Submitted by Elaine Housley Region Direction

The Murray Hill Pioneer Club organized the events and others joined in. With the masks, New Outlook Pioneers partnered with a local realtor – Sandra L. Chambers. We were both wanting to help out first responders and saw a Facebook plea for N95 masks from the community rescue squad. Ms. Chambers is a retired police officer and her son currently serves in the city that we were both born in. That collaboration was a natural. I had done some fund-raising and the money was sitting in the bank so we divided the bill between our organizations and were able to distribute a total of 1,000 masks and gloves to the police department, rescue squad and Shiloh Church Food Pantry.

The second project I coordinated on behalf of the Pioneers was to talk with members of the first responder staff at Medemerge in Bound Brook and the JFK/Muhlenberg Hospital Emergency Center to offer their staff members lunch as a token of appreciation that they did and continue to do on behalf of the family members in the communities that are served. If you read the document file named 20subs.doc you will see at the bottom of the page that all of us who were involved represented different entities — but we are tied together as church “sisters”.

Patricia Fields represent the New Outlook Pioneers as a mentor in The Chrysalis Project. All of the women who serve in this mentor program also represent specific companies or agencies that they are associated with; however we enjoy the partnerships that we share and the work that we accomplish by joining together.

Submitted by Patricia Anne Fields President of Murray Hill Pioneer Club
POB 6225, Plainfield, NJ 07062
908-391-8212

GIVING Back Press Releases
Hearts for Plainfield, Giving Back to the Queen City

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PLAINFIELD, NJ — Sandra L. Chambers (Sandy) and Pat Fields were both born and raised in Plainfield.  They are two decades apart in age; but they both share a true love for Plainfield that is often demonstrated in their volunteer and giving activities.  Last week a business discussion between the two opened a dialogue as to what they could do to help their beloved community during this challenging time.  

After a couple of conference calls, they decided to partner with each other to help fill the need for PPE supplies for the city’s First Responders and Frontline Heroes (as was noted in the April 16th early issue of Tap Into Plainfield)!  Through various contacts, calls, e-mails and text messages, Pat and Sandy were able to find and purchase 1,000 N95 masks and non-powdered vinyl gloves.  

On April 16, they donated 700 N95 masks and 100 gloves to the Plainfield Police Department, and 200 N95 masks and 100 gloves to the Plainfield Rescue Squad.  The rest will be donated to the Shiloh Baptist Church “Lord’s Kitchen” for the staff that serves complimentary dinners to anyone in the community every Wednesday and Thursday, and to an urgent care facility upon their acceptance approval.  Pat and Sandy agree that these gifts are just a small token of their sincere appreciation for the work of the community service providers who risk their lives daily.

Sandy is the owner of The Chambers Elite Group, a premier real estate team that operates under the umbrella of ReMax Select Realty serving NJ residents.  She and her son Sgt. Devin Stanley (a Plainfield Police Officer) have been instrumental in rehabilitating more than 30 beautiful homes in Plainfield; and they consistently give back in the city.  They put up half of the purchase price for the masks.  Pat is an active volunteer with the New Outlook Pioneers Penn Jersey Chapter 132 and President of the Chapter’s Murray Hill Club.  The Pioneers’ mission requires volunteers to effect immediate, tangible change in local communities during seasons of calm and disaster.  New Outlook Pioneers and a personal donation from Pat supplied the balance of the funding for the PPE.

With hearts that value the City, Pat and Sandy are committed to supporting the friends, families, leaders and businesses that are determined to return Plainfield to her esteemed designation as the “Queen City”.

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Provided Lunch for 65 Medical Emergency Staff Members at the Muhlenberg Emergency Facility in Plainfield and Medemerge in Greenbrook. June, 2020

Four Plainfield residents, friends and members of Shiloh Baptist Church Ministry of 1st Impressions teamed up to PARTNER with Mr. Subs Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ to honor some local Frontline Heroes. Pat Fields, Tonya McNeil, Joylette Mills-Ransome, and Leana Walcott provided lunch for 65 medical emergency staff members at the Muhlenberg Emergency Facility in Plainfield and Medemerge in Greenbrook. Three of the friends have personally experienced exceptional service at Medemerge prior to and during this COVID19 pandemic. All of them are very grateful for the extraordinary work provided by the Muhlenberg staff. Joylette stated that “it’s a blessing to know that excellent care assistance is available to the residents of Plainfield and surrounding communities.”

Pat is President of the New Outlook Pioneers – Penn Jersey Chapter 132 Murray Hill Club
Joylette is a Council Woman for the Plainfield City Council
Tonya is the Treasurer of Celebrate Women Celebrate You and The Chrysalis Project
Leana is President of Celebrate Women, Celebrate You and The Chrysalis Project

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Chrysalis Project Inc. Honor Five Graduates and Scholarship Awards

PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact:  Pat Fields
pat@meetingsoftheminds.com
908-391-8212  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Chrysalis Project Inc., (TCP) Board of Directors hosted a socially responsible (everyone wore masks w/the exception of a few photo-ops) garden party honoring their first class of girls to graduate from high school on Monday June 29, 2020 at 7:00PM. The five honorees have been active, committed participants in TCP mentorship program throughout their years in high school. Each one has demonstrated a powerful, yet heart-warming transformation from the shy, reserved girls with some visible insecurities, fears and attitudes that we initially met. They are now a group of young ladies with passions for excellence, personal drive, determination and knowledge that they can achieve their goals, and a full awareness that all of their dreams are within their reach – – knowing that they just have to work smart and go for it.

• Ms. Charlene Hill Ms. Hill will study Political Science at Benedict College, SC
• Ms. Jordyn Jones Ms. Jones studies will major in Education at Kean University, NJ
• Ms. Leilani Leaston Ms. Leaston will study Journalism at Temple University, PA
• Ms. Stevanie Rhim Ms. Rhim will study Mass Communications at Bowie State College, MD
• Ms. Gysselle Terry Ms. Terry will study Business Management at Montclair State College, NJ

At the celebration, each honoree was joined by her parents/guardians at her personal table that had a serving platter containing a light supper for the family. During the short program, each honoree received:
• A beautiful “favorite colored” trunk with nearly 100 college campus required and some non-essential products including but not limited to: sheets, comforters, towels, utensils, sewing kits, laundry baskets, cleaning and laundry products, etc.
• The first installment of their $5,000 scholarship award
• An award certificate
• Personal Gifts from board members
• Individual congratulatory signs

The Chrysalis Project is the brain-child of its Founder and President, Mrs. Leana Walcott of Plainfield, NJ. Leana envisioned a program that would teach junior and high school girls living in underserved communities how to prepare for education experiences beyond high school. Her goal for each student is that they will grow to be positive, professional, giving women who will make viable contributions in the places where they live and work. When asked how she expected to accomplish her goal she said “TCP offers personal development, career building opportunities, exposure to the arts, health and wellness education, and science, technology, engineering & math (STEAM) programs.” That has been the model for the current graduates and it is working extremely well.

The Chrysalis Project a 501(c)3 not-for-profit program that is free to all participants through generous donations, fundraising, grant writing and the exceptional support and commitment of TCP Board Members: Geraldine Agurs, Cathy Brimmer, Sondra Clark, Patricia Fields, Linda Hines, Karen Holloway, Marie Joyner, Tonya McNeil, Patrice Simms, and Lydia Troutman.

Tax deductible contributions are accepted with checks payable to: The Chrysalis Project, Inc. and mailed to: 1215 Martine Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060 or visit our website at https://chrysalisprojectinc.com

Submitted by Patricia Anne Fields President of Murray Hill Pioneer Club

MUSIC IN THE PARK @ MILT CAMBELL FIELD

For 19 years, 50+ concerts have been a part of Music in the Park. The event features local, national and internationally known artists. It has been produced by Pat Fields and hosted by the Pioneers and New Outlook Pioneers during its entire existence. The concerts are free and open to the public. During the past two years the attendees have been given an opportunity to donate new school supplies when they enter the concert. The school supplies are distributed to students who annually receive complimentary backpacks from NOP-Penn Jersey Chapter 132.

Funds to cover concert expenses have been raised by New Outlook Pioneers through grant writing, sponsorship and general donation requests.

The concerts bring a diverse group of artists to the stage, and a variety of music genres are presented. Another very popular part of the concerts has been the Plainfield Idol Competition which highlights the talents of young people in the community between the ages of eight and 18. Winners receive cash awards and trophies and some are offered the opportunity to appear on the stage of the Apollo Theater. Several of our Idol contestants have won at the Apollo. Other concert features include numerous vendors that offer food treats and products to the audience for purchase.

More than 2,500 guests come from all over Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland to take part in the concert. It is a huge success!

Submitted by Patricia Anne Fields President of Murry Hill Pioneer Club

The School Based Youth Services:  Plainfield Teen Parenting Program, Inc.

Patricia Anne Fields has been the Pioneer/New Outlook Pioneer volunteer coordinator and liaison to AT&T since the program’s inception 32 years ago. This post is focused on the annual holiday dinner and gift giving event for student parents, children and staff.

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH SERVICES: PLAINFIELD TEEN PARENTING PROGRAM, INC.

Established in 1989 and operating in the Plainfield (NJ) High School, School Based Youth Services: Plainfield Teen Parenting Program, Inc. (SBYS: PTPP) has achieved extraordinary success as a dropout prevention program. The initiative was developed in response to the growing incidences of teenage pregnancies in Plainfield. With an initial grant of $350,000 each (to 10 similar projects throughout the US) from the AT&T Foundation, the program’s earliest mission was to enable teen parents attending school to successfully carry out parenting, educational/vocational and health care responsibilities by facilitating access to needed support services. Additional program goals included helping young parents to break the cycle of child abuse and repeat pregnancies, as well as provide the guiding resources to self-motivate the parents in the program to continue their post high school education. The program also included a quality operated early care and education program for the infants and toddlers of the young parents in its on-site “Infant & Toddler Center” located in the high school. The positive results of this program have made it the national and international model for similar programs and it has been replicated in 14 cities in NJ. Of the 10 initial projects the Plainfield program remains a stellar support program in the community-mostly because of the Volunteer Component. Since its inception, Pioneers have served as mentors, role models and fund raisers for the program and New Outlook Pioneers continue to have an impact in its success.

Some of SBYS: PTPP’s program activities include weekly well-baby and well-mother care, life skills training, family and academic counseling, parenting classes, parent support groups, peer parenting support and information sharing groups, job skills training, tutoring, “for dads only” program, and extended family support efforts. Notable is the fact that the program’s extensive pregnancy prevention component has now been incorporated in the junior high school grades. And, teen pregnancy in Plainfield (and NJ) has been declining the past few years.

Since its inception, nearly 700 students have been enrolled in the program which accommodates up to 28 parents and their children per school year. A significant achievement for the program is that SBYS: PTPP has achieved a 98% graduation rate among its senior student participants with many going on to a continued education or vocation program and become productive citizens in the communities where they live and work. Also, noteworthy – their children, the infants and toddlers, who received the early care and education in the childcare center, continue to make excellent education strides. They appear to be more focused, socially confident, intent on learning and desirous of receiving a good education. Most of the babies that have grown up in this program are college graduates.

Annually program parents and children are blessed with a holiday dinner and gift giving party sponsored and hosted by New Outlook Pioneers. The event is truly wonderful. The dinner is provided by Shiloh Baptist Church members (who are also NOP volunteers). All of the children received PJ’s, outfits and a stuffed animal. The parents receive grocery store gift cards that are donated by John C. Campbell Realty Company (John is a board member). Staff members also receive a poinsettia as a thank you for the outstanding work that they do for the families in the program.

Established in 1989 and operating in the Plainfield (NJ) High School, School Based Youth Services: Plainfield Teen Parenting Program, Inc. (SBYS: PTPP) has achieved extraordinary success as a dropout prevention program. The initiative was developed in response to the growing incidences of teenage pregnancies in Plainfield. With an initial grant of $350,000 each (to 10 similar projects throughout the US) from the AT&T Foundation, the program’s earliest mission was to enable teen parents attending school to successfully carry out parenting, educational/vocational and health care responsibilities by facilitating access to needed support services. Additional program goals included helping young parents to break the cycle of child abuse and repeat pregnancies, as well as provide the guiding resources to self-motivate the parents in the program to continue their post high school education. The program also included a quality operated early care and education program for the infants and toddlers of the young parents in its on-site “Infant & Toddler Center” located in the high school. The positive results of this program have made it the national and international model for similar programs and it has been replicated in 14 cities in NJ. Of the 10 initial projects the Plainfield program remains a stellar support program in the community-mostly because of the Volunteer Component. Since its inception, Pioneers have served as mentors, role models and fund raisers for the program and New Outlook Pioneers continue to have an impact in its success.

Some of SBYS: PTPP’s program activities include weekly well-baby and well-mother care, life skills training, family and academic counseling, parenting classes, parent support groups, peer parenting support and information sharing groups, job skills training, tutoring, “for dads only” program, and extended family support efforts. Notable is the fact that the program’s extensive pregnancy prevention component has now been incorporated in the junior high school grades. And, teen pregnancy in Plainfield (and NJ) has been declining the past few years.

Since its inception, nearly 700 students have been enrolled in the program which accommodates up to 28 parents and their children per school year. A significant achievement for the program is that SBYS: PTPP has achieved a 98% graduation rate among its senior student participants with many going on to a continued education or vocation program and become productive citizens in the communities where they live and work. Also, noteworthy – their children, the infants and toddlers, who received the early care and education in the childcare center, continue to make excellent education strides. They appear to be more focused, socially confident, intent on learning and desirous of receiving a good education. Most of the babies that have grown up in this program are college graduates.

Annually program parents and children are blessed with a holiday dinner and gift giving party sponsored and hosted by New Outlook Pioneers. The event is truly wonderful. The dinner is provided by Shiloh Baptist Church members (who are also NOP volunteers). All of the children received PJ’s, outfits and a stuffed animal. The parents receive grocery store gift cards that are donated by John C. Campbell Realty Company (John is a board member). Staff members also receive a poinsettia as a thank you for the outstanding work that they do for the families in the program.

Submitted by Patricia Anne Fields President of Murry Hill Pioneer Club