Archive of ‘Community/ Volunteers’ category

27
Aug
2015

Erin Henderson Visits Jersey City Schools

categories: Community/ Volunteers, Education

school_supplies

New York Jets star linebacker Erin Henderson announced that he is helping Jersey City children in Back2School efforts today, Thursday August 27th at 12 noon.

Henderson teamed up with AngelaCARES and the United Way of Hudson County to provide needed school supplies and even sports memorabilia to students at Urban Expedition Summer Camp and the Miss Chevonne School of Etiquette.  The distribution ach child in these programs will receive a book bag filled with supplies.

“School is essential for the success of our young people,” Angela V. McKnight Founder and CEO of AngelaCARES said.  “Unfortunately, many students do not have and many families cannot afford even the basic supplies such as a notebook, pen, pencil or folders to attend school.”

“I am always willing to provide a way, outlet or spot of hope for those in need, especially children and initiatives that promote education.  Reaching out to get involved was a no brainer for me,” said Henderson.

Let’s get our school on!
JCG

24
Jul
2015

Meditate Jersey City

categories: Community/ Volunteers, Health

meditate

Did you know that you can meditate for free at The Brunswick Center in Jersey City?

The former school at 189 Brunswick Street has transformed into an educational health and wellness center, where classrooms have been converted into dance studios, cardio and weight-training rooms, and the yoga & meditation center.

Volunteers run the meditation classes at 7pm on Mondays (or Tuesdays, depending on attendance availability in the meetup group) and at 5pm on Saturdays.

On my particular visit, Kushal Choksi, who works in hedge funds, was the instructor. We removed our shoes before entering the studio and sat on our mats. First, we did breathing exercises to open up our air passages. Then Kushal led us in a guided meditation that he said would be 10 minutes but when we finished it turned out to be 22 minutes. Time was irrelevent. In meditation, you are so focused on your inner body that you are not concerned with the outside world.

Kushal explained that most of our daily lives involve things pulling us in different directions and that both external and internal forces control our thoughts. But there is one way we can control our thoughts…through breathing. I certainly felt clear-headed and centered after the session, at peace with myself and my surroundings. We were living in the present moment.

I spoke to Amit Haryani, who often leads the classes at The Brunswick Center. He has studied yoga and meditation for 20 years and has taught for 15 of those, finding that it gives him inner peace from his day job as an environmental engineer.

Earlier in ilfe, when Amit was stressed out during exams, his classmate introduced him to “The Art of Living” happiness program, started by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Brunswick Center location offers that as a paid program, once a month. Details here.

“The happiness program is about leading a lifestyle where you can truly be happy,” says Amit. “It gives you the ability to actually be the expression of happiness, rather than be in the pursuit of happiness.”

If anything can be determined from the demeanor of these men and other organizers, it is that they have an inner-peace that radiates positive energy and joy to all of those in their presence.

SCHEDULE:

  • Community Meditations: Monday 7-8pm and Saturday 5-6pm
  • Community Yoga: Tuesday 7-8pm
  • Happiness Program Schedule: Aug 27-31,  Sept 24-28
  • Meditation program: Aug 7-9, Sept 11 – 13  

Ommm,
JCG

24
Apr
2015

Open House at Barrow Mansion 4/24!

categories: Art, Community/ Volunteers, Education, Events, Historic Downtown Jersey City, Live Music, This Weekend in Jersey City

BarrowMansionAS2002

Stop by the Barrow Mansion anytime between 7-9pm this evening to learn about the historic Jersey City mansion.

Con Vivo will be performing jazz music and the artwork of Miguel Cardenas will be on display. A variety of wines will be served up by Cool Vines. Don’t miss out!

Support our awesome city!
JCG

16
Apr
2015

Help Seniors in Jersey City!

categories: Community/ Volunteers

first-aid-boxWant to help local homebound seniors prepare for emergencies? RSVP is the Nation’s largest volunteer network for people ages 55+, and is coming to Jersey City on Wednesday, April 22nd from 10am-1pm.

United Way of Hudson County, and the Secaucus Senior Center are joining forces to make 200 disaster kits for local homebound seniors in case of emergencies. Volunteers are needed at the Secaucus Senior Center to assist with registration, unpack supplies, and put the disaster kits together.

Individuals choose where to serve, how much time to give, and whether they will share skills they already have or develop new ones.   Volunteer activities include helping seniors get access to the healthcare they need, visiting homebound adults, providing critical disaster preparedness and response, providing nonprofit clerical support, and working in local soup kitchens and food pantries. The Disaster Kit Volunteer Service Day is just one example of the important work RSVP volunteers do every day.

To get started: Visit United Hudson and call Alexandra Nagy (201) 526-9706 or email her at anagy@jfsmetrowest.org

 

It’s hip to help!
JCG

 

31
Jan
2015

Help Get Kids Off The Streets

categories: Community/ Volunteers, Education, Gym & Fitness, Jersey City Families, Just Kids

CAM01960Hey Jersey City,

The International Taekwon-d0 Academy (523 Palisade Ave; 201.356.9918) is raising money for a student scholarship.

I befriended owner Vic Teran when he opened the school in the heights a little over a year ago. Vic is Marine Corps Veteran and former U.S State Department – High threat Diplomatic protection overseas officer.

When he returned to the states and opened his studio, his goal was to provide a positive haven for inner-city and underprvileged children to learn leadership, perseverance, team work and self worth. The Academy offers Taekwon-do, TRX, Bootcamp, Yoga, Zumba, Core training (Kickboxing), and self-defense—which will be my next class after getting mugged on my block!

Vic will take it from here:

Our short term goal for the program is to provide a one year scholarship to 50 inner city kids. Long term, I wish to provide this program as a continuous affordable, publicly funded service to the underprivileged children of Jersey City and surrounding impoverished areas.

At the academy, students will learn the tenets of Taekwon-Do: Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, honor, courage and commitment. My goal is to give a haven where I can share my experience andserve as a role model for others to emulate. With every donation, you are helping shape a child’s life. Let’s create a better future and great leaders by focusing our positive energy onto these young children. Every child deserves to start over.  Join our team and help us give back to the community by reaching out to children and giving them a location where they can learn self-value and taking them off the streets!

 

Learn more about the effort and donate here.

 

Thanks Jersey City!
JCG

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