Newark

In summer 2008, SNLP replicated its model and expanded regionally to launch Sadie Nash Newark. 17 young women participated in a 6-week Summer Institute (click to Summer Institute) and in partnership with Rutgers University-Newark. After careful evaluation and focus groups with youth participants, SNN expanded to an after-school class in spring 2009. Also in spring 2009, SNLP hired Newark resident and community activist Tynesha McHarris (click to staff page) as part-time SNN Project Director. In summer 2009 we doubled our numbers and worked with 30 young women and have since continued after-school programming.

Spring 2010 classes in Newark include: Honoring My Voice: Using Hip Hop as Art Therapy, My Kind of Justice: Making Waves in Newark, and Sadie Nash 101 – all held on the Rutgers-Newark campus. In addition, we have also launched the Community Action Placement (CAP) internships (modeled after the NYC program, click here) in which young women work up to 4 hours every week in community based organizations in Newark and are paid by SNLP for their work. For a full description of these programs click here.

For the upcoming Sumer Institute, now in its third year in Newark, we hope to work with at least 40 young women on the Rutgers-Newark campus. (click here for an application to this program)

Sample results from our 2009 Summer Institute in Newark included:

Attendance: 92% of the girls attended “all” (72%) or “most” (20%) of the summer.

Demographics:
56% African-American
16% Latina
28% Multiracial
Median Age: 16.5

• 86% have expanded their perception of who leaders can be

• 88% agree with the statement “I am now more able to speak up for what I believe in even if it is unpopular to do so”

• 92% feel more excited about or interested in going to college

• 92% agreed with the statement “I have more options for my future”

• 92% feel they have gained skills and ideas that will help them career or in college

• 85% better understand how to build community and the value of showing respect and concern for others

• 85% feel they are now better able to express their ideas verbally

• 100% agreed with the statement “I can take what I have learned at the Summer Institute and apply it at school”

• 100% feel a sense of sisterhood

• 100% “Feel more confident b/c of participating in the Summer Institute”