Burgers & Brew Returned to McLoone’s Boathouse

As the end of summer came to a close, La Casa de Don Pedro hosted the season’s final hurrah in one of Essex County’s favorite outdoor venues – McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange on Thursday, September 20. At the event, La Casa de Don Pedro welcomed its new Board President Arcelio Aponte, Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration, Economic Development and Chief Financial Officer at Rutgers University-Newark.

Portraits and testimonials around the venue showcased beneficiaries of La Casa de Don Pedro’s programs. Francia Casado, a parent of After School Enrichment Program youth, said “La Casa is there for my family in so many ways. They give my kids a safe environment to come to when they get out of school each day. My family is all in Santo Domingo; La Casa is our new family. My kids have friends that would be like cousins and teachers and staff who are like aunts and uncles. I am so grateful for everything La Casa does for me and my family.”

McLoone’s Boathouse grilled up fresh burgers along their outdoor patio overlooking the Orange Reservoir while offering plenty of beer options on tap. Jimenez Tobacco, a Newark based cigar lounge and family business with roots in Cuba, showcased the age-old art of cigar rolling with their signature blends during a live demonstration as guest watched and even took part in rolling the cigars. Afrocuba Band provided the rhythm for the evening, with Ricky Rodriguez, bongo, Chris Nieves, conga,Oscar Oñoz, piano, and Carlos Mena on bass.

Arcelio Aponte has a long history in Newark, growing up in the Ironbound neighborhood and graduating from East Side High School. As Director of Operations and Management for Economic & Housing Development in the City of Newark, Mr. Aponte led the city’s programs in workforce, economic development, housing, and ex-offender re-entry programs. He also designed and launched the Newark College Freshman Initiative, a program to help first generation young adults transition into college, and guide them through this often new and difficult experience, which can be especially challenging for immigrant families.

Mr. Aponte was one of the early partners of Newark’s City of Learning Collaborative, with its goal that by 2025, 25% of Newark’s population has a college education.

When Rutgers-Newark’s Chancellor Nancy Cantor hired Mr. Aponte to be her Vice Provost, he helped make her vision to provide free tuition to low-income Newark residents a reality. And, in his current capacity as Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration, Economic Development and Chief Financial Officer for Rutgers- Newark, Mr. Aponte was instrumental in opening up the Barnes & Noble college bookstore and Tech Bar in Newark’s newly renovated Hahne’s Building.

Mr. Aponte also worked closely to align resources to create the Rutgers Honors Living & Learning Community. Mr. Aponte also serves as President of the NJ State Board of Education, is a board member of the Newark Regional Business Partnership, the Newark Downtown District, and the Salvation Army Advisory. He and his wife, Susan, are proud parents of two children, Arcelio and Elissa.

Burgers & Brew benefited La Casa de Don Pedro, a Newark-based comprehensive, social service and community development organization founded 46 years ago that empowers people and revitalizes neighborhoods, every step of the way.

To view photos from this year’s Burgers & Brew please click this link, https://www.flickr.com/photos/lacasadedonpedro/albums/72157698467885962.

Burgers and Brew was made possible due to the support of the following sponsors:

Premier Gold Sponsors

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

M&T Bank

PSEG

Bronze Sponsors

Prudential Financial

TD Bank

Verizon

Wells Fargo

Friend Sponsors

McCarter & English, LLP

Russo Development

WithumSmith+Brown

Fall Equinox Supporters

L. Ross Wealth Management

Lotus Equity Group

Rutgers University-Newark

Sunset Supporters

Driscoll Foods

EVCO Mechanical

Facility Solutions Group

Security On Point, Inc.

Thornton Agency

Dusk Supporters

Assemblyman Thomas Giblin

Dawn Gammon

Joy Yagid Photography

Newark Trust for Education

NJPAC

Stobbs Printing

Thornton Agency

Valley National Bank