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Auto Grad Gets Job!
2010 GRAD HOWARD THORNTON
As far back as he can remember, Howard Thornton has been surrounded by automobiles.
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Grad Howard Thornton
2010 GRAD HOWARD THORNTON
As far back as he can remember, Howard Thornton has been surrounded by automobiles.
“My father was a mechanic and my stepdad,” he said. “I pretty much grew into it.”
An August 2010 graduate of NCC’s Youth and Adult Automotive Training Center program, Thornton landed a job at Goodyear Brake-o-Rama in Elizabeth three months later. He does everything from engine replacements and transmission repairs to working on radiators and axles.
“There’s no job that can’t be done,” he said. “I’m always looking to get the job done. You just have to be motivated and be willing to learn and do the work.”
Former Harmony House resident finds a home and Visits Australia on a Sponsored Trip for All-Stars
Marcus Stapleton, the former Harmony House resident who is a football standout, returned from a recent trip to Australia with reports of sacks, tackles and fun. Mr. Stapleton’s family recently moved from the transitional facility for homeless families after a long stay.
He went to Australia after he was nominated to play in the Down Under Bowl. It is a tournament for outstanding high school football players from across the United States. Games between all-star American high school teams took place in Hawaii and in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia during the summer.
Mr. Stapleton’s trip was paid for largely by caring people that contributed toward the $3,000 cost of the two-week trip. New Community helped raise and coordinate donations.
“I thank everyone for sponsoring me and for helping me go down there,” Mr. Stapleton said. “I enjoyed seeing another way of life in Australia and interacting with players from all over the country.”
Although Mr. Stapleton’s team lost, he returned with three sacks and 10 tackles under his belt. He also reported that he is now planning to attend Grambling, where he will play college football.
Mr. Stapleton had a rocky start in football that included suspensions for undisciplined play. He said the grew into a team player under the wing of his coach, Marion Bell.
When news that Mr. Stapleton’s play at East Orange High School was so good that he had earned a nomination for the Down Under Bowl, New Community began helping him raise donations to cover the cost of the trip to Hawaii and Australia.
“We’re so proud of Marcus,” said Harmony House Director Diane Young, who worked closely with both Mr. Stapleton and his mother.
Mr. Stapleton said the he was disappointed that his team didn’t distinguish itself in Australia, but said the he enjoyed the opportunity to play.
He is actually one of a number of young people that has lived Harmony House and done well. A young former Harmony House resident, Ishmail Samad, is now in his sophomore year at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Samad’s sister is an Honor Roll student that traveled to London as a “Student Ambassador.” Several other young Harmony House residents are either on the Honor Roll or are distinguishing themselves academically.
Up to 200 children and teenagers can live at Harmony House, many of them in households struggling to overcome long odds that can include domestic abuse and substance abuse.
Mr. Stapleton said that he was looking forward to going to school in Louisiana and starting another chapter in his life, and added that the trip to Australia was a good introduction to life away from Newark.
“There was a lot of vacation involved in addition to football,” Mr. Stapleton, who had only once in his life traveled outside the Newark area. “I have to say that I enjoyed myself.”
New Community Mission
To help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement. Under One Roof
Marcus Stapleton, the former Harmony House resident who is a football standout, returned from a recent trip to Australia with reports of sacks, tackles and fun. Mr. Stapleton’s family recently moved from the transitional facility for homeless families after a long stay.
He went to Australia after he was nominated to play in the Down Under Bowl. It is a tournament for outstanding high school football players from across the United States. Games between all-star American high school teams took place in Hawaii and in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia during the summer.
Mr. Stapleton’s trip was paid for largely by caring people that contributed toward the $3,000 cost of the two-week trip. New Community helped raise and coordinate donations.
“I thank everyone for sponsoring me and for helping me go down there,” Mr. Stapleton said. “I enjoyed seeing another way of life in Australia and interacting with players from all over the country.”
Although Mr. Stapleton’s team lost, he returned with three sacks and 10 tackles under his belt. He also reported that he is now planning to attend Grambling, where he will play college football.
Mr. Stapleton had a rocky start in football that included suspensions for undisciplined play. He said the grew into a team player under the wing of his coach, Marion Bell.
When news that Mr. Stapleton’s play at East Orange High School was so good that he had earned a nomination for the Down Under Bowl, New Community began helping him raise donations to cover the cost of the trip to Hawaii and Australia.
“We’re so proud of Marcus,” said Harmony House Director Diane Young, who worked closely with both Mr. Stapleton and his mother.
Mr. Stapleton said the he was disappointed that his team didn’t distinguish itself in Australia, but said the he enjoyed the opportunity to play.
He is actually one of a number of young people that has lived Harmony House and done well. A young former Harmony House resident, Ishmail Samad, is now in his sophomore year at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Samad’s sister is an Honor Roll student that traveled to London as a “Student Ambassador.” Several other young Harmony House residents are either on the Honor Roll or are distinguishing themselves academically.
Up to 200 children and teenagers can live at Harmony House, many of them in households struggling to overcome long odds that can include domestic abuse and substance abuse.
Mr. Stapleton said that he was looking forward to going to school in Louisiana and starting another chapter in his life, and added that the trip to Australia was a good introduction to life away from Newark.
“There was a lot of vacation involved in addition to football,” Mr. Stapleton, who had only once in his life traveled outside the Newark area. “I have to say that I enjoyed myself.”
New Community Mission
To help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement. Under One Roof