Finance and Impact

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

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 the greater Newark community, enabling the agency to support critical  initiatives and upcoming events. With this contribution, UCC can further […]

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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 our CBVI program’s “Spring Into Action to Conquer Violence” spring break series. The events, which were hosted at the West […]

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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 disorder treatment, to help better serve guests at the newly established Hope Village II site in Newark. Officially opened earlier […]

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YouthBuild Students Forge Ahead Into Obtaining Career Pathways Upon HSD Graduation 

Four UCC YouthBuild Students Forge Ahead Into Obtaining Career Pathways Upon HSD Graduation The journey towards obtaining a fulfilling career pathway shines a little brighter for four UCC YouthBuild students after they successfully attained their High School Diploma (HSD) certificates.  This remarkable achievement for YouthBuild students, Brandon Lee, Isaiah […]

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South 17th Street School Peace Walk

UCC Staff Members Participate in South 17th Street School ‘Peace Walk,’ Help Raise Anti-Violence Awareness in Newark Impassioned calls for anti-violence echoed throughout Newark’s West Ward neighborhood on Jan. 30 as students from South 17th Street Elementary School marched through the streets as part of a “Peace Walk” […]

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United Community Corporation

"Moving people from dependency to self-sufficiency"