New Community Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin congratulated the graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide them with the skills needed to start a new career. He also encouraged them to always put in their best effort.

“There may be some tasks that might be unsuccessful or challenging, but at least you know in your heart you gave it your all. Control what you can control,” he said. “Be accountable and responsible. And always remember team collaboration on any task helps everyone.”

Keynote speaker Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka told the graduating class that they should never let challenging situations or past failures deter them from trying to achieve their goals. He said he ran for public office for 16 years before he was successful. He also said having to struggle makes people appreciate their accomplishments.

“I thank you all for taking the stairs and not the elevator. The stairs are harder, they’re more difficult, but when you get to the top of the landing, you appreciate the top because it was a heck of a road getting up there,” he said. “So I want you to remember this journey that you went through and appreciate this journey.”

Medical Assistant Clinical graduate Hafeezah Ragland shared her story at graduation. She began the program in July 2022 shortly after graduating from high school. A few weeks later, she was shot and had to stop attending NCCTI. She recovered and was able to return to school and complete the program with the help of instructor Dr. Mamdouh Sorial and supportive NCCTI staff members. Ragland now works as an Ambulatory Technician at University Hospital in the physical medicine and rehab department. Her future goal is to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN).

“I am super grateful for the opportunity that I was given at NCCTI,” she said.

Ragland also shared words of encouragement to her fellow graduates.

“No matter which route and trials and tribulations you go through in life, never give up. It might be hard, but with the right support and guidance, you’re going to accomplish your goals,” she said.

NCCTI presented New Community Board Chairman Emeritus Dr. A. Zachary Yamba with a plaque of appreciation for his work with the school. Yamba, who retired as Board Chairman in December, worked closely with NCCTI over the years bringing his experience in education to help elevate the school and assist with the re-accreditation process.

Yamba said he became involved with New Community because the organization served him when he first came to the United States. Founder Monsignor William J. Linder asked him to become a member of the Board and wanted him to assume the leadership role after his passing, which Yamba did to carry on the mission of New Community. He said the graduates are a part of that.

“To the graduates today, you are a testament and recipient of the legacy that Monsignor Linder built for our community,” Yamba said.

Employer partners also addressed the crowd. David Hutchinson from Tremco, who founded the Rising Stars Program that NCCTI Building Trades Specialist students participate in, told the graduates that they should be proud of their accomplishments but also look toward future goals.

“Today you’ve completed a very important hurdle. But it is not the end line for you,” he said. “It’s the start of your journey. Continue to press forward and continue to strive for more.”

Kobie Brown from Newark Community Health Centers, which has hired NCCTI students, told the graduates to be accountable to themselves to push themselves forward and not to forget their roots.

“Make sure that you’re doing everything that you can to be a pillar in this community and to be a successful part of this community,” he said.

New Community Director of Mission Frances Teabout closed out the graduation ceremony by thanking the speakers, NCCTI instructors and staff members and the graduates’ support systems. She also asked the graduates to share their positive experiences with others.

“When New Community comes up, I want you all to speak good of us,” she said. “To let somebody know that New Community has made a difference in your life. Because that’s how we’re able to continue doing what we’re doing.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician and Culinary Arts Specialist. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

New Community CEO Simone Gagneron called The Morris an exciting development project that will bring positive changes to the neighborhood. She also stressed the importance of community feedback.

“Your input is vital,” she said. “We are committed to a transparent and collaborative process. Let’s work together to shape a beautiful environment that our children can grow and thrive in.”

New Community Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin thanked attendees for their participation in the meeting.

“This project is a labor of love and passion,” he said. “This is about you, the community.”

Retired New Community CEO Richard Rohrman, who is working as a project manager on The Morris, talked about the uniqueness of constructing a fully subsidized housing facility in the city.

“Nothing like that has been built in Newark in many, many years,” he said. “We’re really excited.”

Inglese Architecture + Engineering Associate Partner Anthony D’Agosta discussed the details of The Morris. The building will have 120 apartments. Twenty percent of the units will be one-bedroom, 20 percent will be three-bedroom and the remaining will be two-bedroom. There will be roughly 30 apartments per floor.

In addition to the apartments, The Morris will have a more than 4,000 square foot amenities space for tenants to use. D’Agosta pointed out that the minimum required size for an amenities space in this type of building is 1,600 square feet.

“Getting 4,000 square feet I think identifies the goals and commitment that NCC has for its projects and properties,” D’Agosta said. “They understand a project that has 120 families on-site needs to have some space to stretch their legs out.”

In addition to the indoor amenities space, The Morris will have a more than 8,000 square foot outdoor space for residents to enjoy.

The Morris will have an underground gated parking garage, accessible from Bruce Street, that will contain 130 parking spaces. There will be seven additional parking spaces outside. The building will have 24/7 security and tenants will have access to a Resident Services Coordinator.

D’Agosta explained that the plans include vibrant colors for the exterior of The Morris along with landscaping and the inclusion of natural light in the interior.

“We’re prioritizing welcoming families to this facility,” he said.

In addition to The Morris, New Community is also working to construct five two-family homes in Newark for sale to first-time home buyers.

More information about The Morris and the two-family homes will be provided to the community as they become available.

New Community Board of Directors Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba has retired from his position with the organization, effective Dec. 31, 2023. Yamba joined the Board in September 2012 and became Chairman in June 2018 following the passing of NCC founder and Board Chairman Monsignor William J. Linder.

Yamba was involved with New Community long before his official capacity as a member of the Board of Directors. He was a parishioner of Queen of Angels Church where Monsignor Linder served as priest during the founding of New Community. He had been asked to join the Board prior to 2012 but declined because of his employment responsibilities. After he retired, he joined New Community’s Board of Directors.

He has enjoyed being able to give back to the community through his work on NCC’s Board.

“The myriad of services that New Community offers are critical to the total well-being of the community. And that has been my passion all along,” Yamba said.

During his service with the Board of Directors, Yamba oversaw the re-syndication of NCC housing, helped lead the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, established Board committees to have closer working relationships with NCC leadership staff, assisted in the re-accreditation process for New Community Career & Technical Institute, led NCC through times of leadership transition and helped relaunch the organization’s Golfing for a Cause fundraiser following the pandemic.

NCC Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin said Yamba has been an ambassador, advocate and steward to New Community.

“As Board Chairman, he successfully ensured that New Community Corporation continued its mission of providing services to the residents of Newark,” Nemorin said. “Although he has resigned as a Board Member and Board Chairman of NCC, we know that he is only a phone call away to assist us in fulfilling our mission.”

Under Yamba’s direction, the Board worked with senior leadership after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of NCC employees, residents and clients while maintaining the necessary services to the community. He also led the organization through two leadership transitions: the passing of Monsignor Linder and the retirement of CEO Richard Rohrman. He was instrumental in the search process for NCC’s current CEO Simone Gagneron.

“Dr. Yamba defines what it means to be in public service. The dedication and support he has provided to New Community and the people of Newark is extraordinary,” Gagneron said. “He has clearly set the stage for others to follow. I would like to thank him personally and professionally for his guidance.”

Yamba said New Community’s mission is just as relevant today as it was in 1968 when the organization was founded and that its offerings continue to be vital.

“It’s my hope and prayer and certainly part of Monsignor’s vision that these services will continue to be provided as long as we have people who need them,” Yamba said.

In addition to his work with New Community, Yamba has served the community in a variety of roles in the areas of education and community development.

Yamba is President Emeritus of Essex County College. He served as President from 1980 to 2010, which is the longest tenure for that position at the school. He was also involved with the institution well before leading it. Yamba joined the humanities faculty when the college opened in 1968 and served as Dean of Faculty before he was appointed President in May 1980.

Current Essex County College President Dr. Augustine Boakye said Yamba strengthened the community through his work.

“Our Essex County College family and the Essex Community owe Dr. Yamba a debt of gratitude for enriching our lives and making education the cornerstone of community engagement and development,” he said.

Yamba served as a commissioner of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools for more than a decade and is a founding member of the Presidents’ Round Table, an affiliate of the National Council on Black American Affairs of the American Association of Community Colleges. His other past affiliations include serving on the boards of the Essex County WIB, Newark Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, American Conference on Diversity, Christ the King Prep Academy, Council of Higher Education in Newark (CHEN) and Newark Boys Chorus School. He is also an Emeritus Board Member of Victoria Foundation.

“For decades, Dr. A. Zachary Yamba has been one of Newark’s great educators and activists. Whether as President of Essex County College, Chairman of the New Community Corporation Board or Commissioner of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, he has mentored and inspired his colleagues, students and residents of our city. His legacy is firm in the hearts and minds of the generations he empowered in his many endeavors,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “As Dr. Yamba enters this new phase of his life, we thank him for his leadership and service to Newark, and wish him joy and success for the future.”

Victoria Foundation Executive Officer Craig Drinkard said the City of Newark, Essex County and the State of New Jersey are all better places because of Yamba’s leadership.

“His tireless and regal service to Newark and all of humanity spans decades and has helped to transform the lives of countless individuals and families,” Drinkard said.

Urban League of Essex County President and CEO Vivian Cox Fraser said Yamba has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to advancing opportunities for families.

“As President of Essex County College and his leadership on the Board of New Community, Zack never lost sight of the people he was there to serve and help.”

A graduate of Seton Hall University, Yamba was awarded honorary degrees from his alma mater, Rutgers University and the University of Development Studies in Ghana. In 1980, Yamba, an All-America soccer player, was inducted into Seton Hall’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Gagneron most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at United Way of Northern New Jersey where she led financial planning and managed human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity serving as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer where she oversaw financial operations and IT functions and managed risks and compliance.

She began her career in finance, serving as a senior auditor. She then took on the role of a senior lead at the real estate management firm Pinnacle Group. From there, she served as Interim CFO/Assistant Vice President of Finance at Palladia Inc., a social services agency in New York City with a $50 million operating budget.

Gagneron earned an MBA in technology from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Binghamton University. She serves on the board of the Baltimore start-up nonprofit organization Transforming Youth Into Adults (TYIA).

New Community Board of Directors Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba expressed the Board’s confidence in the selection of Gagneron because of her background, experience and demonstrated commitment to the urban environment.

“The Board is confident that Simone will continue New Community’s legacy of service and empowerment,” Yamba said.

Another Board Member, Edgar Nemorin, who chaired the CEO Search Committee for the selection of Gagneron, noted her proven leadership with strong financial and business acumen, as well as her wealth of experience in finance, housing and project management.

“She has the skills, knowledge and experience from her work at the YMCA and United Way that will lead New Community Corporation to achieve its goals,” Nemorin said.

In accepting the position, Gagneron has committed to New Community’s mission and looks forward to leading the nonprofit to continued success.

“I am excited to join an organization that continues to be influential in its commitment to changing the life trajectory for inner city families,” Gagneron said. “It is essential that nonprofits and businesses work together to make sure that the next generation has the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.”

Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, who joined the New Community Corporation Board of Directors in September 2012, was unanimously voted into the position of Board President.

The vote occurred June 26, 2018, with all Board Members present, shortly after the passing of New Community Founder Monsignor William J. Linder who had served as the Board Chairman. Monsignor Linder passed away June 8, 2018.

“This board meeting is historic in the sense that June 26, 2018 will be remembered as the starting date of New Community Corporation’s second 50-year journey into providing services and empowering our inner city residents,” Yamba said as he accepted the role of Board President.

Yamba was very close to Monsignor Linder. The pair met 55 years ago and became good friends. Yamba said the Board of Directors would remain true to Monsignor’s vision for New Community going forward.

“Monsignor Linder left a grand legacy for those of us remaining to cherish, protect and most of all continue to grow. Dr. Yamba has a long and distinguished presence in the community and we are fortunate to have a leader who is so committed to our city and its residents,” said New Community CEO Richard Rohrman.

Yamba is President Emeritus of Essex County College. He served as President from 1980 to 2010, which is the longest anyone has held that position at the school. He was also involved with the institution well before leading it. Yamba joined the humanities faculty when the college opened in 1968 and served as Dean of Faculty prior to his appointment as President in May 1980.

He served as a commissioner of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools for more than a decade and is a founding member of the Presidents’ Round Table, an affiliate of the National Council on Black American Affairs of the American Association of Community Colleges. His other past affiliations include serving on the boards of the Essex County WIB, Newark Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, American Conference on Diversity, Christ the King Prep Academy, Council of Higher Education in Newark (CHEN) and Newark Boys Chorus School.

Dr. Yamba is currently also a board member of the Victoria Foundation, Regent Emeritus of Seton Hall University, ASA College in New York and the Two Hundred Club of Essex County.

A graduate of Seton Hall University, Yamba was awarded honorary degrees from his alma mater, Rutgers University and the University of Development Studies in Ghana. In 1980, Yamba, an All-America soccer player, was inducted into Seton Hall’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Board of Directors for New Community Corporation is made up of the following members: Barry Baker, Fernando Colon, Migdalia Martinez, Edgar Nemorin, Newton Richards, Madge Wilson and Yamba.

Monsignor William J. Linder lived a life of service, helping to better the lives of countless individuals during his time on earth. Many of those people gathered to pay tribute to him after his passing June 8 at the age of 82.

Monsignor served others as a priest following his ordination in 1963. Five years later, he founded New Community Corporation, which has served inner-city residents for 50 years and continues to provide critical services like housing, job training, health care and child care.

Those who knew him say he fought to get what was needed for community members and helped others without expecting anything in return.

New Community CEO Richard Rohrman said Monsignor was very hands-on in his approach.

“He touched so many people. And he didn’t do this from up on high. He did it right in front of you, face to face, shaking your hand and walking you through his vision of where he wanted you to be,” Rohrman said. “The people of the city of Newark have lost their greatest and most persistent champion. There is physical evidence of Monsignor Linder’s legacy throughout the city, but his most important legacy is the difference he’s made in many people’s lives through the New Community mission.”

Upon its founding in 1968, New Community Corporation has had the mission “to help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.” Monsignor lived by that mission and worked to ensure those that needed assistance got it.

Housing was a major need. The first NCC housing development, Homes Court, which provided family housing, opened in 1975. Construction on the most recent, A Better Life, a supportive housing facility for chronically homeless individuals that Monsignor envisioned, was completed in 2017. In between, Monsignor oversaw the creation of numerous housing facilities for seniors and families in Newark, Englewood, Jersey City and Orange.

He was also at the helm of NCC when it opened the New Community Federal Credit Union in 1984, took on the renovations at St. Joseph Plaza in 1985 and opened the nursing home, New Community Extended Care, in 1986.

Harmony House, New Community’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, began housing people in 1989 and the Pathmark Shopping Center opened in 1990, helping to alleviate the food desert that existed in Newark at the time. Monsignor welcomed Gov. James Florio to the grand opening of the shopping center.

Monsignor was very involved in education, even before the founding of New Community. He established the Queen of Angels – Seton Hall University Remedial Reading Program in 1964 at the Newark parish to which he was assigned after his ordination. He served as the administrator of the Queen of Angels Parish School from 1966 to 1973.

Education has always been an important part of New Community as well. Under Monsignor’s leadership, New Community Workforce Development Center opened in 1999. The school is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers certification programs in a variety of fields. Also in 1999, NCC established New Horizons Community Charter School in Newark. In 2001, NCC received its first adult literacy education grant which led to the current NCC Adult Learning Center. New Community also operates two facilities for young children: Community Hills Early Learning Center and Harmony House Early Learning Center.

In addition to these services, Monsignor established the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship Fund, which has helped families afford to send their children to Catholic high schools. The goal was to provide a good educational foundation and encourage the students to continue on to college.

Children and parents have expressed their gratitude over the years, saying the scholarships allowed for them to attend a school they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford. The scholarship fund remains in place to continue to help young people get a head start on pursuing their dreams.

Family, friends, colleagues and members of the community celebrated Monsignor’s life and accomplishments at two masses: one at St. Rose of Lima where he served as pastor and the other at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the home church of the Archdiocese of Newark, where he was ordained May 25, 1963.

Father Beatus Kitururu, who is very involved in NCC and knew Monsignor well, delivered the homily at the St. Rose of Lima mass. He discussed how Monsignor’s faith played a large role in his life and because of that faith he was able to help so many others.

“Those who knew well Monsignor Linder realized that he never gave up on anybody,” Father Kitururu said during his homily. “He stood to the end by those who needed the love of God even when some cheated him or betrayed him or spoke ill of him.”

Father Philip Waters delivered the homily at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart mass. He focused on how Monsignor worked hard and successfully helped the people of Newark.

“Many other efforts in the city were built on sand — but his were built on the rock of faith which stood against all the storms that blew against them. Many other programs have been blown away. NCC endures,” Father Waters said in his homily. “But this man who was willing to walk with the poor and the disenfranchised built a legacy which will last as long as people of faith are willing to grasp his vision.”

Monsignor didn’t keep himself apart from those he served. In retirement, he remained a Newark resident and when he needed additional medical care, he moved into New Community’s nursing home, Extended Care. He also decided prior to his passing that he wanted the funeral home that provided services for the patients who could not pay to handle his arrangements.

At the repast celebrating Monsignor’s life and legacy, which was held at St. Joseph Plaza following the funeral mass June 16, those in attendance were encouraged to share their memories. More than a dozen took to the microphone to tell the crowd how Monsignor impacted their lives.

Several talked about how once they met Monsignor, he directed their path in life and had great vision for their future, often seeing something for them that they didn’t see themselves. Many also discussed how he taught them what service to others truly meant and inspired them to give back.

“The one thing that I learned from him and New Community was service,” said Cecilia Faulks, New Community’s first employee. “He taught me service was the righteous way of living.”

Gilda Rogers, who helped Monsignor write his memoir “Out of the Ashes Came Hope,” said, “I just learned from him in the two-year process working with him on that book what it really meant to be of service to people. I thought I knew, but I didn’t.”

New Community Board member Edgar Nemorin said Monsignor pulled God-given talents out of everyone and positively influenced them.

“I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for Monsignor Linder,” he said. “I wouldn’t be involved in community service.”

CEO Rohrman said Monsignor played a large role in his career.

“I’m eternally grateful to him,” Rohrman said. “It’s been just a wonderful experience starting for me in 1981 working with him. And he’s really put me in a place that I never would have been without him.”

Although Monsignor is no longer physically present, the mission he created remains the driving force behind New Community Corporation. Rohrman said NCC will continue to serve residents with Monsignor’s vision in mind.

New Community Board Member Dr. Zachary Yamba spoke prior to the mass at St. Rose of Lima, saying he is grateful for Monsignor’s love, kindness and humanity.

“He always remained true to those who were downtrodden and poor and in need of help,” Yamba said. “And so the board members will continue to remain true to his vision because that vision and that legacy should not die with him.”

Richard Rohrman
NCC Chief Executive Officer

Monsignor Linder many times saw more abilities in me than I did myself. I saw him do this with many others over the years too. He would drop me into a situation and leave me to figure it out on my own. He would ask, “How’s it going?” and was never shy in telling me it was taking too long, but this was his way of pushing me to expand my horizons.

I will never forget the day in 1984 when Monsignor called and asked me to meet him at St. Joseph Plaza right away. St. Joseph Plaza was in the midst of renovations at the time. He pointed out the empty space at the back of the Plaza and said this is going to be the only fine dining restaurant in the Central Ward. He then pointed to the north side of the space and said this is going to be a sandwich shop with New York deli sandwiches. He then pointed to the South side of the space and said this is going to be a Health Spa with a whirlpool and sauna downstairs. I told him that it sounded wonderful and asked him if the same people who were doing the renovations were going to manage the work. “No, you are going to do it,” he said. “After the design and construction is done, I want you to be in charge of opening and running the operations.” In the space of five minutes, I became a restaurant and health spa renovator, equipment buyer and a business manager. Of course there were lots of others involved but it they became my projects that afternoon.

He always had a bigger picture in his head. He had great confidence in people and many of us will miss that.

Madge Wilson
NCC Board Member and Outreach Coordinator

Monsignor Linder, a great legend that we have loved all of these years, slipped away from us recently and it still saddens my heart. However, spending the last few days with him while on vacation really made me happy just to see how much he enjoyed and appreciated life. It meant everything to me. He was a great friend for the past 55 years. Our love and memories of him will bear witness to all of the blessings that he brought into our lives and we have to preserve and honor that.

Having just celebrated and congratulated him on his 82nd birthday at a luncheon made him so happy and he remarked that it was the best birthday that he had ever had.

There have been so many great things said about Monsignor Linder and the wonderful things that he did to enrich and inspire the lives of others, especially the youth that are coming up in our society today. His scholarship program, for example. He was passionate about that because it gave the underprivileged youth the ability to learn and compete with others who were far more advanced. He knew education empowered the youth to lead successful lives and accomplish their goals in life.

Monsignor Linder was truly a visionary. It was after the 1967 civil disorders that occurred in Newark, when he was a young priest assigned to Queen of Angels living in the midst of the riot. He knew at that time after meeting with some of the people from the community that it became his responsibility to hear their concerns and attempt to try to improve the quality of their lives. This sparked a flame in his mind to research to build a new community for them and this is when the famous name “New Community” was born, because out of the ashes came hope and today he has built everything imaginable from day care to a one-stop shop to educate our families. Monsignor didn’t just look around and see things that needed attention. He took action and made it happen, a man of action and not just words.

Monsignor Linder’s mission of New Community is to help inner city residents improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.

Monsignor Linder, rest in peace. We love you and will continue to carry out your dream.

Newton Richards
NCC Board Member

We mourn the passing of Monsignor Linder, our beloved founder, colleague and friend who successfully led NCC for 50 years. But he would remind us to keep our eyes on the future, expand and uplift the vision of prosperous and inclusive urban communities and make our mission serve as inspirations and demonstrations of what we can accomplish for the future.

Dr. Zachary Yamba
NCC Board Member

Monsignor Linder’s passing is not only a loss for his family and his church but also for the city of Newark and its people. His love and care for the residents of the city are prominently captured in the mission statement of New Community: “To help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.” Monsignor Linder lived this mission statement.

I was privileged to have met Monsignor Linder in 1963 when he was newly assigned to the Queen of Angels Parish in Newark where I would come to worship on Sundays. Even from this early beginning, one could see in Monsignor Linder the social activist and a champion for justice and equity. His 55 years of untiring and unselfish work has, without a doubt, made a difference in the lives of people in Newark and neighboring cities. He will be sorely missed but his vision and legacy will continue to live in our city and in our hearts.

We are blessed and grateful to have known Monsignor William Linder, a man who lived his faith!

Edgar Nemorin
NCC Board Member

I will share two of my fond memories of Monsignor Linder.

1) Fourteen years ago, my father passed away at his residence suddenly. My parents lived in an apartment on the fifth floor where the elevator was broken. When I arrived at their residence after the paramedics confirmed that there was nothing they could do, my first call was to Monsignor Linder. Monsignor Linder, at the age of 68, arrived and went up five flights of stairs to give my father the last blessing. He and Madge Wilson also suggested funeral homes to contact. My family was very grateful.

2) I had the pleasure and joy of Monsignor Linder to be the officiant at my wedding in Long Island. For my daughter’s baptism, Monsignor agreed to do a reenactment of the baptism for my church family at St. Rose because the official baptism was held in my Long Island parish. Therefore, I brought all my Long Island family to St. Rose, and my daughter had her baptismal clothing to receive a special blessing.

We are all disciples of Monsignor Linder. To honor his legacy, I ask that we unconditionally volunteer, donate your time, God-given talent and treasure to help others.

Barry Baker
NCC Board Member

I first met Monsignor when he was pastor at St. Rose of Lima. I had just gotten out of the military and I was looking for a parish to go to. And I ended up going to St. Rose of Lima. He was really nice, he was very welcoming and all of that. I was there for about six months when I read an article in New Jersey Magazine about him. I’m sitting there and I was almost stunned. I had been going to mass for six months and I hadn’t known anything about his activism. I knew about New Community but I didn’t know about his own personal activism. After mass we used to have this gathering downstairs in the church. I ended up talking to him about his activism. And one of the things that he consistently talked about during that day and subsequent years afterwards was that sometimes you’ve got to give truth to power, particularly with advocacy for the poor, because there’s nobody else who does that.

I remember he was talking about how he actually had protest against the archbishop of the Archdiocese. He told me, “He did not care about the poor. And if we don’t do that, then I’m sorry, I have to speak about it, I have to say something about it.”

If you’re not advocating for the people who can’t advocate for themselves, then why are you here? Why am I here? That was an overarching theme for his whole time at New Community. There were some times where he would get into conflicts and issues with city officials. If they’re not standing up for the most vulnerable in our community, then we have to call them out for it. And that included mayors, council persons, congresspeople. It did not matter. His thing was, “I have to advocate for the people who can’t advocate for themselves.”

And one of the other things he always said: “Your enemies define you in some ways much more than your friends.” There are people you’re supposed to have conflict with. If they’re not standing up for the people, then why don’t you have conflict?

It’s not easy to stand up to people who have more authority or perceived power in the political structure. He was the kind of person that would do this in a way that was very courageous. He made you stronger. If there was a righteous fight to have, he was always saying, “It’s OK. You’ll get some backlash. You’re always going to get some backlash. At the end of the day the righteous will always win out.” And it did.

With his passing, of course we’re all going to miss him and we want him to be here, but for 50 years he gave us the blueprint. We don’t have an excuse to not do what is right. Our leader taught us that.

Migdalia Martinez
NCC Board Member

Father Linder and I first met when he was chosen to be the priest at St. Rose of Lima in 1977.

Father Linder was an extraordinary person. He lived his life helping people in need, a true servant of God.

There are so many accomplishments I can mention, but I think Father Linder would want to be remembered as a kind, compassionate, humanitarian activist who was always there for his congregation and community.

Father Linder has entrusted his nephew, Rich, who no doubt will continue to do Father Linder’s amazing work.

Kathy Spivey
NCC Chief of Staff

As I reflect on my more than 28 years of sharing with Monsignor, the one consistent theme that comes to mind is the importance of serving the less fortunate. His whole life’s history was centered around meeting the needs of others from infancy through the golden years. His commitment to service began in his early years while preparing to become a priest.

I met Monsignor at a State Employment Training Commission (SETC) meeting at Rutgers University in Piscataway. Little did we know that meeting would turn into a 28-year relationship. Riding together to SETC meetings we talked about the NCC mission, the first housing project after the riots (Homes Court) and the many projects to follow. Monsignor was convinced that housing alone did not address all the basic needs of inner city residents. They also lacked education, job training, employment opportunities, day care and other basics that one needs to have a sound existence in the community. Recognizing those needs, Monsignor sought to create an organization that would address them all.

He believed that youth and education was paramount. Starting with his first CYO group, he began to ensure that youth received a quality education through St. Rose of Lima Elementary School and the Monsignor Linder Scholarship Fund which provided scholarships to quality Catholic high schools. He believed that if given a sound foundation in elementary and high school, college and the funds needed would be easily attainable. As a result of his commitment to youth and education, there are hundreds of testimonials of the successes of the recipients!

I truly believe Monsignor’s inspiration came in the middle of the night because over morning coffee he would share ideas for new projects that would address another need in the community. Harmony House was one of those ideas. He felt homeless families needed stable transitional housing rather than shelters that stripped individuals of their dignity.

Monsignor felt it was critical that we never lose sight of “our mission, our purpose” and had mission statements posted throughout the network as a constant reminder of why we are here. In addition, he created the Director of Mission position to keep us properly focused on the goals and not the obstacles. If there was a need, Monsignor never let the lack of money stop him. He knew if our purpose was right we could accomplish any goal.

In his later years, Monsignor couldn’t continue his rigorous schedule but he did not believe in retirement. When asked when he would retire, Monsignor would respond “when all the needs are met” knowing all the needs would never be met. Using the power of the pen, he crafted Clarion editorials that addressed local and world issues of injustice. In one of our last conversations, he discussed our country’s appalling policy of separating immigrant children from their parents and was planning to write his next editorial on that dire situation. While we will never read his thoughts on that topic, we know he would be on the side of the weeping parents and children looking for a safe place to call home.

Monsignor lived a life of service that was grounded in the prayer of Saint Francis which was collectively recited at all NCC meetings and gatherings. As we honor his legacy we must continue to serve and pray. “Lord make me an instrument…”

Diane Johnson
Retired HUD Field Office Director

I’ve known Monsignor for a good portion of 30 years. As a director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, I worked extensively with him in developing his housing, his senior citizen buildings, his family developments and his Extended Care Facility. He was a legend in his own way. Monsignor was a people’s priest. He heard their cry, he heard their needs and he was determined to be of assistance to carry out those scriptures that talked about feeding the hungry and clothing the naked and housing those that needed housing. Monsignor transitioned the Central Ward and improved the quality of life for many residents. He dealt with the whole person, providing health care, workforce training and housing. It was just not bricks and mortar to him but it was to deal with the full complement of the person. His legend will live on forever. Newark not only lost a visionary, but they also lost a great friend. I too lost a friend.

Rosemary Eibell
Monsignor Linder’s Aunt

He always considered that New Community was his number one family and that we were number two. He always said that. But he was always there for us when we needed him. When I had my heart attack, he was there. I was in the hospital and all of a sudden this man was standing at the door. And it’s him. That’s the type of person that he was.

We spent a lot of time together when he was the pastor of St. Rose. We used to come up and spend Thanksgiving at the Priory. And then his sister and his brother-in-law and I would stay overnight. We would have time to talk to him. He would tell us some of the things he was doing, where he was traveling and so forth. But he was also interested in what we were doing. And then the next morning he would say mass downstairs and then we would come up and have coffee and bagels and juice. And then we would go to his favorite restaurant and we would have dinner there. Madge would join us. And then we would go home. And it went on for many, many years until he retired as pastor.

My sister, his mother, was the oldest of the nine of us. I spent a lot of time with them. I traveled a lot with them. Because my mother died when I was 16 and that was sort of like a second home to me. So it was just a loving relationship with them. And they were always there.

Just recently, within the last couple of years, he landed in the hospital. The phone rang and it was him. I asked him, “How are you doing?” He said, “I’m in the hospital.” I never knew when he was going to call. We kept in touch with one another. His passing leaves a void.

Regina Adesanya
Member of Queen of Angels Youth Group

I still remember his first day in Newark when I was an impressionable 14-year-old, wondering who is this man joining the others digging the ditch. I knew then he would play a significant part in my life. From encouraging me and other youth to go to college, to that fateful phone call that started my career with Babyland Nursery and ultimately New Community Corporation as its first Education Director, Monsignor has influenced who I am as a person and how my career has gone. He always taught us the importance of “faith” and that “faith without works is useless.” I believe without his example, I would not believe so strongly that we are servants and as a servant, we must act with the humility by giving selflessly of ourselves to better the lives of others. My road has been to work within the field of early childhood education but I doubt this would have been my path without Monsignor playing a role in my life.

Rev. Frances Teabout
NCC Director of Mission

“The collar doesn’t make the priest, the priest makes the collar.”

Working in the St. Rose rectory I was privy to many conversations between Monsignor and Kathy, his Chief of Staff. A frequent discussion was what Monsignor would wear to an impending meeting. On many occasions Kathy, in her very diplomatic way would say, “You’re wearing your blacks, right?” She was referring to the black pants, black shirt and white clerical collar that once donned would declare to everyone that William Linder was a priest, a servant of the Lord. But what the collar could not reveal was the heart of the man who introduced himself as Bill despite his many honorifics. Monsignor had an earned doctorate from Fordham University, was the recipient of 10 honorary doctorates, the MacArthur Genius Award and many other honors, but these were not the things he was most proud of. The NCC LPN program that graduated hundreds of students; the countless youth who benefited from his scholarship program and went on to college; the NCC Early Learning Centers that provide affordable, quality care and education for young children while their parents work; and the first extended care facility in Newark to serve Medicaid patients — these were some of the things that were most gratifying to Monsignor.

On most occasions Monsignor gave in to Kathy’s wisdom and wore his “blacks” to important meetings but some of his most significant work was done in everyday clothes. Day after day in his khaki pants and plaid button up shirts, Monsignor listened to people’s problems, solved crises and fought many political battles on behalf of the disempowered. Whether wearing a collared shirt or a flowered shirt, Monsignor had the same priority — changing people’s lives for the better. When I was young in ministry, Monsignor taught me how to put on my clerical collar but most importantly, he showed me how to live when I take it off.

Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins
Former Central Ward Councilwoman

One of my fondest memories of Monsignor Linder was watching him work hand in hand with my father, Joe Chaneyfield, and community leaders to bring the first new supermarket in 25-plus years to the Central Ward with the opening of Pathmark, creating thousands of jobs and helping to stabilize our community.

The most important thing I learned from Monsignor was his ability to empower people. Empower people through jobs, empower people through faith and giving them the courage to transcend their present conditions. This has become the cornerstone of what I believe and what I truly believe New Community is about.

He will truly be missed.

Billie Jean Easley-Suggs

Monsignor Linder was a true leader within this community and a great example of compassion, faith and selfless humanity. He gave of himself to God and whomever had a need. And one of his greatest gifts to me was his belief in something that I hadn’t even fully realized in myself. He provided me with an opportunity to truly execute and realize my creative talents. He reassured my vision for the remodeling of the Priory and New Community’s nursing home and gave me support every step of the way. He touched my family and has truly been an unforgettable figure within our lives.

There are moments that I will always hold dear in memory. Monsignor Linder has gone home now, led by the faith that guided his steps every day. He leaves behind a light and legacy of hope and love for all those that are still with us today and we will continue on in that same love and dedication to others.

May God bless Monsignor and stand with him as he enjoys eternal peace with our Lord and Savior.

Cecilia M. Faulks
NCC’s First Full-Time Employee

I met Monsignor Linder in 1968 when I was in need of some spiritual advice and my sister Mary, who was a member of the CYO at Queen of Angels Parish, suggested I speak to him. With his guidance, I resolved my issues. Shortly thereafter, I changed parishes and joined Queen of Angels, where all of my family attended.

By January 1969, Monsignor hired me to become secretary to Lewis Roland whom he hired the previous September to become principal of Queen of Angels School, making history as the first male, lay black principal of a parochial school in New Jersey.

During this same period, he was also spearheading the beginning of New Community Corporation. My duties not only included secretarial work for Mr. Roland, but work for New Community also. In 1973, when Monsignor Linder secured a grant from Victoria Foundation to open an office for New Community, he offered me the job of secretary. Being secretary and the only employee meant you did everything that needed to be done in a construction office. Hence, him encouraging me to attend Seton Hall University where I studied accounting and later attending Upsala College and receiving certification in Human Resources Administration.

There are many other instances I can recall of how he impacted my life, particularly about service to others. He always stressed that New Community is a service organization.

I thank him for the lessons of service and being a friend to my entire Moses Family from the beginning of his priesthood life.

Anna Sing-King
NCC Human Resources Manager

After the 45th Anniversary Gala, the next day when we had breakfast, my husband and I went downstairs and Monsignor was sitting there. And I was scared to go over. But my husband went over and he started talking. Monsignor really made us feel comfortable. He talked to us. He talked about my daughter, how great my daughter was. Monsignor being who he is but still made us feel comfortable.

One year during the Spring Festival, somebody fell or got hurt. My first reaction was to get up and go see what was going on and try to help. Monsignor said, “No, you’re not at work. Sit down, enjoy yourself.”

Another memory that comes to mind was at an Employee Recognition Ceremony. Some of the employees have long names that can be hard to pronounce. So I was at the podium giving out the plaques and of course you have to say their names. I could not pronounce their names. I was so embarrassed. I don’t remember the exact words that Monsignor said, but he looked at me and was basically like, “It’s OK because we can’t say them either.”

I think Monsignor set a good legacy. He helped a whole lot of people, probably people he didn’t even realize that he helped. I’m grateful for him having that vision.

Pat Foley
Original Editor of The Clarion

I went to Father Linder and I said, “I think we better have a newspaper.” He said, “Oh, what a good idea.” He said, “Give me some names. I don’t know what we would call this.” I gave him three names, one of which was the New Community Clarion. There were two others and God only knows what they were because I never can remember them. The Clarion was the big trumpet that goes through the medieval times that brings the good news of the world. And that’s why I chose it. So then I put the three of them in front of Father and I said, “What do you think?” He said, “Oh I like that Clarion one.” I said, “I do too.” So that’s when the New Community Clarion began. The good news of the world from medieval times became the good news in New Community.

Father Linder always had his eye out for the goodness of what was happening down in Newark. He always looked for the good news down there and he certainly got it right until the very end. It became much more than a little thing in Newark. It really encompassed the whole world. Father Linder was just such a wonderful person. I miss him already. We did good things together.

Ras Baraka
Mayor of Newark

Monsignor Linder was a man who stood by and advocated for Newark during some of the most painful hours of our city’s existence, during and after the 1967 rebellion. When others dismissed or abandoned Newark, he rolled up his sleeves and went to work in Newark, creating the New Community Corporation. Over the past 50 years, NCC has become one of the nation’s largest, most comprehensive community development corporations in the United States, offering an incredible array of vital services, ranging from affordable housing to workforce training to self-sufficiency programs to English as a Second Language classes, all of which have been nationally recognized.

Monsignor Linder’s legacy stands firm in the works of the New Community Corporation and the many people he helped. All of Newark is grateful to him for his love of our city and commitment to it for the past five decades.

Ramona Galley
New Community Workforce Development Center Registrar

I met Monsignor at St. Rose of Lima Church where he was the pastor. I just moved here with my infant daughter. I was going through some tough times when I started attending St. Rose of Lima. I didn’t talk to Monsignor about anything that was going on with me, but for some reason he saw a need and asked how he could help. Monsignor didn’t only preach the Gospel but he lived the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was always looking to lift people up; to help them become their very best. He was the definition of the “Good Samaritan” — kind and very humble. When you are willing to walk one mile, Monsignor will walk two extra miles with you. He never gave up on people.

I went to say hello to him a few days before he passed. He looked a little tired that day, but still he asked if everything was OK and if there was anything he could do. I said, “No, I just wanted to say hello.” He sees beyond what you see in yourself. He believed in people. We will miss him a lot.

Father Beatus Kitururu
Excerpts from Homily delivered June 14, 2018 at St. Rose of Lima

His call was now to bring light where there is darkness; peace where there is violence; love where there is hate; respect where there is contempt; compassion where there is selfishness and greed; inclusion where there is segregation and discrimination.

Monsignor Linder understood very well that there is a lot of pain in the human heart. But he also understood that as long as one believes in the resurrection of Christ, there is no pain that cannot be healed.

Those who knew well Monsignor Linder realized that he never gave up on anybody. He stood to the end by those who needed the love of God even when some cheated him or betrayed him or spoke ill of him.

Veronica Onwunaka
Extended Care Administrator and NCC Director of Health and Social Services

Monsignor William Linder — A GREAT MAN

In my mind, Monsignor Linder was not just a God sent but earthly redeemer. His teachings through the way he lived, acted, spoke and encouraged others to emulate, is what made him a saint. He believed in helping the poor, the oppressed, the voiceless and even the rich. Anyone who came in contact with Monsignor would leave with the spirit of wholeness no matter what your troubles might have been. I will forever remain grateful for him making me a better human being and hope and pray that God will continue to give me the grace to carry out all that he taught me. He will be greatly missed.

Father Philip Waters
Excerpts from Homily delivered June 16, 2018 at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

It was clear from the very beginning that Bill Linder was a priest who was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty.

In his work as a priest, he preached the word, but more important, he lived the word. No matter how dirty his hands got, he confronted those forces both in the city and even in the church which worked against the dignity not only of his beloved parishioners, but of all the residents in the city.

Today we bid farewell to a community organizer, a role model, a pastor, but most of all, a friend. We ask not what he leaves behind, but what we will take with  us.

Many other efforts in the city were built on sand, but his were built on the rock of faith which stood against all the storms that blew against them. Many other programs have been blown away. NCC endures. But this man who was willing to walk with poor and the disenfranchised built a legacy which will last as long as the people of Faith are willing to grasp his vision.

He was truly a visionary and a prophet — a good faithful priest — and someone who was willing to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty.

Sammy, Helen, Sibonai and Mesgana Gebreyesus

Father Linder, thank you for sharing your faith, grace, strength, kindness, passion, vision, example, charity, humility, compassion, humor and unconditional love.

We admired you for being graceful, generous, gifted and courageous. You were a gift from God, always there to lend a helpful hand to others in need, special, kind, caring and loving for all of us. Father Linder had a huge heart of gold that was full of love. Father Linder, we are grateful for all of your support and for creating an environment of mutual trust, respect and friendship.

We had the pleasure of entertaining you in our house on holidays or beautiful summer days for the last 20 years it was a blessing. Thank you for the kindness you have shown our family and being a part of our family. You were a very special person. No one can replace you. You inspired us in many ways. Your legacy will never be forgotten. Rest in Eternal Peace.

Monsignor Ed Bradley
Minister to Retired Priests

Monsignor Linder struck me as a dedicated, loving priest with a positive mind, determined will and open heart. As I looked at the information in his file, I was astounded by the number of awards and other recognitions that were bestowed upon him for his work with New Community Corporation. These came from religious and civil organizations and from national and international groups. Yet, with all this attention and adulation, he always remained focused on “helping residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.” There is a saying from St. Teresa of Avila: Bloom where you are planted. Monsignor Linder was planted in Newark from the time of his assignment at Queen of Angels Parish when he was first ordained. How wonderfully he used his God-given gifts — not only did he bloom but so did the people and the city of Newark.

Joann Williams-Swiney
NCC Family Resource Success Center Director

Monsignor Linder was an angel given to the city of Newark, N.J. We were blessed to have him in our lives and community.

Monsignor was a man of compassion, strength, fortitude; he was a great visionary with a love for the community and those who were less fortunate whom he served for most of his life. He was stern but humble and very approachable; and always made himself available to hear the concern of others.

He was a constant thinker of how he could do more to serve. Magis is a Jesuit principle I keep taped to my computer on a small piece of paper to remember in my daily work and life. Magis, which means an individual restless desire to do more, think bigger and work harder for the greater glory of God. Monsignor was the example of what Magis stands for.

I will serve the community always keeping Monsignor and his vision in mind. The Resource Center was one of Monsignor’s many visions. He wanted a place where people could come to receive the help that they needed and be treated with dignity and respect. I was fortunate enough to work for Monsignor’s mission and see many of his visions become a reality.

He believed in people having an opportunity to excel in their lives. He had faith in people and their potential for growth and his vision for them very rarely failed to come to fruition. I was fortunate enough to be in his midst.

He gave me the inspiration to be at my highest and best self. Over the years and every time I met with him I was struck by both the force of his personality and the quality of his intellect.

His passion shone through in everything he did. I, like so many others, will miss seeing him around NCC, but his presence remains all throughout the community.

Ali Jenkins
NCC Transportation

When I first started working with him, he was a priest and I was a regular driver. I didn’t know how to interact with him so I would just be quiet. As the years went on, we got to talking and getting to know one another. I used to ask him about how he first started putting New Community together. And I asked about all the different things that went on in Newark. He told me because he was in the middle of it.

I miss him. I spent the past 14 years with him. I used to do a lot with him. He was basically like family to me because we did a lot of family stuff together, like taking him to Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. I’m going to miss that. Because I really loved traveling with him. I’m still feeling the loss.

Ronda Lawrence
NCC Environmental Services Project Manager

When I met Monsignor, I was 12 years old. At the time, he was our priest and would counsel me. While counseling me, I was in the choir for him and I was a lector. My brother was an alter server and my mom was also very active in the church. He performed my graduation from St. Rose. I was a recipient of the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship, getting a full scholarship to attend Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair.

And from there, he married me. He baptized three out of my four children. He gave two out of my four kids their first communion. And he gave my oldest her confirmation.

Through all of this, I knew nothing of New Community. He was just my priest.

And then I got a call from him asking me to work with him. I felt as though he knew that I was responsible enough for him to bring me into something that I didn’t even know existed and something that was so dear to him. That was the best out of anything. Because when I started working here, I realized how much he had accomplished. So knowing that he trusted me to come and be a part of something he established, that was the best feeling. And it still is.

Because of all he has done, it really made me feel like I owe it to him to give this place everything that I have because he made it all possible for me.

Shanell Sing
Teacher’s Assistant for NCC Early Learning Centers

“This Little Light of Mine” was one of the first songs that I learned attending St. Rose of Lima. As a young child I did not really understand what that song meant until I became older and able to work with Monsignor Linder. He allowed God to use him in so many ways to help others, my family and myself. Monsignor’s teachings and life experiences became a little light of mine. He not only talked about hope, love and faith but he walked the walk. To me Monsignor was a great and wonderful understanding man. It was my honor to be a part of his life and my honor to continue his legacy.

Andrew Solomon
NCC Environmental Services, St. Joseph Plaza

Monsignor was a very good friend to me, my wife Gillian and my son Ishmael. He put my son through Babyland, St. Rose of Lima and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, where he paid my son’s school fees through the Monsignor William J. Linder Scholarship. My son went on to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. He finished his college degree and master’s degree. He is now the assistant director of residence life and multicultural student life at Saint Vincent College.

I’ve been with Monsignor Linder for 22 years. Over the years he and I have become very close friends. He had a great sense of humor. He was a very nice person. He cared about people. He was great to the people.

Martha Eleta-Iluonokhalumhe

An anonymous moralist once affirmed “the human mind is like a jug, no mortal can look into its recesses and you can only judge of its purity by what comes out of it.” As mortals, none of us, including the closest associates of Monsignor William Linder, could access his mind to decipher its purity or otherwise, but God in his infinite goodness had endeared Monsignor Linder with profound positive outward signs which in no doubt pointed to his inward grace.

Meeting him as a young mother became a life changing experience for my family and me. He became not only my spiritual leader but also my therapist, guidance counselor and a father figure. He listened to my numerous personal problems and counseled me, making me feel like I had no issues at the end. After every session with him I felt a huge sigh of relief.

He was a generous giver, he gave without any expectations. My children received scholarships from his scholarship fund which enabled them to receive quality education. My son graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. My daughter will be graduating in December and heading to medical school, Another child is currently attending Saint Vincent Academy with the assistance of Monsignor’s scholarship fund.

You gave me one last surprise when you showed up for a mass in memory of my late father in September of 2017; it reaffirmed the selfless person you were.

He was a humble and generous man of God and he had a great sense of humor. There will never be another Monsignor Linder. He was one of a kind.

Thank you for all that you did for my family. We will forever miss you. I will live life like you taught me so I will see you again someday. You are now an angel watching over us from above.

Rest in peace Monsignor, till we meet to part no more.

Tracey Battles
NCC Philanthropy Officer

I remember my mother would always talk about Monsignor Linder. He was responsible for converting my mother to Catholicism in 1975. My parents were a young couple and they came to talk to Monsignor about raising two young sons in the faith and Monsignor gladly baptized my brother and me in 1976.

Throughout the years, I kept in contact with Monsignor at different events and he would always tease me about working for the Archdiocese of Newark. “You need a real challenge!” He would always say. So in 2006, I answered the New Community challenge and I had the honor of working with Monsignor for 12 years. I will always remember his sharp memories and how he could recall events and the “story behind the actual story!” I remember when he taught at Columbia University, we would make an annual trek to talk about our department. When we would discuss our role at New Community with the students, I always remember Monsignor would discourage notes; he wanted us to know our job and speak of it from the heart and mind. I always felt challenged by him and no matter how well an event went, he would always ask me, “What can be done to improve the event for the following year?” He would always ask about my children and my own health. I will never forget that.

I will always be grateful to Monsignor and I will work to do my part to continue his legacy.

Gilda Rogers
Co-Author of “Out of the Ashes Came Hope”

I think we too often toss around the word “privilege” and “honor,” without really giving much thought to the gravity of these words. For me, it was a privilege to meet with Monsignor William J. Linder, and for over two years, to work with him on his memoir: “Out of the Ashes Came Hope,” which turned out to be a valuable learning experience. I had a reserved seat into the life of a self-actualized human being, who put the needs of others first. What better honor, as a writer, than to go on this journey with Monsignor as he discussed his covenant with God and his commitment to serve and illuminate the best of what humanity offers, and that is LOVE. There were hills and valleys, roadblocks and bumpy roads, but the mission was clear: To help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.

From a young boy, it was innate for him to help others. And born from that was a courageous spirit that defied the odds to make a difference.

There’s a humorous passage in the book, when the Linder Family is visiting with Great Aunt Agnes in Saratoga, N.Y., where little Billy is told by his Aunt what it means to be brave:

“Billy boy,” she would say, while squeezing my cheeks to make her point, “you get nothing out of life being scared.” With vivid imagery she fostered in me early on a sense of resolve and fearlessness. “Or you’ll wind up sleeping on a bed of nails and unhappy for the rest of your days,” she quipped. Well I didn’t want to sleep on a bed of nails for the rest of my life, so I chose to be brave no matter what.

We all should be so brave.

Zoraya E. Lee-Hamlin
President/CEO of RayZo Marketing

My favorite memory of Monsignor was when we had a discussion about him documenting his life’s story and all the things that he had done. Monsignor was very modest and didn’t like the idea of touting his accomplishments, not in the least bit. In fact several people had asked him to write a book and he refused. He was such a fierce warrior and advocate for those less fortunate and he didn’t think any of that deserved any kind of praise. People should just do the right thing, from a place of love, as he reminded us all when he spoke at the ribbon cutting for A Better Life, the homeless housing services building. We talked about how approaching things from a selfless point of view is important for all of us to learn and how important it was to have something documenting his life’s work, like his memoirs, because it would eventually become part of the historical archives of Newark, the city he loved so much. With that he agreed.

Alexandra Solano
NCC Accounts Payable Analyst

The world lost a great man in Monsignor Linder. He’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. If anyone ever had a problem and needed someone to talk to, his door was always open. He always strived for people to do better. He was always willing to help in any way he could to make the community better. A perfect example of his willingness to help someone improve their lives, he provided me the opportunity to send my daughter to a highly respected Catholic school and I will always be thankful for that; and in his memory, we will continue in his work.

Angela Potts
NCC New Start Program Manager

It began with a buzz in the air that a baby was found in the neighborhood by a dumpster, and as expected the community was heartbroken to hear the news. I received a call a few days later that Monsignor Linder was requesting a meeting with me. My mind began to race, playing the meeting over in my head several times before the actual meeting. I began to ask others close to him questions as to why he wanted to meet with me. No one had any answers for me. Being the woman of faith that I am, I prayed and waited for the appointed time.

While waiting for the meeting to begin, it felt like a lifetime. In rolls Monsignor Linder in a wheelchair to the meeting appearing a little tired but very much alert. The meeting began with me asking how he was doing and he wanted to know how I was doing. He wanted me to know that New Start, which is a baby program for at-risk moms, which is an affiliate of Family Service Bureau, had his full support. He wanted to know first-hand if we had what was needed to assist those who crossed our paths, and to be sure that they knew we are there for them. He said, “No mother should have to make the decision that mother made” to leave the child at a dumpster. With a heavy heart we concluded that we are capable of being the change agent for those who cross our paths or simply a ray of hope. I assured him that we seek to do that with every young woman that we encounter on a daily basis.

While I was gathering my things preparing to leave the meeting, he called my name, and as I looked up at him, he said to me, “Thank you Ms. Potts for all that you do!” As I reflect on the memory of that meeting with Monsignor, I pause a minute to look up and say, “Thank you Monsignor for all that you have done.”