English Teachers Meet

On Tuesday, we held the first meeting of our English teachers.  Since most of them teach at different times and/or different days, they rarely cross paths.  This meeting presented a great opportunity for them to share teaching strategies while enjoying each other's company.  After the meeting, the entire staff ate lunch together.  How blessed we are to have such dedicated volunteers who give of themselves wholeheartedly to the women of Passaic. 

Our staff gathers for lunch (left to right):  Sister Charlotte Koch, FSP (English teacher), Sister Elaine Maguire, FSP (Associate Director), Sister Patricia Reynolds, SC (quilting teacher), and English teachers Sister Ursula Carr, SC, Sister Mary Culhane, SC, Sister Eleanor Goekler, SMIC and Mrs. Marie Mead.

Have you told a friend?

Do you remember the post from April 2 in which we asked you to bring a friend to the blog?  Since then, we have increased readership by 18%, which is a wonderful start toward our goal of doubling our subscribers.  So, we are asking you to consider spreading the word about the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women by asking a friend to subscribe to the blog.  Click here to go to the post that gives instructions.  Thanks for considering this!

Visit with the SCC Associates

On Sunday, April 27, Sister Ann Marie Paul, Director of the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women, was in Mendham, NJ to introduce the Center to the Companions of Pauline, Associates of the Sisters of Christian Charity during their annual Covenant Day. In her presentation, Sister Ann Marie invited the SCC Associates to focus on how this ministry in Passaic in the 21st century mirrors the early work of the founder of the community, Pauline von Mallinckrodt, in Germany in the 19th century.  In its service to the poor, collaboration and ecumenism and openness to new ways of ministering, the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women mirrors the early (and continued) work of many of the founders of religious communities.  Please contact Sister Ann Marie (sam@patersondiocese.org or (973) 470-0844) if you would like to arrange a presentation for one of your groups. 

Sister Ann Marie addresses the Companions of Pauline, Associates of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, NJ.

The Companions of Pauline gather for a group photo at the end of the day.

Volunteer Profile: Tiffany

As our Montclair State University students complete their service with us, we profile freshman Tiffany Sisak, a Psychology major from Bradley Beach, NJ. Tiffany hopes to work as a high school guidance counselor and, perhaps, be in private practice one day.  Tiffany shares that she chose to volunteer at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women because she wanted to be a part of a place that empowers women.

Tiffany says that her experience at the Center has been very educational:  "The women who run this Center have motivated me to become more of a leader in everything I take on.  Their leadership qualities have inspired me to become a more influential leader myself.  If I hadn't had the opportunity to volunteer at the Center, I would not have had the privilege to meet the women from the Passaic area and build relationships with them.  I am so thankful to have volunteered here."

Tiffany celebrates with Sr. Pat and Luz.

SC Volunteers in New Dimensions

Thank you to the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, for featuring the Center and our SC volunteers in the latest issue of their publication, New Dimensions.    Click here to access the article on the Sisters of Charity website.

The Center in the Beacon

We are grateful to reporter Cecile San Agustin, editor Rich Sokerka and everyone at the Beacon (Newspaper of the Diocese of Paterson) for the beautiful article about the Center in today's edition. It contains an overview of the Center's first six months and a profile of one of our volunteers, Marie Mead.    Click here to access the E-edition of the Beacon.  The article about the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women is on page 3.

Volunteer Profile: Tasia

Today we would like you to meet Tasia, another of our volunteers from Montclair State University.  Tasia is a junior Psychology major from Teaneck, NJ , who would like to work in the field of education or counseling and help the community-at-large in any way possible.

Tasia chose the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women from among the choices offered in her Psychology of Leadership class because she felt that the Center would best fit to encompass the things in which she likes to be involved.

Tasia notes that the experience has been a great one so far:  "The employees are very warm hearted and welcoming, so I felt right at home. Also, I love working with the teachers and the women that come to the Center on a regular basis because I get to see progress that leads to success."

We are grateful to Tasia for the gentle, peaceful spirit that she brings to the women we serve.

Tasia (right) and her computer student take a break.

Tasia with volunteer, Sr. Ursula Carr, SC (left) and Associate Director, Sr. Elaine Maguire, FSP
 

Volunteer Profile: Chloe

Today, we would like to introduce you to Chloe, our volunteer who is finishing her sophomore year at Montclair State University.  Chloe, a Psychology major who is also interested in Business, comes from Waldwick, NJ and hopes to work with young adults in the future as a social worker, therapist or as a human resources professional. 

 

According to Chloe, as soon as she stepped in the door at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women, she knew that is was a very peaceful, loving environment where the women feel safe and welcome and where they are ready to learn.  She chose to work here to apply the leadership skills learned in her Psychology of Leadership class and to work with women. 

 

When asked to share about her experiences volunteering at the Center thus far, Chloe said, "It has been nothing less than extraordinary.  I have made many friends at the Center, learned a lot about teaching and especially learned a lot about myself as a leader and how I can help others.  I greatly enjoy teaching women the skills that I have learned on the computer and it is so gratifying to see them succeed and achieve their goals."

 

The Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women is grateful to Chloe for the energy and professionalism she brings to us.

Chloe (center) takes a break to smile for the camera with her computer students.

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer Profile: Keimony

Since this is National Volunteer Week, we are beginning our volunteer profiles.  Introducing Keimony Brown, junior at Montclair State University and volunteer at the Neighborhood Center for Women.  We are grateful to Keimony and all our volunteers!

Keimony provides computer tutoring each Wednesday. 

 My name is Keimony Brown and I currently reside in Paterson, NJ. I’m a student at Montclair State University and this will be my junior year. From a very young age I've always had a passion for helping others, teaching, and giving back to the community. My current major is Psychology.  My career aspirations are to become an industrial organizational psychologist. While pursing and obtaining this role I would like to teach within and urban community to enhance the knowledge of psychology to those willing to learn. I was offered to volunteer at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women as a part of a service learning requirement for one of my classes. I chose the Center because of my prior knowledge of growing up within an urban area, moreover for my passion of wanting to give back to the urban community by means of teaching and motivating. Since the first time I interviewed to be a volunteer I felt welcomed into a warm, friendly environment whose sole purpose is to assist in the needs of women within urban areas. Throughout my time of service at the Center, their mission statement and commitment to the women within the Center grew on me and sparked a fuel within.  This has enabled me to do all that I can to assist with the computer needs of the women. Overall I really enjoy volunteering at the center and being apart of their vision for women within urban communities. 

First Meeting of the Gardeners

Tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, carrots, . . . These are the April visions of our new group of gardeners.  Our new gardening coordinator, Sister Mary Irene Sorber, SCC and her helpers, Luz Flores, Ann Ryan and Sister Anne Moroney, met with six prospective gardeners today.  They decided what and where to plant on May 5 when they gather again.  We are grateful to Sister Mary Irene for leading this project.  Here are some photos of the day:

The gardeners meet to discuss their plans.

The group watches "The Art of Urban Farming" on the City Green website.

It is difficult to imagine that this land will be filled with vegetables in a few months!

The gardeners pose for a photo at the site of their future garden.

Our youngest gardener wonders if we have gloves small enough to fit his hands.

Bring a friend

At this moment, this blog has 50 email subscribers.  We are now hoping to double that number -- with your help!  Today we are requesting that you please ask at least one person to consider subscribing to the blog.  It's very simple to do.  Forward this email to at least one other person and ask them to follow these directions: 
1.  Go to http://womenscenterpassaic.blogspot.com;
2.  Enter your email address in the "Follow by Email" box on the right hand side;
3.  Most importantly, you will receive an email from "Feedburner Email Subscriptions" asking you to verify your subscription.  You must click the link in the email to activate your subscription and receive updates from the blog in your inbox.

Thank you, current subscribers, for helping us to spread the word about Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women.  We will update you about the progress of our subscription campaign.