NEWARK, NJ — United Community Corporation (UCC), Newark’s designated Community Action Agency since 1964, has been awarded $1,000,000 in federal funding through the office of U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), supporting the launch of UCC’s Youth STEM Innovation and Exploration Program, a transformative initiative designed to expand access to high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for Newark youth.

The Youth STEM Innovation and Exploration Program is scheduled to launch in the upcoming academic year, with planning and school partnerships currently underway. Select programming will begin this summer at the Essex County West Side Park Community Center in Newark, followed by a full rollout through UCC’s after-school programs in the fall to ensure a strong, coordinated start with participating schools.

To recognize this significant investment in youth education for Newark, UCC hosted U.S. Rep. McIver for a check presentation ceremony on Feb. 17 at the Essex County West Side Park Community Center. UCC officials and McIver were joined at the ceremony by Sen. Renee Burgess and Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

“This investment is about more than technology, it’s about opportunity,” said UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor. “This funding allows us to empower Newark’s young people with the tools, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce. By introducing STEM pathways early and making them accessible, we are helping to level the playing field and open doors to futures that once felt out of reach.”

“The $1 million that I fought to bring back to the United Community Corporation will give kids right here at home more opportunities. No matter the zip code they were born in, every scientific innovator was once a curious student who just needed access and support. This project will help support our students to reach their full potential,” said U.S. Rep. McIver. “From working in the Newark public school system, I saw firsthand the impact of having the right resources and I’m

working every day to deliver those resources and make a difference for the next generation. This Youth STEM Innovation and Exploration Program will stir passion in students to imagine, innovate, and expand NJ-10’s future."

The program will provide hands-on, after-school STEM learning experiences that allow students to explore robotics, coding, engineering and innovation-based projects. Delivered in partnership with local schools and community organizations, the initiative will align with classroom instruction while offering meaningful enrichment opportunities that aim to enhance students’ curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

A key component of the program will integrate STEM education into UCC’s YouthBuild and NJBUILD programs. YouthBuild and NJBUILD are workforce development programs that provide young adults with education, industry-recognized construction training, and hands-on experience while supporting pathways to employment, postsecondary education, and long-term economic stability.

Program participants will engage in construction job skills training while receiving exposure to engineering principles and architectural science, strengthening their understanding of how science and technology intersect with careers in construction and the skilled trades.

Additionally, the $1 million grant will support program staffing, curriculum development, STEM equipment and technology, and student learning materials. Funding is also aimed to strengthen school and community partnerships, expand student access initiatives, and support program evaluation to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.

For Newark students, many of whom have historically faced barriers to advanced technology and innovation resources, this program represents a critical step toward educational equity. By introducing real-world problem-solving and career exploration early, the Youth STEM Innovation and Exploration Program will help prepare students for college, career pathways, and leadership roles in a technology-driven economy.

“We are preparing students in this program for their first jobs and equipping them to become the innovators and leaders who will shape the future of our city,” Mainor said. “When we bridge the digital divide, we ensure that the brilliance found in Newark’s neighborhoods has every resource necessary to thrive on a global stage.” For more information about UCC and its services and programs, visit uccnewark.org.