NJCDC’s 10th Annual Casino Night Raises Funds for Paterson Youth

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On Friday, March 21st, NJCDC hosted our 10th Annual Casino Night at The Brownstone in Paterson — an evening filled with excitement, generosity, and hope for the future. Casino Night directly supports NJCDC’s mission of preparing Paterson students for college success. Thanks to our supporters, we raised funds to support scholarships, campus tours (including our signature Ivy League Tour), college fairs, and other critical college readiness initiatives.

The night kicked off with a lively cocktail hour before guests eagerly took their seats at the gaming tables, trying their luck at blackjack, craps, and roulette. Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed dinner and a dessert buffet, captured memories at the photo booth, and danced to music spun by DJ Cito.

As the games wrapped up, guests traded their chip winnings for raffle tickets, hoping to win one of many exciting prizes generously donated by local businesses and supporters. While only some walked away with prizes, everyone left a winner — knowing their participation helped change lives.

“Our goal has always been to ensure that Paterson students not only get into college but thrive once they’re there,” said NJCDC’s Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci. “The funds raised tonight will make a real difference — providing scholarships, campus visits, and the support our students need to compete with the best and brightest. Because we know one thing for sure: Paterson’s young people have the talent and determination to succeed anywhere.”

NJCDC’s college readiness programming has already yielded incredible results. Last year alone, our students earned acceptance letters from prestigious institutions such as Dartmouth College, Wesleyan University, the University of Miami, Northeastern University, Rutgers University, Montclair State University, and St. Peter’s University, among others. This year, students in our programs have already received offers from Drake University, Felician University, Seton Hall University, The College of New Jersey, and University of Massachusetts Amherst, among many others. While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we know that none of this would be possible without the generous support of our funders and partners.