The strength of Pioneering is the volunteer. Pioneers projects are as diverse as the communities we serve. We take a grassroots approach towards volunteerism, responding to the unique needs of our hometowns. The Pioneers Don MacKenzie Charitable Foundation Fund (Foundation) provides grants for educational and/or charitable community service projects that make a significant impact in local communities and generate substantial recognition for the Pioneers.
Students in NJ and PA Public schools are responsible for providing their own school supplies (including, but not limited to backpackspens, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, paper, calculators, computers, etc.)
New Outlook Pioneers has endeavored to close the economic gap in some of these areas. Many years ago, we sent letters to Elementary school principals in school districts where we identified struggling families. We asked these school administrators if their students would benefit from receiving back packs and school supplies. The response from every principal contacted was a resounding “YES”!
Since that time, we set a purchase goal to buy thousands of back packs, and accompanying school supplies for students in the communities we serve.
New Outlook Penn- Jersey Chapter 132 continued its annual initiative to support school children in the area we serve. For that endeavor, we donated an assortment of school supplies; 1,728 backpacks and 1,794 pencil holders to more than 15 school districts and community organizations. We purchased the backpacks and pencil holders using funds from Pioneers’ Charitable Foundation Grants that enabled us to sustain our previous years donation.
Chapter 132 allocated individual budgets to each club to pay for school supplies. We redirected our gifts of backpacks and accompanying pencil holders to organizations that were able and willing to accept these gifts during the pandemic, while designated organizations were closed due to Pandemic restrictions.
Shiloh Baptist Church provided Covid safe space that enabled each chapter to receive supplies at a scheduled time and allowed us to distribute the supplies from their gym. Every participant was required to follow the Covid standard to wear masks and observe distance specifications
Action Taken
Provided scheduled pick-up windows for backups and supplies at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield NJ. Shiloh established strict protocols to ensure safety and protection for recipients.
Each Club member purchased and provided school supplies to their specific organization or school.
Distributed New Outlook Pioneers Penn-Jersey Chapter 132 donations to:
Civic League of Greater New Brunswick – New Brunswick, NJ
Community Coordinated Child Care – Rahway, NJ
Constable Elementary School – Kendall Park, NJ
Evidence of the Gospel Church, Inc. – Hillsborough, NJ
Feeding Hands Food Pantry – Bridgewater, NJ
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Somerville, NJ
Huntington Park Christian Academy – Philadelphia, PA
Neighborhood House, Plainfield, NJ
Norristown Area School District – Norristown, PA
Plainfield School System – Plainfield, NJ
Rahway Public Schools – Rahway, NJ
Saint Mark’s Church and Saint Mark’s Center for Community Renewal –
Keansburg, NJ
Salvation Army – Reading, PA
Somerset FoodBank – Bridgewater, NJ
St. Joseph’s Social Center – Elizabeth, NJ
Shiloh Baptist Church Food Pantry – Plainfield, NJ
South Brunswick School District – South Brunswick, NJ
Union County T.E.A.M.S. Charter School – Plainfield, NJ
Packing The Backpacks
Submitted by Pioneer Pat Fields – President Murray Hills Club
Happy New Year. this video is part of a Holiday event we’ve done every year for the past 30 years. it is very scaled down because of Covid — our team is usually there — playing games, serving food, giving gifts.
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.
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
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 POB 6225, Plainfield, NJ 07062 908-391-8212
Cindy Price and Volunteerism: Feeding Hands Pantry
Feeding Hands Pantry, a local food bank that Pioneer Chapter 132 supports through gifting and volunteerism, was featured in the February edition of The BReeze, a local New Jersey newspaper. In this edition, the publication indicated its intent to feature an inspiring nonprofit that serves the Somerset County communities of Bridgewater and Raritan NJ. This article, entitled Feeding Hands Food Pantry Seeing Increase in Need During COVID, charts the pantry’s early beginnings and its evolution as it responded to the Pandemic and, specifically, illustrates how it ramped up its services to stay in lockstep with the emerging demands of the community. Guided by its Mission to “…live out God’s commandment to care for the poor by loving and serving our neighbors in need” and its Core Values of Empathy, Connection and Stewardship, Feeding Hands Executive Director Bennett has indeed formed a team that understands and performs within the moral framework of its principles.
During her interview, Bennett narrated the evolution of Feeding Hands from its onset, in 2014, at Emmanuel Church in Somerville NJ, to its current post pandemic location in Raritan NJ. Says Bennett, “The organization has seen a significant increase in need, now serving 450 -500 families per month, compared to 220 to 260 per month prior to the pandemic.” The Pantry operated inside the church until COVID safety requirements precluded remaining indoors. Then, to meet Pandemic challenges, the team relocated to the Church’s curbside where it constructed temporary distribution operations utilizing U-Haul donated trailers and large tents from a local farm supply company. These structures housed the food in refrigerated containers and shelves and provided cover for the volunteers who distributed food to its clients. Later, the onset of cold weather necessitated a move to a suitable building that accommodated the growing need for additional space. It is of note that Feeding Hands distributed more than $1 million worth of food last year with the assistance of nearly 300 volunteers supported by a Core Group of 60 individuals.
Cindy Price, of Pioneers Chapter 132, has played an integral role in Feeding Hands since its startup in 2014. She attends Emmanuel Church in Somerville, which partnered with the food bank to serve Somerset County residents. After initial setup, Cindy contributed to planning and maintaining the physical set up. She became the food room manager, gleaning donations from local businesses, stocking and organizing during our off hours and managing client food selections during our evening hours. As operations began to normalize, Cindy stepped up to take over food ordering and acquisition from the Community Foodbank of NJ, a Feeding America partner and major food supplier. She channeled her skills and expertise in Product management and Manufacturing which she acquired at Alcatel Lucent Technologies to lend assistance with order processing, inventory, logistics, warehousing, procurement, distribution and delivery. Moreover, she collaborated with the community food bank and other local food contributors to conduct needs assessment, shortages and reconciliation of items. And not in the least, she has contributed to the most important goal to ensure there are sufficient healthy foods available for our guests. Lois Bennett, Feeding Hands Executive Director, has often referred to Cindy as “my Boss” because of her tenacious nature and unrelenting desire for efficiency. As such, she works to assure that guidelines, as they relate to both pantry processes and client engagement are sustained.” To date, she has remained steadfast in her commitment, and overwhelmingly dedicated throughout this Pandemic. And, with a complete understanding that she could compromise her own safety, she has not been led to withdraw from any activities that include her engagement in the full program and process spectrum. Cindy is an authentically dedicated volunteer who welcomes opportunities to serve.
Not a stranger to volunteerism, she has supported other non-profits such as CrossRoads Theatre, a regional playhouse located in Central NJ and, when she travels to her hometown of Roanoke VA, she volunteers at Harrison Museum of Africian American Culture, an art museum that her brother curates. This is who she is!! And to echo Lois, “We thank you for your outstanding service and dedication to this organization.” When asked what motivates her to volunteer, Cindy responded: I started to volunteer because I believed that it was incumbent upon me to help those in need, to connect with church and community outreach activities, and to offer skills I have acquired that can be used in a productive way. Volunteering at the pantry since 2014 in different activities has become a means through which I can give back to the community and to acknowledge the support that my own family members in Virginia received when they needed it.
Volunteering at the pantry also afforded an opportunity to develop closer relationships and friendships with my neighbors during the Thanksgiving Turkey dinner distribution and weekly Tuesday evening food distribution. Tuesday evening was the Donna, Louise and Cindy team helping our clients with standard bags and additional food selections. Although the Pandemic has changed our involvement, the support remains. Several other neighbors have joined us to volunteer at the Pantry or have made financial gifts. I am pleased to contribute to a cause that I care about; its benefits are reciprocal, and it matches my desire to help others.
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
Lisa Hailey Knight (l) and Sandra L. Chamber in the car – Credits: Care of Lisa Hailey Knight
Lisa Hailey Knight (l) representing New Outlook Pioneers, and Sandra L. Chambers (r)Credits: Care of Lisa Hailey Knight
Tim Lowe, Sr., Vice President & Liaison Officer, Plainfield Rescue SquadCredits: Care of Lisa Hailey Knight
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
Tonya (left) and Leana (right) are pictured with a Medemerge staff member
The 65 meals included a variety of Mr. Subs specialty sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages.
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
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
