Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Boards of the Jubilee Center of Hoboken and the All Saints Community Development Corporation, we would like to publicly and enthusiastically thank Larry Henriques for his leadership, dedication, energy, insight and tireless work as Chair of the Board of the Jubilee Center of Hoboken.
Larry, who stepped down in July, served as Chair from the Center’s inception in 2003. Many people including mothers living in public housing, the parishioners of All Saints Episcopal Church, and the Reverend Laurie Wurm collaborated on the dream and initial funding of a place for kids on Hoboken’s West Side. Under Larry’s leadership this dream was transformed into to the Jubilee Center at 601-603 Jackson St.
We have benefited from the work of many people in this community: politicians who secured us federal, state, and local grants, businesses who donate to fund raising events and provide merchandise, restaurants that supply dinner for the children, and community members who volunteer, donate cupcakes, books, ideas and money and serve on the board. This confluence of support and ownership by the community is what Larry strove for and achieved in his tenure as Chair.
The Center survived the loss of a government grant and Larry spearheaded an aggressive and successful campaign. He served has our chief ambassador, our strategist and our biggest cheerleader. Thanks to Larry’s tireless efforts, the Jubilee Center continues today as a safe haven for children of Hoboken’s public housing. The center, now in its 7th year, serves 80 children every day. Under Program Director Craig Mainor, we have a full day of summer camp including reading, math, dance, field trips and, this week, sleep over camp. This summer, we also hosted the Hoboken Public Schools’ Reading First Program for K-3rd grade. During the school year, we provide after school programming, tutoring, field trips, and dinner. Executive Director Dr. Michele White started the West Side Women Group which focuses on financial literacy and health. This group also has hosted meetings with School Superintendent Peter Carter, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Transportation Manager Ian Sachs. Our Teen Career Exploration Group explores the working world in various professions.
None of this would be possible without the super human efforts of Larry. His campaigning and stewardship brought the Center from a dream to a building, from financial precariousness to stability, from a place to a non-profit embraced, recognized and supported by the community of Hoboken. Please join us in saying THANK YOU Larry!
Geoff Curtiss, President All Saints Community Development Corporation
Donna Garban, Chair The Jubilee Center of Hoboken