Building a Stronger Community in Paterson

Community engagement is one of the hallmarks of our community safety initiatives, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). It is led by residents and spearheaded by Paterson’s 4th Ward Councilwoman, Ruby Cotton. In collaboration with Paterson Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together NJ, we have been working to implement physical improvements to the neighborhood such as installing exterior solar-powered lights and reflective house numbers; installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; resident led clean ups of local parks; and improving reporting of broken street lights.

We have also been working to increase community participation in monthly CPTED meetings and activities. This past year we implemented quarterly celebrations where residents can come together to have dinner, celebrate their successes and learn more about resources available to them and strategies to improvement the community. Some of our community workshops include: Tenant Rights, Census 2020, Home Energy Support initiatives, and Workforce Development opportunities. Residents choose the topics of the workshops and help spread the word about the opportunities to their neighbors.

For more information about partnering in this work, contact Mary Celis, Director of Health Initiatives, United Way of Passaic County: maryc@unitedwaypassaic.org or visit our Facebook page: @PassaicFood. Please read more about our progress here: Blueprint for Action Progress Report.

For more information about CPTED, please contact Darryl Jackson, Community Organizer, Paterson Habitat for Humanity: Darryl@patersonhabitat.org

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