FOCUS Hosts Back to School Celebration in Lower Broadway

BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION – Pictured are Hasani Council, Chief of Staff for South Ward Councilman Patrick O. Council, Cecilia Martinez, Communications Specialist at Victoria Foundation; Maritza Arauz, Executive Director at FOCUS; and Councilman at-Large Luis A. Quintana.

As part of its centennial celebration, Victoria Foundation distributed $5,000 grants to several community-based organizations in Newark to support the event of its choice. FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development Inc., received a grant and used the funds for its annual Back to School Celebration at its location in Lower Broadway on August 29.

More than 400 children and youth received back packs filled with school supplies, food, and prizes. The families also enjoyed ice cream, Latin food, a live DJ and performance, games, and face painting. Additionally, parents received educational information and resources on community services and had the opportunity to complete applications for Medicaid, SNAP, and voter registration.

"A heartfelt thanks to Victoria Foundation for the special grant commemorating its 100th anniversary and helping us ensure that our 2024 Annual Back to School Celebration was a success," said Maritza Arauz, Executive Director at FOCUS. "This event has become a much-anticipated tradition to distribute school bags and supplies to the community's children. It is only with the help of partners like Victoria Foundation that we have been able to host such a valuable activity for our community."

FOCUS's firm commitment to providing essential services and fostering community engagement has significantly impacted the lives of countless children and families in Lower Broadway and beyond. The organization has been "helping people help themselves" – everyone from adolescents to the elderly – for 57 years and provides the community with family support, youth development, emergency assistance, adult protective services, adult education and vocational training, senior daycare, and nutrition. In 2023, the organization served more than 6,700 individuals, mostly from the Latinx community with many receiving multiple services.

"FOCUS is an exemplary partner and has, for more than five decades, provided the community with opportunities and services that lead toward self-sufficiency, growth, empowerment, and a better quality of life," said Victoria Foundation Executive Officer Craig Drinkard. "We congratulate them for this successful event and look forward to our continued partnership and making a difference in the lives of those in our community."

Additional collaborators in FOCUS's Back to School event included OPTAX, Law Office of Ingrid Echevarria, Community Food Bank of NJ, AETNA, GOYA, Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce of NJ, Clara Maass Medical Center-Center of Excellence for Latino Health, United Healthcare, Unidos Por Un Juguete Una Sonrisa Jersey, BCB Bank, Jersey Cares, Councilman at-Large Luis A. Quintana, and Councilman at-Large Carlos Gonzalez.

For more information about FOCUS, visit www.focus411.org.