(NEWARK, NJ) -- Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) was honored to partner with the Dodge Poetry Festival as part of its "Dodge in the Community" initiative. After six weeks of devoted preparation under the direction of CHCA Arts and Creative Placemaking Manager, Margie Johnson, CHCA's cohort of 13 talented young people from Newark's South Ward delivered an outstanding poetry performance at the Newark Public Library.

After training alongside graduate students from Rutgers University’s MFA program and NJPAC’s Community Engagement Department, the young poets took center stage at the Dodge Poetry Festival’s Community Day on October 19, 2024. The group served as the grand finale for the day’s lineup, performing last for an enthusiastic audience. The performance, held at 11:00am at the Newark Public Library at 5 Washington Street, highlighted not only the vibrant spirit and resilience of South Ward residents but also the active role they are playing in bringing new life to their neighborhoods through art and self-expression.

"Our youth have a profound role in shaping the future of our community," said Johnson. "Their poetry speaks to their lived experiences, their hopes, and their dreams, all while contributing to the larger conversation of revitalizing Clinton Hill and other neighborhoods here in the South Ward. This performance wasn’t just about art; it was about giving our youth a platform to be heard. And we should be listening to what they have to say."

CHCA is deeply committed to engaging residents, especially young people, in efforts to strengthen the South Ward community, and Clinton Hill in particular. Through poetry, these young individuals are not only finding their voices but also contributing to the cultural and social fabric of their community.

One of the participants shared, "Poetry allowed me to express things I didn’t know how to say before. This experience helped me realize that our stories matter, and that we can make a difference with our words."

Another performer added, "Working with the cohort and seeing other young poets from all over my community gave me hope. We all have different stories, but together, we’re making our neighborhoods stronger."

This partnership between CHCA, the Dodge Poetry Festival, and NJPAC is a testament to the importance of the arts in empowering youth and fostering community resilience. CHCA looks forward to continuing its work with young residents, using the arts as a tool for revitalization and positive change.

Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) is a nonprofit, community development organization that engages residents and partners to revitalize the Clinton Hill neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward. We believe this work must be led by residents, alongside partners who understand the centrality of the role of residents in naming challenges, identifying solutions that are most responsive to their hopes and aspirations, and collaboratively acting for sustained progress. CHCA facilitates this collaborative action and advocacy with a focus on quality, affordable housing, food security, economic empowerment, and environmental justice. Since our founding in 2019, we have worked to build trust in the community and engage residents to address long standing issues. 

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.  Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted 11 million visitors (including almost two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.