Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Chief Sustainability Officer Nicole Hewitt-Cabral today announced the 2026 recipients of the Love Your Block, Newark! mini-grant program that empowers residents to lead community-driven beautification, sustainability, and climate-resilience projects across the city.
Through grants of up to $5,000, the program supports grassroots solutions that make Newark’s neighborhoods cleaner, greener, and more resilient. This year’s funded initiatives include community gardens to expand food access and education, green space revitalization, neighborhood cleanups, catch basin maintenance and art, disaster preparedness workshops, pollinator gardens, youth-led environmental programs and expanded waste management efforts.
“The Love Your Block, Newark! program spotlights our residents who truly care about our city and are committed to improving their immediate surroundings,” said Mayor Baraka. “These grant awardees take ownership of their civic responsibility for environmental stewardship and the health and wellbeing of their neighbors. They deserve all the praise we can give them and all our thanks.”
Love Your Block, Newark! promotes environmental stewardship while strengthening civic engagement and empowering Newark residents to take the lead in contributing to the city’s broader goals of improving its environmental health.
As Newark continues its efforts to revitalize and beautify neighborhoods, the Love Your Block, Newark! program remains a key catalyzer for innovative, sustainability-focused projects that create a healthier, more resilient city.
The City of Newark congratulates the 2026 Love Your Block, Newark! Grantees:
- Bridging the Blocks Association (South Ward)
- Hillside Ave Block Association (South Ward)
- Lower Goldsmith Block Association (South Ward)
- Newark Community Street Team (South Ward)
- Newark Science and Sustainability (South Ward)
- Weequahic Park Association (South Ward)
- Weequahic Park Sports Authority Conservancy (South Ward)
- Hermo Court HOA (East Ward)
- Ironbound Community Corporation (East Ward)
- Foundation Esperanza Azteca (West Ward)
- Munsterpreneur Initiative Inc. (West Ward)
- Newark Network (West Ward)
- Rare Gems Community Development Corporation (West Ward)
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Newark (Central Ward)
- Rutgers The State University (Central Ward)
- The Education & Training Institute (East and West)
“These 16 grants, awarded to resident groups across the city, reflect the unity, creativity, and commitment of Newarkers who are stepping up to address local challenges and bring their visions to life,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Nicole Hewitt-Cabral. “They are the driving force behind the vibrancy and strength of our city.”
For more information about the Love Your Block, Newark! program, email the City of Newark's Office of Sustainability, Resilience, and Community Transformation at loveyourblock@ci.newark.nj.us or visit Love Your Block, Newark!
