There’s a small community center hidden in the busy streets of Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City. Despite its size, for more than three years it has been making a big difference in the neighborhood. Just ask the mayor.
At C-Line, founder and Executive Director Caroline Nelson is busy working with the residents in the neighborhood promoting physical and mental wellness. When residents come to the center they are treated with care in order to educate them with the skills necessary for them to be independent, according to Nelson.
"Our objective is to provide a quality partial care facility, which will enable clients to maximize their efforts toward total independence," Nelson said during an interview in her office last week. "We want people to establish community living skills with on-going efforts to reduce or eliminate the need for unnecessary hospitalizations."
C-Line is a non-profit center where Nelson and her staff of five provide individualized treatment, group counseling, case management, crisis management and intervention, reality orientation therapy, music therapy, exercise, outreach therapy, life skills training, educational and recreational excursions, and stress management.
They also offer family counseling for domestic violence, sexual abuse, bereavement and marriage difficulties.
"Our mission is to save and prevent many lives from being destroyed by the struggle of life," Nelson said. "Many problems can be prevented and resolved when education is available. We believe that our mission can be accomplished by providing various aspects of social services."
C-Line receives partial funding from the Jersey City Department of Economic Development and the Hudson County Office of Social Services.
In October Nelson received an endorsement by Mayor Glenn Cunningham, who acknowledged the group as a vital part of the community, and a leader in drug prevention services.
"C-Line has demonstrated a leadership in the community," Cunningham said on Oct. 3 during a community meeting at St. Michael’s Church on Virginia Avenue.
Nelson said she is happy with the mayor’s endorsement and looks forward to working with him in future projects.
"I think he [Cunningham] is very sincere in what he is doing," Nelson said.
Originally from South Carolina, Nelson moved to Jersey City with her family at an early age. She attended New Jersey City University (NJCU) where she earned a bachelor’s degree. In addition to C-Line, she works as a social worker at the Hudson County Office of Welfare Services. She recently went back to NJCU, where she is studying for a master’s in social work.
Nelson gets her inspiration to work with people from God, she said. A very religious individual, she lectures and runs youth programs at House of God church on Ocean Avenue.
Lamar, Nelson’s youngest son, helps out around at C-Line answering phones, communicating with residents and recruiting supporters for the group.
"The community needs help," he said. "With drugs and homelessness, we need a place where people can go for assistance."
In the near future, Nelson would like to improve the quality of services she offers and expand her center to accommodate more people.
"We have submitted a proposal for expansion," Nelson said.
C-Line is located on 88 Martin Luther King Dr. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 200-1965.