More Than 1,000 Neighbors Celebrate Community at NJCDC’s 12th Annual Block Party

View the Flickr photo album from our 12th Annual Block Party

On Saturday, October 10th, more than 1,000 Paterson residents gathered for NJCDC’s 12th Annual Neighborhood Block Party, turning a beautiful early autumn afternoon into a lively celebration of neighborhood pride.

Now in its twelfth year, NJCDC’s largest community celebration has become a beloved annual tradition, bringing together families, friends, local organizations, and community leaders for an afternoon of free entertainment, activities, and connection. From children enjoying carnival games and inflatable attractions to neighbors and elected officials dancing together, the day offered something for everyone — and reflected the strong sense of community that NJCDC works to foster throughout the year.

Music, Games, and Fun for All Ages

Children lined up for bouncy castles, carnival games, and face painting, while arts and crafts stations sparked creativity. Guests enjoyed hot dogs, cotton candy, and other treats, while DJ Cito kept the energy high, drawing residents onto the dance floor. Contests, raffles, cash prizes, and giveaways gave families plenty of chances to take home something special.

But beyond the festivities, the Block Party offered something equally meaningful: a chance for neighbors to spend time together, meet new people, and strengthen the relationships that make a neighborhood feel like home.

“For twelve years, this Block Party has brought people together around something we all share — a love for our neighborhood and a belief in its future,” said NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci. “When you see more than a thousand people enjoying themselves, connecting with their neighbors, and learning about opportunities available to their families, it’s a wonderful reminder of what makes this community so special.”

Connecting Families to Support and Opportunity

While the afternoon was filled with fun, the Block Party also connected residents with organizations offering services, programs, and resources across Paterson.

Representatives from NJCDC's programs met with families to share information about available support, including the Neighborhood Help Center, Paterson Financial Empowerment Center, Great Falls Youth Center, NJ4S Passaic County, Paterson Family Center preschool, Community Charter School of Paterson, and AmeriCorps programs. Meanwhile, NJCDC partner Tammy Lugo distributed free dance clothing and shoes donated by Capezio, helping make dance more accessible to local children and families.

Many community partners and local businesses also participated, including Prototype 237, the Health Coalition of Passaic County, New Destiny Family Success Centers, Greater Bergen Community Action, St. Joseph's Health, Passaic County Community College’s Pre-College Programs, New Labor, Cosecha NJ, One Makes a Difference Foundation, Angels Care Community, Abra Dental, Garden Health Advisors, New York Life, and Experior Financial Groups.

Together, these organizations put everything from education and youth development to healthcare, financial guidance, and family support within reach, all in one welcoming setting.

Building Relationships That Last All Year

For our Neighborhood Help Center, the event was another opportunity to strengthen relationships with the families it serves year-round. Over the past two years, the NHC has built an online community connecting more than 1,500 families with information and opportunities through 40 groups covering employment, housing, English-language learning, volunteering, donations, and other key resources.

But for Cristina Tone, NJCDC’s Assistant Director of Community Outreach, the most meaningful measure of success is the trust families place in NJCDC and the personal connections that develop over time.

“What fills my heart is seeing families come together, watching children have fun, and hearing from residents who appreciate what we do,” said Cristina. “One child came up to thank us for our programs. I might only see him once a year, but he remembered us. Moments like that remind me why we do this work. We’ve built something that feels like one big family, and that trust means everything.”

That sense of familiarity was evident throughout the afternoon, as NJCDC staff reconnected with families they know through NJCDC’s schools, youth programs, and neighborhood initiatives.

Local Leaders and Volunteers Show Up for Paterson

The Block Party also welcomed Paterson elected officials and community leaders, reflecting the event’s importance to the broader city. Among those addressing attendees were Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh; City Councilmembers Luis Velez, Ibrahim Omar, and Maritza Davila; Paterson Board of Education President Joel D. Ramirez; and board member Kenneth Rosado.

Behind the scenes, more than 60 volunteers made the celebration possible by setting up, staffing activities, welcoming guests, and cleaning up afterward. Among them were members of NJCDC's Paterson Youth Council and participants from other NJCDC youth programs. Their involvement reflects NJCDC’s commitment to empowering young people not only to participate in their community, but to help shape it.

Celebrating the Community We’re Building Together

As the afternoon wound down, the day’s success went beyond attendance numbers and prizes awarded. It showed in the conversations between neighbors, the excitement of children recognizing familiar NJCDC staff, the connections made between families and service providers, and the volunteers and partners who made the day happen.

For twelve years, NJCDC’s Block Party has given Paterson residents a reason to celebrate their community — and helped strengthen the relationships that continue long after the music stops.

We are grateful to the residents, volunteers, community partners, elected officials, and NJCDC team members who made this year’s celebration a memorable success. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!