“BRICK Education Network and South Ward Promise Neighborhood are so excited to come together to host the fourth annual South Ward Gives Thanksgiving dinner for the families we serve,” said Dominique Lee, Founder and CEO of BRICK Education Network. “All of our families deserve to celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy a wonderful meal, and we look forward to providing a positive experience for families each year.”

Celebrity Chef Ameer Natson participated in the event at Newark NAN Tech. As residents continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, they were given the option to enjoy their meal at Newark NAN Tech or take their meal to go. In addition, 250 meals were delivered to senior centers in the South Ward.

“South Ward Promise Neighborhood always looks forward to the South Ward Gives Thanksgiving dinner,” said Nichelle Holder, Chief Program Officer, South Ward Promise Neighborhood. “As we rebuild and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to be sure to provide multiple options for our families so they can enjoy their Thanksgiving meal with neighbors or from the comfort of their own home. We love bringing the community together so everyone can celebrate the holiday season.”

The event was sponsored by several community partners including: BRICK Education Network; South Ward Promise Neighborhood; Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center, Inc.; Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Fresh Chef Quality Food Purveyors; Wegmans; La Casa De Don Pedro; Teach for America; Kings; and NAN Newark Tech World.

###

BRICK (Building Resilient, Intelligent Creative Kids) Education Network is a charter management organization based in Newark, New Jersey. BRICK is powered by visionary, diverse leaders committed to fighting the status quo. BRICK’s mission is to relentlessly knock down all barriers to students’ academic success so they can have an unimpeded path to unlocking his or her limitless potential and ending the cycle of lost dreams. To learn more about BEN, visit http://brickeducation.org/.

About South Ward Promise Neighborhood

The South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN) is a community-based initiative of the BRICK Education Network. SWPN partners with a network of 26 organizations to lift up Newark’s South Ward families and children by ensuring children who live in the South Ward are provided support at every stage of development – from birth to college and a career. This system of family and community support services – which includes access to high-quality early childhood centers, schools, healthcare and housing – is designed to break down barriers and build up kids. To learn more about SWPN, visit: https://southwardpromise.org/.