That's a wrap on Fall 2025!

UCC stayed committed to supporting its community through October and November, successfully distributing hundreds of Halloween costumes, holiday meals, groceries, and vital resources to ensure all our neighbors were celebrated and supported throughout the fall season.

NJ Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill Visits UCC, Spotlighting Work of Community Action Agencies

NJ Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill Highlights Need for Community Action

UCC had the great pleasure of welcoming New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor-elect Dale Caldwell to the Essex County West Side Park Community Center in November, where they joined the agency in distributing fresh produce and groceries to residents. Their visit highlighted the vital work Community Action Agencies like UCC are doing to move people across Greater Newark from dependency to self-sufficiency.

UCC expresses its gratitude to its dedicated board members, staff, volunteers, and NJ BUILD program participants for organizing and setting up the food distribution. Their commitment continues to make a powerful difference in our community every day.

“We are honored to welcome Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and her administration to United Community Corporation. In these challenging times, especially with the federal SNAP program shutdown, our agency remains dedicated to providing essential support and resources to our community. UCC is committed to uplifting Newark and Essex County’s most vulnerable residents, and we look forward to sharing our efforts and vision with Governor-elect Sherrill and her administration. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community.” - United Community Corporation Executive Director Craig Mainor

UCC BECOMES RECIPIENT OF

$500K NJEDA FEED NJ GRANT

UCC Receives NJEDA FEED NJ Grant to Strengthen Food Security in Newark

UCC is proud to announce that it is a NJEDA FEED NJ grant award recipient to strengthen and expand the agency’s Community Refrigerator Program, which provides 24/7 access to nutritious food through public refrigerators located at key community sites.

The NJEDA Board approved over $20M in grants to 50 organizations, including UCC, to strengthen food security in NJ’s top food desert communities. In Newark, sections of each of the city's five wards were designated by the NJEDA as some of the highest food insecure areas in the state.

To meet this demand, UCC's Food Assistance dedicated staff and volunteers operate the agency's Champion House Food Pantry and Community Refrigerator program, distributing more than 240,000 lbs. of food last year to our most food insecure neighbors.

UCC is honored to be awarded this grant and expand its food distribution services to mitigate hunger in Newark and Essex County.

Program Highlights

UCC NJ BUILD Program Provides Young Participants Opportunity to Dream Bigger

UCC’s NJ BUILD program continues to transform lives by offering participants not only job training, but stability, confidence, and a pathway to long-term success. Two recent participants exemplify the profound impact of this work.

Earlier this year, one participant came to the program justice-involved, navigating a pending court case and challenges at home. Despite these obstacles, he committed himself fully to NJ BUILD’s training and support. During his time in the program, he earned his GED and an impressive list of industry-recognized certifications, including CloroxPro, Lead Abatement, OSHA 30, NCCER, First Aid/CPR, Powered Industrial Lift Truck, and Solar Certification.

Each certification was made possible through UCC’s direct training, proctoring, and partner-supported workforce development resources. Beyond the classroom, the program's holistic approach provided him with structure and advocacy. This support allowed him to demonstrate his progress to the court. As a result, his case was dismissed, clearing the path for a new beginning. Today, he is proudly employed as a maintenance worker at a local hospital.

Another participant is on track to complete the program in November, embodying resilience of a different kind. Despite experiencing homelessness throughout his entire enrollment, he has maintained the highest attendance of all participants. His determination led him to earn his GED and multiple construction certifications including the recent Lead Abatement credential while also pursuing his higher education. With support from UCC’s NJ BUILD program, he has been accepted to William Paterson University, where he plans to continue studying construction and build the future he once questioned was possible.

These two journeys reflect the heart of NJ BUILD, empowering individuals to dream bigger, overcome barriers, and step into careers that change their lives.

Youth Education & Employment Services Moves to New Location

UCC's Youth Education and Employment Services (YEES) Department is excited to announce its move to a new building, strengthening its youth and young adult programming. After many impactful years in the Club House on Spruce Street, YEES is transitioning into an expanded space on Wright Street in Newark designed to better support the growing needs of young people and young adults in the community.

This building will serve as a dedicated hub for UCC’s flagship youth initiatives, including its YouthBuild, Restorative Transformative Justice, and NJ BUILD programs. The new space provides a supportive environment that fosters learning, leadership, career development, and creates create a welcoming space for mentorship, academic support, and workforce readiness.

Event Highlights

Harvest Fest

UCC celebrated the spirit of giving back this fall at its annual Harvest Fest, bringing free resources and seasonal support to more than 250 Greater Newark residents.

The event, hosted Oct. 22 at the West Side Park Community Center in Newark, featured a distribution of free groceries, fall holiday costumes for children donated by Jersey Cares, winter hats, clothing, and accessories, ensuring families are well-prepared for the colder months ahead. Additionally, UCC’s Food Assistance staff prepared coffee, hot chocolate, bagels, and warm treats on-site for attendees.

Families also received information about UCC’s services and programs, including rental assistance, weatherization, youth, family and senior services, youth education and workforce development.

Adding an engaging educational element to the celebration, young people enrolled in UCC’s NJ BUILD program led live construction demonstrations to attendees, highlighting the skills and lessons they have gained through their training.

Friendsgiving

UCC served free holiday meals to more than 270 people at its annual “Friendsgiving” distribution, providing critical food support for residents seeking stability and nourishment.

UCC’s staff, volunteers and community partners distributed 120 turkeys, 126 chickens, and 18 hams, all donated by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, to attendees on Nov. 13 at the West Side Park Community Center in Newark.

In addition to proteins, UCC distributed fresh produce, groceries and special “holiday boxes” filled with shelf-stable items to ensure every individual had what they needed to prepare a complete and comforting holiday meal with sustenance.

The Annual Shop With a Hero holiday event is a spin on the national “Shop with a Cop” campaign. For this event, 250 Children receive $100 gift cards to go shopping within the City of Newark, joined by local heroes including fire fighters, police officers, educators, community leaders and more! UCC hopes the annual event continues to create an environment for a child and a hero to build a lasting bond and opportunities for positive mentorship.

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WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT

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Employee Spotlight

Get to Know UCC Grants Compliance Clerk Italo Bassini

For most of Italo's professional career, he worked in leadership and advisory roles across manufacturing, real estate, and high-tech industries. This included managing finances, compliance, operations, and systems that keep organizations moving forward. Those experiences taught him how to build structure, solve complex problems, and balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day detail to have the tools to ensure UCC’s grants are managed with accuracy, transparency, and responsibility.

Before joining UCC, Italo served as a Division General Manager for a metal distribution company, where he helped grow sales and streamline operations. Prior to that, he spent many years as a Finance & Administrative Manager in high-tech manufacturing, leading budgeting, ERP implementation, and administrative oversight. Each role strengthened his understanding of how strong systems support strong outcomes.

Italo joined UCC in June 2024, noting he wanted to make a direct difference in people’s lives. Compliance may not always be seen on the front lines, but it is the backbone of programs that provide housing, food, essential services, and more to help serve the mission of UCC. What Italo loves most, he said, is knowing that every report, audit, and deadline helps keep those services running.

"My goal is to continue strengthening UCC’s compliance processes so we can grow confidently, serve effectively, and remain a trusted partner to our community and funders."

Partnership Spotlight

PNC Bank Joins UCC's 5th Annual Shop With a Hero as a Grand Claus Sponsor — Help Us Make This Holiday Unforgettable!

We’re thrilled to announce that PNC Bank has joined United Community Corporation (UCC) as the Grand Clause Sponsor, generously donating $10,000 to support our annual Shop with a Hero event!

On December 6, 2025 children ages 5–14 from across our community will pair up with their local heroes — police officers, firefighters, first responders, and community leaders — for a magical day of holiday shopping. Each child will receive a $100 gift card to pick out gifts, clothes, and essentials alongside the heroes who protect and inspire them.

But here’s the reality — we still need your help.

The demand this year is higher than ever. Every day, we’re hearing from families struggling to provide even the basics this holiday season. Our goal is to ensure every child leaves with joy and dignity, but to make that happen, we need to raise additional funds immediately.

You can be the hero in a child’s story.

Your donation today will help us give more kids the chance to experience the warmth and wonder of the holidays.

Donate now: www.uccnewark.org

Thank you again to PNC Bank and to everyone who stands with UCC in building a stronger, more compassionate community. Together, we can make this holiday season brighter for Newark children.

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As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing services for over five decades, your financial support of our services helps to bring about positive change in the lives of the people we serve and in the health of our community. Donations can be earmarked for a specific program, or it can be used to offset overhead costs.

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If you or someone you know needs groceries, baby items, shelter, utility or rental assistance, lead exposure remediation, home weatherization, support for crime victims, youth activities, or young adult developmental and vocational training, we’re here to help!

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