Early in 1999, 25 people met for many hours exploring program areas that could benefit the community. In January of 2000, the Challenge Committee met with consultants that provided information and assistance in developing strategy for identifying specific and detailed needs for the Heights community under the umbrella of what would become known as the “Care Center”
In July of 2000, the Challenge Committee set up Kids on the Corner’s first session, Noah’s Ark, under the direction of Lisa Staszak and Diana Mammone. Children learned visual and performing arts. Activities culminated in a performance on July 9th. Since that first session, under the newly minted Care on the Corner, the Kids on the Corner program has offered 39 sessions. The kids have performed stories that have included: Where the Sidewalk Ends, Miss Nelson is missing, Aesop’s Fables, The Jungle Book, The Ugly Duckling and The Unlucky Cinderella. At the conclusion of each performance, the children are given copies of the book related to their performance. Over the years, following Lisa Staszak and Diana Mammone’s retirement from the program, Kids on the Corner welcomed Beth Bauer, Corinna Sowers-Adler and Cindy Summers as directors of various programs.
In June 2001, English as a Second Language began under the direction of Barbara Smith and Nancy Pirilli. The program was staffed by volunteer members of St. John’s Church and the Hasbrouck Heights community. Four levels of education are offered from basic vocabulary to advanced conversation. In our first session, there were over 25 countries represented with a student enrollment of 86. Since the first session, Care on the Corner has offered 34 sessions of 12 weeks each.
September 2002 saw the introduction of Sophie and Friends, an informal weekly toddler learning and play group under the direction of Liza Arnao. Inspired by her experiences as a new mother looking for friendship and support, Liza developed this program that offered children a chance to meet new friends, learn basic reading skills and art skills as well as having an opportunity for parents to have time to share their journeys in parenting. The program would eventually expand to satellite locations in Maywood and Secaucus.
Under the direction of the first Board of Directors including Chairman, Carol Haefele, Vice-Chair, Cathie Studwell, Exec. Director, The Rev. Joseph Pickard, Ethel Ball, Edwinna Carroll, William Dorn, Assemblywoman Rose Heck, Ann MacVicar, Joe Manginelli, Maria Rehrig, Laura Russell, Barbara Smith and Lisa Staszak, these programs along with United States Citizenship Preparation, and courses in Financial Literacy, Resume Writing, Interview Skills, and Immigration Policies were offered.
On Saturday, October 11, 2003, Care on the Corner celebrated its official recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization at its new offices located at 333 Franklin Avenue. The ribbon cutting ceremony was officiated by Chairman Carol Haefele, Vice Chairman Cathie Studwell, Executive Director, the Rev. Joseph Pickard and NJ Assemblywoman Rose Heck.
Our Mission:
Care on the Corner® is a non-profit 501(c)(3) social services organization whose mission is to provide for the needs of the under-served and under-represented in Northern New Jersey.
Our Purpose:
Our purpose is to develop and provide resources that link people of varying backgrounds to services needed to improve their lives.
Since 2000, Care on the Corner has offered:
- 34 semesters at 12 weeks each of English as a Second Language (ESL) serving over 1,492 individuals from 103 countries.
- 39 productions of Kids on the Corner, a cultural arts program for 2nd to 6th graders, serving 497 children from 18 communities.
- Care on the Corner has successfully completed 3 of sessions of Summer Tutoring and the Homework Club; 6 sessions of NewARTS Kids (an applied arts program for children in grades 1 – 6); 2 sessions of KidZ Fitness; 3 sessions of Middle Eastern Dancing; 5 seasons planting a Community Garden; and 4 sessions of creating Container Gardens. In 2017, we introduced our newest initiative, Tutoring for Children in the Inclusive Environment and have had 6 sessions.
Care on the Corner continues to move into the future with programs that will positively impact children and adults in areas of education, health and fitness and the arts.