freeholder president brendan w. gill and the essex county freeholder board approve community services block grants to montclair neighborhood development corporation

Pictured are (from left to right, front row) District 2 Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson, Freeholder At-Large Romaine Graham, District 3 Freeholder Tyshammie L. Cooper, Freeholder At-Large Patricia Sebold, and Freeholder President At-Large Brendan Gill. (From left to right, back row) District 5 Freeholder Carlos Pomares, District 4 Freeholder Leonard M. Luciano, Freeholder At-Large Rufus I. Johnson, and District 1 Freeholder Robert Mercado. PHOTO BY GLEN FRIESON

(Newark, NJ) – On June 10, 2020, Montclair native and Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill and the Freeholder Board approved two resolutions that will channel over $360,000 to the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation (MNDC). These funds were granted through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and will be used for the provision of various programs.

The MNDC offers a multitude of services for community residents ranging from Employment Readiness and Financial Literacy education, to Independent Living Support Services and Youth After-School programs. Through Essex County’s CSBG Program, the MNDC was initially awarded $58,000.00 to be used this year. The resolutions passed by the Board will allocate an additional $233,000.00 to be used by December 31, 2020. Additionally, with Congress passing the CARES Act to assist low-to-moderate income communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the County was able to grant the MNDC an additional $127,767.00 to be used by September 30, 2022.

Freeholder President Gill stated, “As President of the Board of Freeholders, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of working with community organizations in Montclair and throughout Essex County to ensure that funding is directed properly, and is impactful.” He continued, “The MNDC has shown great dedication in working to enhance the quality of life for Montclair residents. I am pleased we were able to do our part and provide the Montclair community, especially in light of COVID-19, with some financial relief.”

MNDC Executive Director Albert Pelham also expressed gratitude regarding the news of the county grants. “The MNDC would like to publicly thank Freeholder President Gill and the rest of the Board for ensuring that the county continues to fund programs, such as our Job Readiness program and Youth After-School programs, that are vital to the growth of the young people of our community.”

Pelham, who oversees community operations for the MNDC, also pointed out the importance of receiving additional funds through the CARES Act. “The courts which were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic are beginning to open up. The money provided through the CARES Act will be vital for needed legal assistance.” He continued, “This additional funding shows our government is keenly aware of the support needed by members of our community.”

Brendan Gill has served as the President of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders since January 2018. He is a lifelong Montclair resident and in the third year of a three-year term as an At-Large Freeholder.