AvalonBay Volunteers Beautify Paterson and Give Back to the Community

Watch our video short of AvalonBay's volunteer day

View our photo album of the AvalonBay team in action

On a crisp autumn morning, dozens of volunteers from AvalonBay Communities arrived in Paterson with a simple mission: to give back to the neighborhoods that need it most. Armed with paintbrushes, work gloves, and a spirit of service, they spent the day transforming three NJCDC sites through the company's annual Spirit of Caring initiative.

A Decade of Partnership

The day began at NJCDC’s Great Falls Youth Center, where volunteers were welcomed by NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci. He thanked the group for their long-standing commitment to Paterson, noting that AvalonBay has returned to volunteer with NJCDC nearly every year for over a decade.

“Thank you to each and every one of you for being here and for the work that you're about to do today,” Guarasci told the assembled volunteers. “We serve 4,000 children and families here in Paterson, and we couldn't do it without good people like you who offer your time and heart. We really love having AvalonBay as part of our NJCDC family.”

Rolling Up Sleeves Across the City

After the morning kickoff, volunteers fanned out across the city to tackle projects at three locations.

At our Great Falls Youth Center, volunteers spent the day sanding, painting, and sealing wooden benches; building and staining new planter boxes; planting flowers; and clearing litter and overgrown brush from the surrounding grounds. The transformation was immediate — what had been weathered and overgrown became bright and welcoming. It’s a space that deeply matters: hundreds of children attend youth arts classes, summer camp, and recreational programming there each year.

Just blocks away, another group headed to Spruce Terrace Apartments, one of NJCDC’s affordable and supportive housing communities. Volunteers power-washed exterior walls and railings, painted and cleaned indoor common areas, and landscaped the courtyard, trimming shrubs and adding fresh mulch and flowers. The refreshed space now offers a cleaner, more vibrant environment for residents — many of whom stopped to thank the volunteers as they worked.

A third team made its way to William Carlos Williams Plaza, where volunteers raked leaves, trimmed grass, repainted benches and planters, and added colorful flowers throughout the plaza. Located just steps from NJCDC headquarters, the plaza serves as a public gathering spot for neighbors, families, and students walking to and from nearby schools.

By day’s end, all three sites had been transformed. Fresh paint, greenery, and care had turned each location into a space the community could be proud of.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

AvalonBay’s Tri-County Operations Manager, Meghan Hayes, said the company’s partnership with NJCDC is deeply meaningful. “We’re very big on philanthropy and giving back to the community,” she said. “One of the most important ways we can build thriving communities is by focusing on those that are often overlooked or need our support. NJCDC’s work aligns with our values, and we’ll continue to come to Paterson as long as we’re needed. We love giving back and being part of NJCDC’s mission.”

The collaboration has deep roots. Daniel Cobar, AvalonBay’s Director of Operating Initiatives, is a proud Paterson native whose own story began with NJCDC. As a student at Garrett Morgan Academy — a school founded by NJCDC to make STEM education more accessible — Cobar developed a passion for engineering and design. He later joined the inaugural class of the Paterson Youth Council, returned after college as an NJCDC AmeriCorps member, and went on to build a thriving career with AvalonBay. His journey embodies what's possible when communities invest in their young people.

Carrying the Spirit of Caring Forward

Through Spirit of Caring, AvalonBay encourages associates nationwide to dedicate their time and energy to nonprofits and local causes. In 2024, 55 percent of AvalonBay associates volunteered, contributing more than 90,000 hours of community service. The company’s growing portfolio includes more than 3,600 affordable homes across the country — a reflection of its belief that building communities extends beyond housing.

As volunteers gathered at the Youth Center to reflect on the day’s work, the impact was visible all around them. Fresh paint gleamed in the afternoon sun. New flowers added color to once-bare planters. Benches that had been weathered and worn now invited people to sit and stay awhile.

“Partnerships like this show what's possible when people and organizations come together for a shared purpose,” Bob said. “We're grateful to AvalonBay for their long-standing commitment to Paterson — and for continuing to help us build brighter futures.”