Archive for 2021

South Ward Promise Neighborhood Launches New College Program
10.25.2021
South Ward Promise Neighborhood launches Gateway U, a new initiative that will offer accredited and affordable degrees through an innovative hybrid college model. Gateway U’s vision is to increase pathways to higher education by working to improve socioeconomic mobility through an affordable and accessible college experience. Gateway U is committed to providing a high quality […]
Brick by Brick Rebuilding after COVID-19
10.25.2021
Please join the BRICK Education Network to learn about its just recovery efforts that are built on three pillars: community health access, workforce development, and student academic and socialemotional learning recovery. BRICK is focused on building a better future in partnership with the people that it serves. This is a time to be decisive in […]
Keeping Newark families safe through the #StayCoveredTogether relaunch
10.25.2021
Nearly 200,000 masks were donated to Newark families in the South Ward as part of a local campaign headed by BRICK to keep residents protected during the pandemic. The #StayCoveredTogether campaign is a citywide initiative spurred by the COVID19 pandemic which has disproportionately impacted Black and brown communities. Every home in Newark’s South Ward received […]
BRICK Education Network’s Gia Lusk in the Star-Ledger: How BRICK and SWPN are helping students and families through COVID-19 Pandemic
10.25.2021
“COVID19 has had a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of families across our communities. Yet, many of the difficulties families have experienced throughout the pandemic are not new. The COVID19 crisis has only brought these issues to the forefront. I have been fortunate to serve as a family and community engagement specialist with […]
SWPN partners with Newark Trust for Education to donate Chromebooks.
10.25.2021
Approximately 140 students across the South Ward received donated Chromebooks from the Newark Trust for Education in an effort to close the digital divide during the pandemic. Recently, nearly 14,500 Newark Public Schools students transitioned back to the classroom. The move signified a drastic step in mitigating obstacles induced by the pandemic such as learning […]
Achieve students back in-person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
10.25.2021
Nearly 178 students at Achieve who opted for inperson instruction this spring were welcomed back to the building with upbeat music, highfives from the school mascot and the delighted faces of teachers to see their students once again.

South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN) launches a city-wide public awareness campaign to combat chronic absenteeism.
10.25.2021
In March, SWPN kicked off the Today Matters Campaign, a citywide initiative to combat chronic absenteeism among students. The public awareness campaign will utilize traditional, digital, and social platforms to educate, encourage and promote the importance of showing up to class.
BRICK staff has an impact on Election Day 2020!
10.25.2021
All staff at the BRICK Education Network (BRICK) were given Election Day 2020 off and encouraged to use it to make a difference on a local level. Many took advantage of the opportunity, giving Newark voters rides to the polls. Others hit the phones, making hundreds of calls to remind people to cast their ballots, […]
BRICK, Macy’s & UPS partner to distribute thousands of winter coats and masks to South Ward families.
10.25.2021
In February, BRICK partnered with Macy’s and UPS to turn Achieve Community Charter School in Newark into a PopUp Shop. On a cold winter day, BRICK distributed 2,500 coats to Newark residents. Over 800 people attended the event, which is part of the South Ward Gives Initiative to help the community during this challenging time. […]

We’re Back!
10.17.2021
On Aug. 30, nearly 450 excited and eager students flooded the hallways of Achieve Clinton Hill Charter School for the first time in 18 months. Masked up and ready to see and reconnect with their classmates, THIS first day back to school was like no other. It was an exhilarating moment for teachers and staff […]