 17th Street, Newark, NJ 07103
For more information, contact
info@uccnewark.org | 973-642-0181

If you or someone you know are in need of food, baby items, clothing, shelter, energy assistance, pending eviction or mortgage assistance, at risk of lead exposure at home, are a victim of a crime, and/or need youth development activities or young adult vocational training we have a department here to help!

Department Success Stories

In the past two years, more than five guests were able to attain permanent housing, and some were provided housing vouchers/and or rental assistance. During this time, another guest attained employment at UCC and was also able to find permanent housing. Additionally, one guest was able to obtain senior housing and various resources.

Fulton Street Emergency Shelter

One HPRP client came to UCC with a warrant of removal and was dealing with an abusive situation and was suicidal. This client had no income as she received her last unemployment check. Housing Assistance staff were able to provide case management and walk her through many goals after which she became gainfully employed after moving into her new apartment. She was phased out of the program as her income was above the guidelines. The client was referred to another DCA program; however, she decided she was not going to apply for it as she felt accomplished; she felt secure and happy to be in a better head space.

Housing Assistance

Making homes safer for residents has had a positive impact on our clients, including Linda Alemar. Linda was happy and thankful with everything that was done inside and outside her home, especially with Mr. Cifuentes and Joanna who went above and beyond helping her and her tenants applying for the lead program, especially since there were four children living in the residence. The contractor did a fantastic job, and now all three units in her home are free of lead.

Lead Abatement
One client, Althea Haynes,  came to the Energy Assistance department in May with a $27,000 PSE&G bill. The client did not respond for a while but then came back to the department in December with her bill now being $34,000. The client stated that she was not sure why the bill was so high and only purchased the home in 2019. An email was then sent to the Supervisor of Operation at PSE&G to investigate this case.
 
The investigation found an issue at the client's home, and PSE&G lowered the client's bill to $16,000. Vallejo also processed her application, and she received more benefits from the energy program. With the outstanding balance after receiving her benefits, the client was able to make a payment agreement which was quite affordable for her. The client had no words to express her deep gratitude for receiving help from UCC.
 
Utility Assistance
One YouthBuild student, Kitana, enrolled in the program in September 2021 after recently graduating high school. At the time of enrollment, Kitana did not believe that college was the right choice for her. Fast forward, Kitana completed UCC’s YouthBuild program by obtaining both her Chair Side Dental Assistant Certification and her Dental Technician Certification. 
 
Since completing UCC YouthBuild, Kitana has also earned her Dental Radiology Certification and enrolled at Essex County Community College to receive her associate degree in computer science. She began her internship at Lotus Smiles in Jersey City while enrolled at YouthBuild and became employed with the company full-time.
 
YouthBuild

UCC, Hyatt Court Center of Hope Host Ribbon-Cutting for New Community Refrigerator

UCC, Hyatt Court Center of Hope Host Ribbon-Cutting for New Community Refrigerator United Community Corporation (UCC) is continuing its efforts to mitigate food insecurity across Newark with the […]

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Peapack Gladstone Sponsorship

Peapack-Gladstone Bank Sponsorship UCC extends its deepest gratitude to Peapack-Gladstone Bank for its generous $10,000 donation. This funding will go a long way in enhancing UCC’s outreach into […]

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Spring Into Action Series 2024

April 2024 Event Recap Youngsters across greater Newark got an opportunity this week to participate in prevention activities aimed at engaging youth and fostering positive community interactions during […]

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UCC, Integrity House Team Up to Assist Hope Village II Guests

UCC, Integrity House Team Up to Assist Hope Village II Guests UCC recently teamed up with Integrity House, one of New Jersey’s largest nonprofit providers of substance use […]

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United Community Corporation

"Moving people from dependency to self-sufficiency"