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Students, Staff Participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Activities in Jersey City and Newark

William Paterson students and staff volunteered at public schools in Jersey City and Newark as part of the nationwide Martin Luther King Day of Service on January 21.

William Paterson University students and staff volunteered for projects at public schools in Jersey City and Newark as part of the nationwide Martin Luther King Day of Service on January 21.

More than two dozen students helped to revitalize the Rafael Cordero Elementary School in Jersey City by painting inspirational and educational murals in the hallways there, a project organized by Jersey Cares.  “The students truly enjoyed their time giving back through this activity,” says Maribel Rodriquez, assistant director of campus activities and student leadership, who accompanied the students along with her colleagues Vickie Jengo and Rafael Matos.

Tristan Tosh, assistant director of campus activities and student leadership, and four students joined more than 150 other volunteers in a joint community service initiative between the Camden Street School in Newark, the American Red Cross, and a Christian organization, Hope Worldwide, to educate students and their families about fire safety and emergency protocols.  

“Our students from William Paterson University were trained on how to recognize fire hazards, how to create a family emergency plan, and how to evacuate during a real emergency,” says Tosh. “We trained families and children on these issues and helped them create a family emergency plan in case they ever need one.  We all had a great time and were asked to think about participating in future Red Cross service initiatives.”