The East Ward Community Center was born from the desire of its founder, Ligia de Freitas, to look with more love, care, and attention towards the Brazilian and Hispanic community of Newark. In 2016, she accepted the challenge of transforming this purpose into reality, founding the Community Center with the goal of welcoming and supporting people of all ages: children, young people, adults, and the elderly.

Since then, the Community Center has worked to meet the community's needs comprehensively, offering food and clothing donations, as well as training opportunities, free courses, and language learning support, facilitating integration and expanding opportunities for each individual.

More than offering assistance, we want to promote dignity, independence, hope, and new possibilities for the future. We believe that every person deserves to be welcomed, valued, and have the opportunity to grow.

Our essence is simple: caring is an act of love.