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Clinton Hill Weed and Seed Partnership PSE&G, in conjunction with the Clinton Hill neighborhood, developed the “Clinton Hill Weed & Seed Partnership” (CHWSP). As a public safety initiative designed to create a safer and viable environment for residents, schools and businesses, the project’s mission is to “weed-out” crime and to plant “seeds” by developing programs and services to revitalize the community.
CHWSP’s three standard components -- Neighborhood Restoration, Seed (prevention/intervention/treatment) and Weed (city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies) -- have established specific goals and objectives. This strategic plan resulted in an “Official Site Designation" from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) in May 2002. PSE&G’s role has been diverse. The company has provided financial support to the lead agency, hired grant writers, sponsored meeting and events, as well as provided a staff to mobilize stakeholders and implement the process.
Subsequent to the designation, the CHWSP received a total of $225,000 in government grants. The United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) awarded the partnership with a $175,000 grant and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development contributed an additional $50,000. Community Agencies Corporation of New Jersey serves as the lead agency and performs the fiduciary and administrative duties for the CHWSP.
In the winter of 2002, the CHWSP established its headquarters and hired a project director to oversee the project. Committee chairpersons and officers worked diligently to fulfill their missions. Three organizations, The Leaguers, Inc., Babyland Technology Center and the Clinton Avenue Presbyterian Church, were identified as “safe havens” where training, events and gatherings would take place. In 2003, another grant for $175,000 was awarded and in 2004 CHWSP provided several programs and services to Clinton Hill youth and adults. Visit our “Public Safety” section of the South Ward Urban Initiative Report for more information (provide link).
Through CHWSP’s Restoration Committee, an Enhanced Lighting Initiative has been completed throughout three major corridors: Clinton, Madison and Avon Avenues. The Committee is also seeking funds from various sources to install street calming and beautification amenities. The CHWSP is entering into its third round of program and funding from the USDOJ.
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Clinton Hill is Awarded Approximately $500, 000 The Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C., announced that Clinton Hill located in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey will receive a $97,043.00 Drug Free Communities matching grant for the Clinton Hill Anti Drug Coalition for up to five years. The grant was one of 176 new grants totaling $17.1 million awarded last month to community anti drug coalitions across the country. The goal of the 711 local coalitions is to work together to prevent and reduce drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse among youth. Coalitions are comprised of diverse groups of people, including community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, and the media.
"This is great news for the anti drug efforts of Clinton Hill and Newark, NJ." said Judy D. Bennett, President of the Coalition and local Director for Clinton Hill Weed and Seed Partnership. "The Drug Free Communities Program and other drug prevention efforts are important elements of a balanced national drug control strategy. The Clinton Hill Anti Drug Coalition is doing crucial drug prevention work in our community and this additional influx of Federal money will help them expand their efforts and reach more of Clinton Hill's children."
Gail Davis, Urban Development Manager at PSE&G said, “This award is great news. It will complement our Clinton Hill Weed and Seed Partnership strategy tha is already in place. PSE&G has been steadfast in its dedication to Clinton Hill by providing technical assistance and other resources to help stakeholders enhance the neighborhood. We are proud to have engaged Triad Associates as our grant writer consultant who successfully wrote the proposal application that obtained the Drug-Free Grant. Our other partners: the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Leaguers, the Newark Police Department, and Newark Public Schools have worked very hard and express commitment to this effort. The Drug-Free Communities grant will engage teenagers and children in the process of prevention and intervention of drug and alcohol abuse.”
John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy and President Bush's "Drug Czar," said, "As a nation, we have made significant progress in protecting our young people from the dangers of substance abuse, with a 17 percent reduction in drug use over the last three years. This grant will help the dedicated citizens of Clinton Hill contribute even more to this effort and will help build on the important progress being made to keep our children healthy and drug free."
We are pleased to be working with ONDCP to administer the Drug Free Communities Program," said Charles Curie, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "Some of the most important work to reduce drug use comes from our Nation's grass roots community coalitions. These coalitions, teamed up with our Strategic Prevention Framework Grants to the states, create a powerful force that can continue to drive down the numbers of young people using illicit drugs.”
The Drug-Free Communities Program provides grants of up to $500,000 over five years to community organizations that serve as catalysts for citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. The 176 new grantees were selected from 411 applicants through a competitive peer review process. To qualify for matching grants, all awarded must have at least a six-month history of working together on a substance abuse reduction initiatives, developed a long-term plan to reduce substance abuse, and participate in a national evaluation of Drug-Free Communities Program.
Created under the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, the Drug-Free Communities Program has earned strong bipartisan support from Congress. In December of 2001, Congress passed and the President signed into law a five-year extension of the Drug-Free Communities Act, authorizing $399 million in funds through FY 2007.
In addition to the 176 new grants awarded this year, another $54 million will support continuation grants to 535 existing community coalition projects operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Since 1997, eight completions have awarded $320 million in grants to more than 1000 community anti-drug coalitions ONDCP administers the Drug-Free Communities Program in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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Mildred Helms Park PSE&G has been recognized for its leadership, participation and support to the revitalization of the city-owned Mildred Helms Park. In 1999, the principal of Clinton Avenue School approached PSE&G to help develop the revitalization process within the community.
PSE&G was instrumental in recruiting stakeholders to participate on the steering committee. It included Episcopal Development Corporation, Trust for Public Land (TPL), the Department of Agriculture, the local precinct, district leaders, parents, residents and other stakeholders. Working closely with the school, the Clinton Hill Congregational United took the lead of the project in 2000 with TPL as the facilitator and the City of Newark as the fiscal agent. Several of the Clinton Hill Weed and Seed Partnership members have met steadily over a period of five years, and have recently established a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization known as the Friends of Mildred Helms Park Association.
While the Clinton Hill Weed and Seed program developed, it became evident that the park would play a major role in “open-space recreation” for children, teens and adults. In Spring 2002, PSE&G and other partners were recognized for their roles in obtaining a $1.5 million grant to fund the Park’s restoration. The renovations are scheduled to be completed by July 2005. A major celebration of the park will be held.
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Clinton Hill Neighborhood Planning PSE&G is one of the partners with Episcopal Community Development (ECD) to develop a neighborhood revitalization plan for the Clinton Hill neighborhood. In 2004, ECD received a planning grant from the Wachovia Regional Foundation. PSE&G is a partner of ECD’s Community Development Planning Task Force and has provided GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping for the project. ECD has hired a consulting firm and professional planner to conduct focus groups among area residents and businesses. According to ECD, the revitalization plan is expected to completed by the Fall 2005. (Back to Top)
Central Ward Weed and Seed - La Casa de Don Perdro PSE&G introduced the Weed & Seed program to La Casa de Don Pedro in 2003. La Casa adopted the concept and incorporated it into its already-established neighborhood revitalization planning process for the Lower-Broadway area of Newark’s Central Ward. If awarded by the U. S. Department of Justice, the implemented plan will “weed-out” crime and plant “seeds” of hope and prosperity by developing programs and services to help revitalize the community.
La Casa continues to work with residents and community stakeholders to develop goals and objectives concerning law enforcement strategies, neighborhood restoration activities and social, educational and recreational services. PSE&G assisted in the planning and development process, and has provided financial support. Recently, La Casa submitted a plan to the Department of Community Affairs for the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program. Additionally, an application for Official Designation award status from the U.S. Department of Justice program has also been submitted as the Central Ward-North Weed and Seed. The Central Ward-North Weed and Seed will complement the Lower Broadway community and economic development revitalization efforts.
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PSE&G's South Ward Urban Initiative Report The South Ward Urban Initiative Report chronicles PSE&G’s journey into the field of community development, which began in 1996. The Clinton Hill neighborhood of Newark’s South Ward was our pilot effort. Although there was no road map or set plan, we were confident that we could have a positive impact on this community. The report detailed what can be attained when partnerships are created between distressed communities and mainstream institutions -- in the private and public sectors -- willing to invest resources, time and commitment to neighborhood revitalization.
South Ward Urban Initiative Report
Please contact Gail Davis at 973-430-8699 if you would like to receive original copies.
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