Newark ‘Lights On’ Program Provides Shelter From Violence For Students (VIDEO)

NEWARK, NJ — After the tragic loss of yet another young Newark student to gun violence, a local vice principal knew he had to do something – anything – to “keep the lights on” and make more safe places for the city’s youth.

And it’s because of community leaders like West Side High School (WSHS) Vice Principal and Program Director Akbar Cook that these places exist.

Cook, with the support of the West Side Alumni Group and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, started the “Lights On” program in 2016. The program provides free activities, food and drinks to as many as 80 students every Friday evening throughout the school year, but ramps up its efforts in the summer, when organizers host the program at WSHS from 6 to 11 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night.

During its June 30 incarnation, almost 300 Newark youth showed up for the evening’s festivities, which featured a disc jockey and ice cream truck.

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Recently, the program has begun to increase its focus on creating programs for local girls and female teens, Cook said.

“Lights On is thrilled to open up new and exciting opportunities for more young women across our city this year,” Cook said. “We want to do more for our young women across Newark to ensure they have a variety of engaging activities and are able to enjoy their summer vacation in a nurturing, fun and safe environment.”

The renewed focus on reaching out to female youth has a sad origin, Cook said.

On the final night of last summer’s program, the district lost a female student to gun violence. The student’s death inspired Cook to broaden the appeal of the program to young women across the city by offering more recreational activities such as jewelry making and makeup classes, he said.

Cook, who manages school operations related to disciplinary procedures, school climate and culture, and security at WSHS, has his hands in several initiatives at WSHS and across the district. He is the head coach of the WSHS varsity boys’ basketball team, which won the 2017 Group 2 NJSIAA championships, and also partnered with the Community Food Bank of NJ to provide food packs every Friday night to students and families in need on weekends.

Cook said that he’s also working to build a laundromat and study hall at WSHS to increase student attendance and support student achievement because “many students do not attend school regularly because they don’t have clean clothes.”

Earlier this year, Cook was selected as a finalist for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition, a contest which showcases leaders across Newark for their dedication in making a positive impact on Newark’s future.

“Thanks to the continued investment of Vice Principal Cook, the West Side Alumni Group, and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, students and families across our city are able to come together throughout the summer and enjoy a multitude of fun-filled activities at the Lights On program,” said Christopher Cerf, superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS).

“Programs like Lights On create a strong future for Newark by serving the needs of all students and families, as well as ensuring all children have access to positive opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom,” Cerf said.

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Photos: Newark Public School District