Top row: Latonya Brennan, Ming Chen, Lori Ferguson and Marilyn Grabowski. Bottom row: Itzel Perez Hernandez, Glenn Alonzo Richardson and David Stout.
The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is pleased to announce the addition of seven new members to its board of directors, including three area residents.
Clockwise from top left: Adriana Medina Gomez, Itzel Perez Hernandez, Yaritza Ortega, Karina España and Karla Ortega. (Photos from Zoom. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
As it became clearer in the weeks after the November 3 election that Joe Biden would become the 46th president of the United States, Adriana Medina Gomez‘s phone began ringing more than usual.
“Among our clients, there was a sense of, ‘OK, Biden won, now what? What can I do to get legal?'” said Medina Gomez, a legal assistant in the Red Bank office of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker social justice organization. “Like immediately, the calls started pouring in about that.”
Marchers took to the streets of Red Bank in June, 2018 to protest the Trump Administration’s border policies. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A virtual parade of speakers, some near tears, pressed the Red Bank council Wednesday night to support a host of protections for undocumented immigrants.
“It is never symbolic to acknowledge the humanity of any one person,” said a young woman who identified herself as Carla, Red Bank Regional senior and officer of the school’s Dreamers organization. “Doing so is, in fact, the most radical of acts,” she said.
Itzel Perez Hernandez, seen at right above last November with fellow Red Bank ‘Dreamers’ Cristian Aparicio and Deysi Avila, said she is “thrilled” by the United States Supreme Court’s decision Thursday thwarting the Trump Administration’s efforts to to rescind protections for young immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, better known as DACA.
Compañeros de Comida includes, from left, Catherine White, Charlotte Stant, Katherine Busch, Brooke Bosonac, Julia Lazarescu, Charlotte Shenman and Margot White. (Not shown: Brett Cetnar Garrett.) (Click to enlarge.)
There is an exciting new community collaboration in Red Bank. Several weeks ago, Lunch Break introduced a community grant program offering families financial assistance during the COVID Pandemic. At that time, Itzel Perez of American Friends Service Committee, Isabel Escalante, a parishioner at St. Thomas Church, Charlotte Stant, a rising senior at RFH and Risa Clay, Tinton Falls councilwoman and retired Red Bank Regional High School principal began working with the Greater Red Bank Women’s Initiative (GRBWI) Immigration Committee to help identified families complete their applications.
YMCA President & CEO Laurie Goganzer is encouraging local residents to pitch in and give back to the community through the Y’s Togetherhood program.
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is encouraging local residents to help strengthen the community through a new volunteer initiative announced at the organization’s 31st commemorative breakfast honoring the civil rights leader.
Cristian Aparicio, Deysi Avila and Itzel Perez Hernandez have all attended Brookdale Community College under their status as DACA ‘Dreamers.’ (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
While the Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday on the Trump Administration’s move to rescind protections for undocumented young immigrants, a busload of them from Red Bank planned to be out on the streets of Washington, D.C.
The court’s decision “is make-or-break” for them, said Itzel Perez Hernandez, a 26-year-old borough resident who is among the some 700,000 ‘Dreamers’ still afforded protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, better known as DACA.
Borough resident Karla Ortega, left, translated remarks by Lieutenant Juan Sardo into Spanish as Councilwoman Kate Triggiano, right, looked on at last week’s council meeting. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
In what may be a first in New Jersey, Red Bank police will be able to draw on a team of local volunteers to help them bridge language divides in dealing with the public.
A new program championed by first-term Councilwoman Kate Triggiano will make volunteer interpreters available to help police in their normal duties as well as at community events, she said.
Immigrant advocates Brenda Codallos, left, and Itzel Perez listen as attorney Michele Alcalde speaks at RBR Thursday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
The political conflicts that rage over immigration will eventually be settled by today’s young people, who overwhelmingly believe immigrants are good for America, a guest speaker at Red Bank Regional High said Thursday.
Until then, however, the fears of immigration opponents must be met with data that demonstrates the economic benefits of immigration, he and others said.
Itzel Perez, left, and Karina Espana were among the ‘Dreamers’ available to assist others with the DACA renewal process during a clinic at the Red Bank Primary School Monday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Preparing themselves for the worst, more than a dozen undocumented young immigrants turned out at the Red Bank Primary School Monday night for guidance on navigating a future made less certain in recent weeks by the Trump administration.
SOURCE Director Suzanne Keller (left) with Corey Van Huff, first recipient of the Sean Macon Memorial Scholarship, presented to him by Sam, Tiaunna and Lynn Macon.
Press release from Red Bank Regional High School
Recently, The Source in-school program at Red Bank Regional High School hosted its 17th annual year end reception, a celebratory event to award student scholarships and honor the Community Partnerships that enable its mission, “To remove all obstacles that impede the success of young people in our community.”
Left to right: Monica Urena, Jocelyn Rojas, Mariela Reyes, Veronica Perez, Itzel Perez and Carlos Aparicio were among the Red Bank Regional students who were present at last year’s Latino Scholarship Fashion Show, and who benefitted from the fundraiser which greatly supplements their college tuition. Volunteers are sought to help run the 2016 show, which takes place on Sunday, February 21 at the Oyster Point Hotel.
“I have my Associates Degree in Psychology and Political Science because I love the community and want to help the people in it. None of this would have been possible without the Andrew Kroon Memorial Scholarship.” Brookdale graduate, Red Bank Regional High School (RBR) alumna and current New Jersey City University Undergraduate student, Itzel Perez.
“Immigrants come to this country to find their dream and to better themselves…. If not for these people, I don’t know where I would be.” Brookdale graduate and RBR alumnus Andres Perez
“I benefited from this wonderful, wonderful opportunity, and thank you for making my academic journey possible.” RBR alumnus, Brookdale graduate and current New Jersey City University undergraduate Carlos Aparicio.
These are three of dozens of grateful Red Bank Regional High School immigrant students who realized their dream of attending college, only because of the generous scholarship provided by the Andrew Kroon Memorial Scholarship for over a decade. One of the main events that support the fund is the Andrew Kroon Memorial Fashion Show, which takes place on Sunday, February 21, 2016, at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank. It features fabulous gift baskets, a 50-50 raffle, an accessories boutique and local shop fashions modeled by RBR students.
The 2015 SOURCE Scholarship winners from Red Bank Regional High School include (left to right) Lance Vanglahn, Leidy Fabiana Villegas, and Jorge Benevides, all of Red Bank.
Press release from Red Bank Regional High School
Its mission is “to remove all obstacles that impede the success of young people in the community.” At its recent 15-year anniversary awards reception, the SOURCE program at Red Bank Regional High School celebrated many of the ways in which it has done precisely that.
SOURCE Director Suzanne Keller welcomed the many community partners, RBR students and their parents to the 15th anniversary event, stating that over $40,000 of scholarship money was awarded to RBR students through these partnerships and the fundraising efforts of the dedicated SOURCE Foundation. Ms. Keller also credited RBR’s Principal Risa Clay for having the vision in establishing The SOURCE, RBR’s School Based Youth Services Program 15 years ago.
One of the programs established by Mrs. Clay and the SOURCE five years ago was the Andrew Kroon Memorial Scholarship Award, which enables Hispanic students who have achieved academic success despite great obstacles, to attend Brookdale Community College. Two of those students, Itzel Perez and Carlos Aparicio, who took advantage of the scholarship and graduated from Brookdale College, were also celebrated. Both have distinguished themselves at Brookdale and are currently pursuing their baccalaureate degree at New Jersey City University in Jersey City. They were gratified to learn that their benefactor, The Kroon family, would be extending their support toward their continuing education.
Carlos Aparicio brought tears to the collective eyes of the audience when he told Mr. Kroon, “Like Batman or Superman, you are my childhood hero; that is what you mean to me. I benefited from this wonderful, wonderful opportunity, and thank you for making my academic journey possible.”
This year’s winners of the coveted Andrew Kroon Scholarship award are pictured with members of the Andrew Kroon Memorial Scholarship Committee. Pictured (left to right) are Chris Rumph, Board Vice President, Jocelyn Rojas Hernandez, Diana Escalona Cayetano, Mariela Reyes, Monica Urena, and Board President Carolina Sachs.
Press release from Red Bank Regional High School
At its year-end reception, Red Bank Regional High School’s school-based youth services program The Source honored individuals who have positively impacted the lives of RBR students during the year. The Source and its affiliates also awarded over $28,000 in scholarships to students.
With an emphasis on the overall optimal health of the students at Red Bank Regional, The Source is a comprehensive program that includes mental health counseling, preventative medical, dental and eye care, employment opportunities and learning support.
RBR Source Director Suzanne Keller recognized RBR math teacher Sunny Lenhard with the “Outstanding Service Award” for recognizing a need in the community, and helping to implement a program to address it. With Mrs. Lenhard’s assistance, the Source was able to organize a community-based tutoring program to aid students who could not access that help offered at the high school building after school hours. She, along with five of her colleagues and RBR National Honor Society students, tutored the students two evenings a week. A second recognition, the Community Partnership Award, was given to Lori Hohenlietner, Executive Director of Horizons Student Enrichment Program, which provided assistance for Mrs. Lenhard’s envisioned tutoring program. In addition, Horizons, a member of the Source Advisory Board, also contributed toward the Andrew Kroon Memorial Scholarship Fund; which for eight years has helped Hispanic students achieve their dream of attending college.
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of April 1 to April 15, 2017. This information is unedited. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
[See UPDATE below]
CRIMES
Criminal Mischief: On 04-01-17 in the area of Monmouth St it was reported that decorative flag streamers were ripped off of a building. The Streamers are valued at $200.00. Ptl. Benjamin Springer.
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of July 16 to July 23, 2015. This information is unedited.
CRIMES
Criminal Mischief occurring on 7-16-15 at Monmouth St. parking lot. Unknown person(s) cracked windshield on parked vehicle. Ptl. Matthew Ehrenreich
Criminal Mischief occurring between 7-17-15 and 7-19-15 at Tilton Ave. Victim reported that unknown subject(s) smashed windshield on parked truck. Ptl. Shane Dengel
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of September 5 to September 12, 2013. This information is unedited.
CRIMES:
Theft occurring between 8-30-13 and 9-6-13 at Riverside Ave. Victim reported that unknown person(s) stole $1,000.00 in cash from bedroom of condo. Ptl. Nicholas Maletto.
Theft from vehicle occurring between 9-6-13 and 9-7-13 at Newman Springs Rd. Victim reported that unknown person(s) took a check from parked vehicle. Ptl. Patrick Kennedy.
Criminal Mischief occurring on 9-8-13 at Locust Ave. Victim reported that unknown person(s) damaged tire on parked vehicle. Ptl. James DePonte.