I have made no secret that I have issues with much of the "politics" of the CCR, including their lobbying of the School District for delevelling and their lobbying of Trenton on Affordable Housing legislation. However, politics aside, in reviewing their financials & financial model in comparison to other nonprofits, both supported and not supported by the Village, it became apparent that something is not right. First, unlike the other organizations supported by the Village, they pay rent plus a significant amount for telephone and internet connectivity. To rectify this, I proposed that we locate appropriate space within either Village Hall or The Baird and provide them space in lieu of a financial subsidy.
Secondly, reviewing a list of other nonprofits in our community, I identified numerous valuable organizations that receive ZERO Municipal dollars, utilizing other models to sustain themselves. Finally, many supporters of the CCR claimed that if we support integration we MUST provide them a subsidy. My response is that we (both as individuals and as a community) support the following organizations, yet we do not provide a taxpayer subsidy to prove it:
Achieve
Improves the academic skills of children in-need by matching them with trained volunteer tutors from the local communities. Every year, 150 ACHIEVE volunteers provide over 2,500 hours of free tutoring to 250 students in grades K-12, who are referred for extra help by their teachers and guidance counselors. ACHIEVE recruits volunteers - professionals, retirees, parents and high school and college students - from local groups and organizations and the community-at-large.
Adult School of South Orange/Maplewood
Offers a wide array of affordable, high-quality classes, lectures, and trips to more than 1,600 local residents each semester
First Night of Maplewood/South Orange
Provides an alcohol-free family-friendly way for the Community to celebrate New Years Eve
Jersey Animal Coalition
Provides homeless dogs and cats with medical attention, shelter, and boarding, and find them permanent loving homes. Based in South Orange, New Jersey, but place animals throughout the state and nearby states. Since its founding, rescued over 6,500 stray and abandoned pets. Without JAC's intervention, these animals would most likely have been euthanized in pounds or left to die on the streets.
JESPY House
An extraordinary program for adults with learning and developmental disabilities who demonstrate the ability to live independently and gain competitive employment.
Lions Club of South Orange
Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 202 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters.
Montrose Park Historic District Association
Promote, preserve and beautify the Montrose Park Historic District, maintain its integrity and enhance the quality of life for its residents. Promotes promote public awareness and sensitivity to the history and architectural significance of the Montrose Park Historic District through house tours, lectures, beautification programs and other projects.
Newcomers Club of South Orange/Maplewood
Extends a warm welcome to newcomers in both South Orange and Maplewood. Has about 100 member households and run 15 to 20 activities each month. Hosts a monthly General Meeting and offer a wide variety of activities, programs and services in an effort to acquaint new residents with the area and to promote camaraderie and lasting friendships.
South Mountain Peace Action
A community organization based in the towns of Maplewood and South Orange, New Jersey. Works for peaceful alternatives to war and for changing our national priorities to reduce excessive military spending and to increase resources for human needs and the environment. Holds an annual Be About Peace Day in March and many events and actions for peace during the year.
South Orange Historical & Preservation Society
The goal of the organization is to further the study of the history and architecture of the Village of South Orange, New Jersey.
South Orange Rescue Squad
The primary emergency medical service for South Orange Village. Provides basic Life Support ambulance service free of charge to residents and visitors and provide assistance to our neighboring communities. On duty every night from 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the clock. When not on duty, provides back up service to the paid agency that covers the town. Approximately fifty members are unpaid volunteers who received their initial medical training from the Rescue Squad
South Orange Rotary
Rotary club members are a diverse group working to address various community and international service needs. Through community service, Rotary club members help promote peace and understanding throughout the world.
South Orange / Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Committee
Dedicated to preserving and honoring the memory of the six million Jews and 5 million other victims of the Nazi reign.
Improves the academic skills of children in-need by matching them with trained volunteer tutors from the local communities. Every year, 150 ACHIEVE volunteers provide over 2,500 hours of free tutoring to 250 students in grades K-12, who are referred for extra help by their teachers and guidance counselors. ACHIEVE recruits volunteers - professionals, retirees, parents and high school and college students - from local groups and organizations and the community-at-large.
Adult School of South Orange/Maplewood
Offers a wide array of affordable, high-quality classes, lectures, and trips to more than 1,600 local residents each semester
First Night of Maplewood/South Orange
Provides an alcohol-free family-friendly way for the Community to celebrate New Years Eve
Jersey Animal Coalition
Provides homeless dogs and cats with medical attention, shelter, and boarding, and find them permanent loving homes. Based in South Orange, New Jersey, but place animals throughout the state and nearby states. Since its founding, rescued over 6,500 stray and abandoned pets. Without JAC's intervention, these animals would most likely have been euthanized in pounds or left to die on the streets.
JESPY House
An extraordinary program for adults with learning and developmental disabilities who demonstrate the ability to live independently and gain competitive employment.
Lions Club of South Orange
Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 202 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters.
Montrose Park Historic District Association
Promote, preserve and beautify the Montrose Park Historic District, maintain its integrity and enhance the quality of life for its residents. Promotes promote public awareness and sensitivity to the history and architectural significance of the Montrose Park Historic District through house tours, lectures, beautification programs and other projects.
Newcomers Club of South Orange/Maplewood
Extends a warm welcome to newcomers in both South Orange and Maplewood. Has about 100 member households and run 15 to 20 activities each month. Hosts a monthly General Meeting and offer a wide variety of activities, programs and services in an effort to acquaint new residents with the area and to promote camaraderie and lasting friendships.
South Mountain Peace Action
A community organization based in the towns of Maplewood and South Orange, New Jersey. Works for peaceful alternatives to war and for changing our national priorities to reduce excessive military spending and to increase resources for human needs and the environment. Holds an annual Be About Peace Day in March and many events and actions for peace during the year.
South Orange Historical & Preservation Society
The goal of the organization is to further the study of the history and architecture of the Village of South Orange, New Jersey.
South Orange Rescue Squad
The primary emergency medical service for South Orange Village. Provides basic Life Support ambulance service free of charge to residents and visitors and provide assistance to our neighboring communities. On duty every night from 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the clock. When not on duty, provides back up service to the paid agency that covers the town. Approximately fifty members are unpaid volunteers who received their initial medical training from the Rescue Squad
South Orange Rotary
Rotary club members are a diverse group working to address various community and international service needs. Through community service, Rotary club members help promote peace and understanding throughout the world.
South Orange / Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Committee
Dedicated to preserving and honoring the memory of the six million Jews and 5 million other victims of the Nazi reign.
I certainly don't think anyone in good conscience could critique the value these organizations bring to the community, yet they do so without funding by the taxpayers. Other financial models do exist and the CCR must find which alternative model works for them in order to cease reliance on the taxpayers.
