Going the Extra Mile: How Gabby Foushee Embodies NJCDC’s Spirit of Service

Each year, the Paterson Alliance Extra Mile Awards recognize nonprofit professionals who consistently go above and beyond in service to the Paterson community — individuals whose dedication, compassion, and commitment leave a lasting impact on the people around them.

This year, NJCDC is proud to count one of our own among the honorees: Gabby Foushee, Coordinator of NJCDC’s Paterson Community Schools Corps AmeriCorps program, was named a 2026 honoree.

Held on Friday, May 15 at The Brownstone, the annual awards luncheon brought together nonprofit leaders, community advocates, educators, elected officials, and residents to celebrate the people who show up for Paterson day after day with heart and purpose. Assemblyman Kenyatta Stewart delivered the keynote address, while students from NJCDC’s Paterson Music Project energized the room with a performance of their original composition, “Life in the Silk City” — a moving showcase of youth creativity and expression rooted in the experiences of Paterson residents.

Leading by Example

For those who know Gabby, the recognition came as no surprise.

A former AmeriCorps member herself, Gabby has spent more than five years guiding and growing NJCDC’s AmeriCorps programming with positivity, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving Paterson students and families. Each year, she manages and mentors approximately 20 AmeriCorps members, shaping a culture of service that reaches schools, neighborhoods, and families across the city.

Under Gabby’s leadership, NJCDC AmeriCorps’ annual toy drive has continued to expand year after year. In 2025 alone, the initiative collected and distributed new toys to more than 1,600 Paterson children during the holiday season. Beyond the toy drive, Gabby and her team connect residents with school supplies, clothing, food, and resources for families experiencing homelessness throughout the year.

“Gabby leads with genuine care for people, and that kind of leadership has a ripple effect,” said NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci. “Our AmeriCorps members follow her example because they see someone who approaches every challenge with compassion, positivity, and an unwavering commitment to Paterson’s young people. She has helped build an AmeriCorps program that has become an important presence in our schools and neighborhoods, and this recognition is incredibly well deserved.”

For Gabby, the award reflects the collective efforts of the AmeriCorps members, students, and community partners who make the work possible.

“One of the most meaningful parts of this work is seeing how much people genuinely want to show up for their community,” said Gabby. “Our AmeriCorps members care deeply about the students and families they serve, and I feel very lucky to work alongside people who bring so much heart, energy, and commitment into Paterson every single day. This recognition means a lot to me because it reflects the impact of all of us working together.”

A Citywide Day of Service

That spirit of service was on full display the following day during NJCDC’s AmeriCorps Global Youth Service Day celebration, held in partnership with students, youth programs, and volunteers from across Paterson.

On May 16, approximately 120 youth volunteers gathered at NJCDC’s Community Charter School of Paterson before dispersing to beautification and service sites throughout the Great Falls Neighborhood. The largest group revitalized our William Carlos Williams Plaza — one of the gateways to the neighborhood — by clearing garbage and debris, removing weeds, and completing landscaping and planting projects that will directly benefit local students who use the space for outdoor learning and recreation. Other volunteer groups cleaned areas surrounding the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, collecting more than 160 bags of trash throughout the day.

After lunch, volunteers reconvened to assemble “student success kits” filled with supplies and resources for Paterson students preparing to transition from fourth grade into middle school this fall.

The day brought together volunteers and participants from a wide range of programs and institutions: NJCDC’s Community Schools Corps and Public Health Corps AmeriCorps programs; our Paterson Youth Council; our Great Falls Teen Center at International High School; our Great Falls Youth Center; our 21st Century Compete for Life program at JFK High School; and students from Paterson Arts and Science Charter School, Passaic County Technical Institute, and Joseph A. Taub Middle School.

From supporting students in schools, to organizing resources for families, to mobilizing large-scale volunteer efforts across the city, the work of NJCDC’s AmeriCorps program continues to leave a meaningful mark on Paterson. And through it all, leaders like Gabby Foushee ensure that spirit of service continues to grow with each new generation of volunteers.