By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones
NEWBURGH – National Night Out is a community awareness event. The goal is to promote police and community partnerships and enhance the relationship between neighbors to build community. It is held in over 16,000 communities all over the United States. It is usually on the first Tuesday of August, however this year it was postponed one week due to the weather.
“Last week we had elements against us… [I] had to get in contact with all the community-based and faith-based vendors. I had 72 vendors that I had to connect with. Some of them are old school, so they don’t have email. So, [I had] to do the actual phone calls and everything. And then some of them don’t have any social media at all. So, [I] had to go knock on a few doors,” said Maritza Wilson, Event Coordinator for National Night Out who works as a Bilingual Clerk for the City of Newburgh. “I’m grateful that the community still continues to embrace it and this is why I do what I do, because of that… I’m blessed to be a part of it.”
Newburgh’s National Night Out has varied over the years. From neighbors turning on their porch lights and sitting in front of their homes to being behind The Department of Motor Vehicles to The Recreation Center to multiple sites around the city. Now it is held on Broadway between Johnston and Liberty Streets.
“They just want to centralize it. This is like the middle of the city. That’s why we’re doing it here,” said City Councilman Omari Shakur who explained that vendors booths are free to organizations that want to participate. “They just have to call in and set up a reservation.”
Various community organizations had exhibits, gave away items and brochures to let people know what services are available, and played games with residents. Mt. Carmel Church of Christ gave away snow cones, candy, and bubbles. Baptist Temple gave away chips, water, Christian bracelets, Christian coloring books, and tracks; they also offered prayer. Vanessa Vazquez and Selina Cruz shared information on The Head Start Program of Eastern Orange County.
“It’s my first time [being at National Night Out]. I really do love it. It’s nice to see the whole community out here having a good time and us being able to support the community and being able to look forward for kids that are three and four years old to come into our program,” said Vazquez who is the Family Liaison at Head Start.
Stephanie DeJesus and Mackenzie Mesuch distributed free toys and clothing to residents. They also gave out brochures about RECAP (Regional Economic Community Action Program).
“We had a bunch of toys out we were giving away. We have clothing donations, costume donations. We just give it back to the community, especially for the little kids,” said DeJesus who is a Parole Case Manager at RECAP which helps formerly incarcerated people access resources so they can become self-sufficient. “We deal with parolees. We help them get acclimated into the community. We help with DSS applications, getting them employment, getting them housing… We teach [about] domestic violence, anger management, relapse prevention, Ready Set Work. We help them do job applications. We help them build a resume. We have food pantries. We have clothing. We take them to their job interviews… We’re just trying to get them acclimated and just get them on the right path.”
TEAM Newburgh, which stands for Together Everyone Achieves More, shared pamphlets about substance abuse. They also handed out bracelets and drug deactivation bags.
“These are drug deactivation bags. They break down the chemical components in your unwanted, expired medication. [Use this] instead of pouring it down the drain or in the toilet because then it’ll go in the water. All you do is put in your unwanted medication. It can break down patches, pills, or liquid. They pour it inside the bag, add warm water, and then you just shake it up and throw it out in the garbage, and it breaks down the components of that chemical,” said Frankie Bryson, Coalition Coordinator for TEAM Newburgh whose mission is to change the way people respond to alcohol and drugs. “We are a Drug-Free Coalition. We teach the community about underage substance use… We teach the kids about underage alcohol and cannabis use. We teach the adults how to lock up their medication so the kids can’t get it… We provide Narcan trainings.”
The Mid-Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. repped the red and white. They led the crowd in double-dutch jump rope. They also registered people to vote and invited young ladies to join their youth program which meets every third Saturday at Baptist Temple.
“We’ve been doing this for the last few years. So, this has been great! We want to give back to the community. We’re doing voter registration. We have a youth program called Delta Gems… Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully. So, it’s for young ladies 14 to 18… so, high school. And we do things like career… Where do you want to go to college? We do things like self-improvement. How do you feel about yourself… We’re handing out the flyers because that starts in September,” said Stefanie Barrett, President of The Mid-Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
DJ HD was on “the wheels of steel.” He kept the crowd dancing with slides, shuffles, and all of the latest music.
“It feels good to DJ in my hometown, and I’m just coming out. I’ve been DJing for five years in the basement. So, two years outside. I take myself seriously,” said DJ HD. “I’ve been here a couple times with DJ Odyssey when he did it. I would just watch it, and he gave me the opportunity to do it now. So, I’m happy to have the opportunity to do my thing.”
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