Jubilee Center of Hoboken Gala — Thursday, October 22 at the Kolo Klub

The Jubilee Center of Hoboken will hold its annual fundraising gala, the Beloved Community Celebration, on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Kolo Klub (1422 Grand Street, Hoboken).

Each autumn at the event The Jubilee Center honors those who have made significant contributions to the community. This year’s honorees include:

• Joe Mindak (Publisher Emeritus of hMAG)
• Greg Dell’Aquilla (President of Mission 50 shared office spaces)
• Helen Manogue (President of the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy of NJ)

The event also highlights some of the youth and their families who participate in Jubilee Center activities.

This year’s event will feature an open bar, specialty cocktails, great food, and music by Hoboken’s own trombonist, composer, and bandleader, Jimmy Bosch.

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, 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 generously donated by a local area restaurant.

“Our daily meal program will help set our students up for a life of proper eating and nutrition,” 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, the vast majority 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.”

To purchase tickets for the event, or just make a donation, please click here.