By Jeff Friedman
Editor’s Note: This week, Jeff Friedman, founder and CEO of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), explains, in his own words, how the organization continues its school supply drive initiatives.
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Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) volunteers were happy to continue providing for the homeless and families living below the poverty line through deliveries to founding distribution partner, Newark Emergency Services For Families (NESF).
Those who read my missive in last week’s Tribune know that we started with 75 cases of fresh produce and fruit for NESF’s monthly Community Grocery Giveaway at their Newark facility. Then, a few days later, LPI volunteers were back with well over 100 colorful backpacks stuffed with school supplies and some 1,000 donated name-brand soap bars.
The new backpacks were donated by students who attend the ECLC Chatham School. LPI’s strong partnership with ECLC continues to thrive and grow, originally modeled by Livingston resident Michele Florio-Campisi, an ECLC staffer, and under the direction of ECLC teacher and philanthropist, Judy McGrath Burns.
ECLC’s Chatham school enrolls around 160 students with a range of special needs, primarily autism, Down syndrome and multiple disabilities. The goal is to mirror a “typical” school experience with clubs, activities, trips, proms, and a beautiful graduation ceremony.
At the same time, students are prepared for life after graduation with a renowned Transition Program, beginning at age 14. The program begins with in-house work experiences and eventually places students into actual work places. Students learn basic job skills and get a feel for the type of job they might pursue as an adult.
“Thank you Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. for your generous donation of books, school supplies and personal hygiene items for our children and families without addresses,” Newark’s Amina Bey, executive director at NESF and the Weequahic Family Success Center said. “We appreciate your continuous support of Newark Emergency Services for Families, Inc.”
“We are donating them to residents without addresses who are with a few of our partner agencies,” Bey continued. “Essex Regional Educational Service Commission, Harmony House at New Community Corporation, the Newark YMCA, and our satellite office at the Weequahic Family Success Center.”
This month, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. commences our 13th year of service to our constituencies in need of immediate service. Poverty was huge prior to the pandemic, gigantic during COVID and now beyond one’s imagination. Please visit LPI’s website at njhomeless.org or our PayPal page at paypal.me/njhomeless. See you next week, space permitting.
Photo: Amina Bey, executive director at Newark Emergency Services For Families (NESF) shares a light moment with Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder Jeff Friedman during delivery of backpacks stuffed with school supplies and name-brand soap bars.
