The STEP Youth Organization is in jeopardy of losing its youth center. A Youth & Community Center that the organization has worked so hard to obtain and develop to help support the many youth and families in Newark New Jersey's surrounding communities.
The building, as well as the area, was an eyesore in the community when STEP purchased it from the city in 2018. But with the help of parents of youth in the program, the organization's volunteer members, and the community at large, they have been able to raise enough funds to develop the exterior of this old structure into a small but promising Community Center.
Due to recent setbacks, such as the effects of the pandemic and record-breaking inflation that helped raise costs of construction the highest seen in 50 years, the organization's ability to raise the final, necessary funds that would assist in the completion of the building's interior was stifled.
We have now been notified that if the necessary funds are not raised and the renovation completed within a short period the facility will go into default and the facility taken.
Renovations:completed to date:
- * Leaky roof
- * New Cement Walls
- * New gutters & drain pipes
- * New windows cut & installed
- * New doors cut & installed
- * New security gates for windows/doors
- * 100 ft. of new sidewalk w curbs
- * Trees planted along sidewalk
The total needed to complete this project with its Interior Renovation
is: $190,550
Items needed are:
- * Flooring
- * Framing/Insulation
- * Plumbing
- * Sprinkler System
- * Electrical
- * HVAC (2-Zone)
- * Security System
- * And building furnishings
We are reaching out far and wide to those who can appreciate and understand the importance of safe and productive spaces for our youth being available in all communities. A space such as the S.T.E.P. Youth Center where youth and families can learn about things such as::
- · Financial literacy courses
- · Health & Nutrition classes
- · Healthy food preparation classes
- · Violence prevention projects
- · Meditation
- · Cultural activities
- · Entrepreneurship training
- · Decision making
- · Personal planning
- · Fitness
- · Community service projects
- · Environmental awareness projects
- · Gardening and so much more
We know the STEP Center can have a great impact on our city with the needed help to complete this project. There is much work to be done in our community and our youth need us now more than ever. With your much-needed contributions, we can indeed make it happen.
We would like to ask that everyone please share our page with your family members, friends and networks to help us get the word out to those who would be willing to help.
We are truly grateful and appreciative of all donations to this very worthwhile cause
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support of this community project and our work to help create a promising future through our youth.
To learn more about the STEP organization and programs, visit our website at:
Striving Together Equals Progress Inc. (S.T.E.P.)
Phone: (973) [phone redacted]