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Montclair State University has been awarded a $399,010 grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) in the township of Montclair.

Lawrence Thompson, HUD general deputy assistant secretary for Policy Development and Research, said the COPC grant will allow Montclair State to work with community organizations and residents in the Pine Street and Glenfield Park sections of Montclair. "Together, they will work on an ambitious effort to revitalize the neighborhood's physical and social infrastructure," he said. "Currently, a rail line fractures the neighborhood and the project is intended to ameliorate some of the problems caused by it."

Montclair State President Susan A. Cole said the University and the township of Montclair are connected in several ways. "The vitality of both can be significantly enhanced by the activities that will be supported by the HUD grant," she said. "Many members of the University, community and government worked together to make this new partnership a reality, and I am especially grateful to Sen. Robert Torricelli and Reps. William Pascrell and Donald Payne, who provided strong support for the project."

 

The COPC Executive Committee. Pictured (front row, from left) are Karen Kadus, Freyda Lazarus, Richard Gigliotti, (back row, from left) David Keiser, Jay Mahoney, Gerald Kloby, Ken Brook, Brigid Harrison and Anthony Lazroe.

Along with community organizations and residents, four MSU project coordinator --under the direction of Freyda Lazarus, director of the University's Center for Community Based Learning--will manage partnership activities: Community Organizing, Gerald Kloby, coordinator of the Institute for Community Studies; Housing, Brigid Harrison of Political Science; Education, David Keiser of Curriculum and Teaching; and Digital Divide, Joan Mahoney of Information and Decision Sciences.

The COPC Executive Committee includes Lazarus, Richard Gigliotti, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Kenneth Brook of Anthropology; Tony Lazroe of Education and Human Services; and Karen Kadus, director of Planning and Community Development for the township of Montclair.

Primary community project partners include the Township of Montclair, Home Corporation, The Montclair Board of Education, Montclair Child Development Corporation, the Montclair Neighborhood Development Center, Mt. Carmel Church, Day Nurseries, The United Way/TEAM, and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.

"Colleges and universities help to define the communities that surround them," Torricelli said. "With this grant, Montclair State will have the opportunity to make a tremendous positive impact on the Pine Street and Glenfield Park area, and also serve as a model for other institutions across the state. I look forward to visiting the area to see firsthand the work that this funding will enable."

Pascrell lauded the University's commitment to community. "Montclair State is an institution committed to making its community a better place, and these new dollars will go a long way toward achieving that goal," he said. "Higher learning is not just about books and exams, it is about sharing expertise and rolling up your sleeves to make a difference for others. That's exactly what will happen through the new Community Outreach Partnership Center."

Tenth District Congressman Donald Payne, who serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, pledged his continued support for community outreach efforts in Montclair. "This HUD funding will strengthen the Montclair community and enable us to move forward with an ambitious economic revitalization plan," Payne said. "I look forward to working with Montclair State University and the local community to meet this goal."

Montclair Township Mayor Robert Russo said, "Montclair is fortunate to be a subject of a positive collaboration with Montclair State University through the announcement of the COPC grant award of $339,010."

HUD makes grants under the COPC program to institutions of higher education to help them form centers for applied research and outreach to communities and neighborhoods.

With support from Russo and Councilman Charles Smith, an 18-person campus community advisory committee identified three major needs of the neighborhood: education, community organizing and housing.

In the COPC program, these needs will be addressed by:

- Creating a Neighborhood Geographic Information System and completing an asset-mapping project to identify the strengths of the neighborhood.

- Conducting voter registration drives;

- Developing an after-school tutoring program to serve as a "safe haven";

- Working with local financial institutions, conducting first-time homebuyer seminars;

- Creating a multi-generational Computer Learning Center; and

- Implementing a community heritage project to increase local pride through documenting and expanding awareness of local history.

"The program calls for extensive student and faculty involvement, and demonstrates the strong commitment Montclair State has to its local community," Thompson said.

 

Pictured above, Provost Richard Lynde welcomes attendees to a reception announcing the recent HUD grant for the Community Outreach Partnership Center. At left, Montclair Township Mayor Robert Russo addresses the audience.