New Jersey is currently home to approximately 580,000 youth ages 13-19. One local organization is making sure this group does not go unnoticed through a myriad of programming offerings. Community Lifestyle is a non-profit organization in Hoboken whose mission is to promote prosocial friendships, strong interpersonal skills and reassert a sense of hope for the future. We had a chance to connect with CEO, Louis Quinones, to learn more about Community Lifestyle based in Hoboken.
This summer, Community Lifestyle is supporting the children of Hoboken by providing families in the Hoboken Housing Authority with a free, quality, full-day summer camp for 8 weeks.
This summer, CL has the ambitious goal of providing campers with 7 exciting field trips via a summer fundraiser.
That’s where the community comes in: You can sponsor one child with a donation of $206, which would cover admission, transportation, and meal expenses for the following seven life-changing, memory-making experiences:
July 14: Liberty Science Center
July 21: GlassRoots at Newark Glass Arts Center
July 28: Kalahari Indoor Waterpark
August 2: The Bronx Zoo
August 4: Private screening of TMNT in 4DX at Regal Battery Park NYC
August 11: Museum of Natural History
August 18: Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream
How Community Lifestyle Took Shape
(Photo credit: @communitylifestyle)
Community Lifestyle was officially formed as a non-profit in June 2017 with the goal of helping teens and youth in the area. Louis shared with The Hoboken Girl that helping this age group is a personal passion of his.
“I am extremely passionate about breaking the cycle for our underprivileged youth to have a better future because I grew up under the same circumstances as the teens in the Hoboken Housing Authority. Staying involved in recreational activities that I was only able to participate in due to someone taking a chance on me by giving me a job at the YMCA kept me away from trouble and supported me in ways that I would have never had without that involvement.”
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Numerous studies show that afterschool programs can play a huge role in the development of teenagers. Organizations like Community Lifestyles know that teens need positive environments and access to critical resources.
“As the foundation of our future, it is critical that our youth and teens have an opportunity to obtain needed services to participate in social, recreational, and sporting activities, to attend a safe and welcoming gathering place that is free from drugs and alcohol,” says Louis.
Youth Activities
Photo Credit: Anel Laurens
In fulfilling its mission, Community Lifestyle has ensured that teens have access to resources for a well-rounded and full life.
“We engage with youth and teens in a variety of programs, including health and wellness, life skill development, employment and training, education, social, recreational programming. Our signature program is our free Summer Camp which provides comprehensive, supervised childcare that will have an in-depth impact on children and families by allowing for parent’s employment, the economic stability of the family, and a positive experience for children in terms of care, self-development, and education,” shared Louis.
He went on to explain more about the summer camp. “Our summer camp also creates an environment that fosters opportunities for the development of the child in the areas of character, physical education, cognitive growth, and social/emotional growth.” In addition to the Summer Camp, Community Lifestyle hosts numerous programs to support youth in the area.
“Additional programs include swim lessons which teach children self-confidence, encourage physical fitness and cut the risk of drowning, T.A.L.E. which introduces teens to the business world, and Teens Take the City which offers teens the opportunity to get involved in issues affecting their community. This year, we launched a flag football league that you can read more about later in the article. We also have many one‐time programs that we hold for youth and teens at various locations throughout New Jersey,” explained Louis.
Flag Football
One of the most popular programs offered by Community Lifestyles is the Flag Football League. “The flag football league is open to all youth and teens, grades 1st through 12th, regardless of their financial situation which is a recurring theme of any program we offer.”
The League emphasizes sportsmanship and fun while improving outcomes related to social, family, and community functioning, as well as physical wellness. The program runs from May through June this year and currently has over 230 registered students.
In addition to the rec league, the flag football program also provides flag football skills training, and academic tracking to help any student that needs assistance with schoolwork. Games are currently underway throughout the week in Hoboken.
Making It Happen
Photo Credit: @communitylifestyle
Louis plays an integral role in making Community Lifestyle a reality. He shares, however, that the organization would not be possible without the help of the many supporters. “Community Lifestyle would be nothing without the board of directors, the volunteers who assist the organization, and the youth in our program.
Additionally, our organization works with other nonprofits including the Jubilee Center who is partnering with us for this year’s summer camp. I appreciate every single person’s contributions to this organization. I am often told by everyone that is involved with Community Lifestyle that my passion is inspiring and motivating, but to have people who support my dream and share my beliefs is just as inspiring and motivating to me to keep working hard and bettering the organization,” shares Louis.
The incredible work that Community Lifestyle can do is funded by generous donors. This year, the non-profit has increased its fundraising efforts to continue to do this work. Due to the recent uptick in demand, Community Lifestyle has set a fundraising goal of $110,000—double its current budget. When asked about this increase, Louis explained why this money is so important.
“Being a non-profit organization that does not ask our members for a single penny to participate in our programs, fundraising is what keeps us going. We want to keep growing and adding more programs each year, such as this year adding flag football. The more programs we have, the more teens we can attract. This in turn supports our desire to provide a foundation for our future by giving our youth and teens an opportunity to obtain needed services to participate in social, recreational, and sporting activities, to attend a safe and welcoming gathering place that is free from drugs, and alcohol.”
Getting Involved
Photo Credit: @communitylifestyle
To run, Community Lifestyle needs the support of local residents to lend a hand in various capacities. Monetary donations are always welcome and can be made via the donate page here. Volunteers are also needed and the community can start the process of becoming a volunteer by filling out the short application on the site here. Louis told us more about what is needed from volunteers.
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“The application has a field where you can share which areas of involvement you are interested in. Some of these areas include general homework assistance, technology training, educational tutoring, summer camp counseling, swim instructing, flag football refereeing, and many more.”
Community Lifestyle is shaping the lives of the next generation of leaders and community members. To learn more about Community Lifestyle or to support its mission, please visit the website — and to donate to its summer field trip fund, click here.
