Jubilee Center of Hoboken Hosts 11th Annual Beloved Community Celebration

The Jubilee Center of Hoboken will be hosting its annual gala, the Beloved Community Celebration, on Oct. 16 at 7 pm at the Hudson Tea Building Residents’ Club in Hoboken. The event will honor the following local restaurateurs for donating nutritious hot meals to Jubilee Center students every week:

Dave and Wanda Jacey- Black Bear Bar & Grill
German Alvarado and Todd Mark Miller- Zylo Tuscan Steakhouse
Mark and Sheila Nisler – Zack’s Oak Bar & Restaurant
Dave and Kris Carney- The Madison Bar & Grill
Mario Steriti and Amy Maurici- 10th & Willow Bar & Grill
Cindy Samaris, Mike Fasciano and Margherita Fasciano – Margherita’s Pizzeria & Café

The Jubilee Center began in 1996 as a homework club for children in Hoboken’s public housing community. Since then, the program has expanded into a year-round safe haven for Hudson County’s most vulnerable youth. Every day, over 100 children walk through the doors of the Jubilee Center’s three-story community center to receive academic support and participate in enrichment activities, such as dance, cooking, karate, and art. Each evening, students receive a nutritious hot meal donated by the honorees at this year’s event.

“Our daily meal program will help set our students up for a life of proper eating and nutrition, almost certainly helping them to live longer,” said David Shehigian, Executive Director of the Jubilee Center. “Provide children with the right nutrition now and they will learn at an early age what’s necessary for good health.”

Support for the Jubilee Center is essential. Studies have shown that after-school programs lower obesity rates, reduce drug use, and improve academic performance and school attendance. The Jubilee Center goes above and beyond to help students overcome barriers and thrive.

This past summer, children received educational instruction each morning from a team of five highly qualified teachers. By the end of summer camp, 95% of students’ math, reading, and writing test scores improved. During the school year, academic enrichment is supplemented by evening tutoring sessions, hands-on science and technology workshops, and field trips.

“We are not just an aftercare program. We take academics seriously,” said Mr. Shehigian. “During summer camp our goal is to prepare students for the upcoming school year.”

For more information about the Jubilee Center and the Beloved Community Celebration, visit the Jubilee Center online.