Community and philanthropic partners joined elected officials and Ģ����Ƶ on June 4 for a special groundbreaking ceremony for a new home to begin addressing housing inequities in Paterson, New Jersey.

The project is the first initiative in Phase 2 of One Square Mile (OSM), the hyperlocal, place-based initiative supported by the designed to revitalize a designated area of Paterson that began in February 2023. Phase 2 will focus on creating housing solutions for Paterson residents in the first, fourth and fifth wards of the city over the next five years.

Through the partnership, will construct its 300th new home in the city of Paterson, a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom home, which will be located at 45 Auburn Street. Other partners on the project include ADP and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

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Community and philanthropic partners joined elected officials and Ģ����Ƶ on November 21 for the launch of Phase 2 of One Square Mile (OSM), the hyperlocal, place-based initiative designed to revitalize a designated area of Paterson, New Jersey that began in February 2023.

The second phase of One Square Mile is the result of a yearlong effort to understand the needs of the community through the formation of the Paterson One Square Mile Community Advisory Committee of community leaders in Paterson. The pilot phase of the initiative was made possible through support from .

After working to turn Paterson’s Eastside High School into a University-assisted community school, Phase 2 of One Square Mile will focus on creating housing solutions for Paterson residents in the first, fourth and fifth wards of the city over the next five years.

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Created by, with, and , the consortium brings together a diverse group of campus leaders from a broad range of higher education institutions across the country. Members share the perspective that it is the responsibility of higher education to equip students with the critical civic skills to participate effectively in a democracy, engage in civil discourse, and express themselves responsibly.

On April 11th, 2024, Ģ����Ƶ opened the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey. Guests and officials gathered together for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and for special remarks after the ceremony.

To read more about the event and Paterson Native, Chuck Muth’s contribution, click on the link below!

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Click for the CBS News article of the opening!

(From left) Paterson Superintendent of Schools Laurie Newell, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, President Jonathan Koppell, Charles J. Muth, Laura Muth and Developer Baye Adofo-Wilson help cut the ribbon.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Chuck Muth and Laura Muth during the program.

From left, developer Baye Adofo-Wilson, museum benefactors Chuck and Laura Muth and University President Jonathan Koppell at the entrance to the museum.

Museum Director Jessica Bush says the museum offers visitors the chance to discover the stadium’s profound national historical significance.

Paterson Public Schools Superintendent Laurie W. Newell with Paterson Board of Education President Manny Martinez, Ģ����Ƶ’s educational partners.

The volunteer coordinator at the Center for Student Involvement is responsible for planning the week and providing opportunities to those who want to serve. This year, volunteer coordinator Suzette Shaw, prepared a memorable week for all of those involved. For the first day of volunteering, students served at Father English Food pantry where they sorted through donations, packed bags of food, and organized shelves.

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On the second day of service, students volunteered at Camp YDP. There, the students organized the library, cleaning up shelves, discarding old books and arranging new books. On the third day, students served at the HUUB where they stained a porch, painted a water drain, and sanded outdoor furniture and railings. On the fourth and final day, students completed service at Brookdale Park. With the sun shining above them, students cut through invasive trees and shrubs and cleaned up sticks and debris from the area they worked on.

Overall, students served a total of 100 hours and were able to support the efforts of four different organizations. The Office of Community Engagement and the Center for Student Involvement are grateful for the hard work of the students who participated. Both offices are looking forward to an equally successful event next year.

A Juilliard-trained dancer and choreographer, Rodriguez got his start with this same ensemble in his hometown of Paterson, dancing with his older brother in the group’s first performance. He’s come full circle, now running the arts nonprofit that ignited his passion for dance and provides free training and performing opportunities for underserved youths in Paterson.

Rodriguez is one of many who believe – despite its deep struggles – in Paterson’s promise. There is profound pride and a deep reservoir of hope among the city’s community activists, 110 nonprofits and volunteers that outcomes can be better, that streets can be safer, and fewer lives can be lost to addiction and gun violence.”

Read full story and learn more about the “One Square Mile” project HERE!

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Ģ����Ƶ’s ethos of building partnerships as opposed to simply building relationships points towards a new era for anchor institutions and community engaged learning. Ģ����Ƶ’s community development projects are economic, cultural, and unique to Paterson.

Thanks so much to Bryan Murdock for his advice and perspective in telling this story.

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On the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Ģ����Ƶ volunteers observed the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by supporting community partners, including helping to build homes, feed the hungry and organize donations. A campus-wide donation drive contributed school supplies for students at Eastside High School in Paterson.

The efforts of nearly 400 students, faculty and staff on Saturday, September 9 rekindled the spirit of unity that arose in America in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

“Service acts as a uniting force that allows us to remember, yes the sadness of the day, but also the ways we are capable of coming together and helping each other,” says Krystal Woolston, assistant director of the Center for Community Engagement, which sponsors the event to allow students to serve in a meaningful way.�� “I hope that’s the lesson students leave with each year.”

Before heading out to about 30 different nonprofit organizations and community partners, students heard from Bill Spade, a retired New York City firefighter, and Jim Fraser, a naval officer who served at the Pentagon. Despite the 22 years that have elapsed, the Day of Service evokes the spirit of togetherness that followed the attacks, they said.

“I think students learn from the event every year, which is valuable because so many of our young students weren’t alive during that time period,” Woolston said.

As in years past, students volunteered both on and off campus, spreading out across the region. Among the volunteers were students from the Bonner Leaders, NextGen, AmeriCorps, Ģ����Ƶ’s sororities and fraternities, and faculty and staff, many who brought their families to work alongside them.

At the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, Keiva-Nevaeh Edghill, a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Leadership Development through Civic Engagement, said her group helped pack 315 boxes with various food items. “It was an amazing experience,” she said. “I’ve been at the food bank previously, but knowing that I made some type of impact in people’s lives when they receive these packages is why I continue to go back.”

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters and John J. LaRusso

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