The Flamm Center for Youth Development in Newark will build on the success of the supplementary education and cultural programs of the All Stars Project and bring long-term change for young people in Newark.

The Center will encompass 15,000 square feet and include flexible classroom and performance space, including a 100-150 seat theater. It will have a street-level presence to maximize interface with the Newark community and be located in downtown Newark to facilitate volunteer involvement from the broader New Jersey business and suburban communities.

The Flamm Center for Youth Development in Newark initiative is being spearheaded by a Leadership Committee chaired by hedge fund executive Rick Meckler.

Relying solely on private support, the All Stars Project has implemented its model and put programs on the ground in six cities, reaching more than 10,000 young people each year and winning recognition from distinguished leaders such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Newark Mayor Cory Booker has welcomed the All Stars Project as a community partner in his administration’s effort to prioritize the needs of young people.

Gloria Strickland is the All Stars Project’s leader in Newark. She is a distinguished educator and expert in developmental learning. Ms. Strickland has dedicated her twenty-year career to helping New Jersey’s most disadvantaged youth, serving as Director of the Somerset Community Action Program for 12 years before becoming New Jersey All Stars Project’s founding director in 1999. Over the last seven years, Ms. Strickland has successfully established in the Newark area the All Stars’ two leading outside of school, social and cultural development programs.

The Flamm Center for Youth Development in Newark will be a home for the All Stars Project’s core programs: the Development School for Youth and the All Stars Talent Show Network. It will also support the development of new program activities. The Center will be the hub for an expanding bridge between New Jersey’s poorest young people and a broad and diverse community of caring adults from suburban and corporate New Jersey.

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Rick Meckler, Co-chair; Weston & Ann Hicks, Co-chairs; Ron & Pauline Cantwell; Ellen Flamm; Jeff & Leah Kronthal; David & Barbara Stoller; The Leadership Committee will provide overall direction to the campaign and members will serve as the campaign’s key fundraisers.

All donors will be included in the Support Committee, and we welcome all members to participate in fundraising in partnership with the Leadership Committee and staff fundraising directors Chris Street and Bonny Gildin. Additionally, if you have expertise in real estate or have education or corporate resources you would like to introduce to program director Gloria Strickland please forward that information to Bonny Gildin.

Making a Gift
For information about the Flamm Center for Youth Development, including how you can make a gift, contact Bonny Gildin, Vice President, All Stars Project,744 Broad Street, Suite 524, Newark, NJ 07102; (973) 622-5506 ext. 306 or bgildin@allstars.org.