Wednesday, September 6, 2017

New STEP Youth Center Coming to Newark's West Ward


NEWARK, N.J.: There will soon be a new place for children to go after school hours in Newark.

According to City records, "a mentoring program focused on the well-being of Newark's male youth" is coming to the building at 605 Orange Street, at the corner of Hedden Place, in Newark's West Ward near the East Orange city limits. The structure, known for the bible verse and murals painted on the exterior, was previously occupied by the Freedom in Christ Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ America, Inc., but it is now set to be rehabilitated by Striving Together Equals Progress, Inc., or STEP. The organization regularly hosts educational programming and events for young Newarkers, including financial literacy seminars, an orators club, a lecture series, open mic nights, vegetarian barbecues, and community skate nights.

The building has most recently been owned by the City of Newark, but the Newark Municipal Council voted during its meeting on August 22nd to sell it for $5,000 to STEP since it "is no longer needed for public use."

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