Northern NJ Community Foundation Honors Teaneck Artist at Celebration

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) honored community leaders at its 25th Anniversary Celebration held at AURA Restaurant & Bar in Hackensack, New Jersey. The sold-out festivity honored community leaders and provided tons of laughs with improv comedy troupe, Howdy Stranger, hosting a “Who Said It?” game show-style awards ceremony and trivia contest.

Teaneck Artist Monica Chavarria-Malin Honored

The NNJCF honored four heroes, including artist Monica Chavarria-Malin, for their contributions to the community. Chavarria-Malin received the Arts Leadership Award. As president of the Hackensack Art Club and Curator and Art Director of Club Colombia USA of Hackensack, Chavarria-Malin has promoted the arts in Bergen County. With over 24 years’ experience as an art teacher, her curriculum includes an interest in the preservation of nature and human values.

Chavarria-Malin, who grew up in Colombia surrounded by trees and flowers, is called by many “The Tree Lady” for her painting of surrealistic trees that take on a human form. For over 30 years, she participated in several art exhibitions and cultural events. Among her work, she painted murals for the cities of Hackensack and Paterson. A resident of Teaneck, she is a member of several organizations, including the Fort Lee Artist Guild, the Art Educators of New Jersey, and “Colombian Leaders Working for a Better Colombia”. In addition, she is on the team leading the NNJCF’s Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice initiative.

Other leaders honored included Albert Dib, Jennylyn Brown, and Michal Shannon, who were presented the Civic Leadership, Environmental Leadership, and Community Visionary Awards, respectively.

“The festivity brought together many people from North Jersey to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We were overwhelmed by the show of support for the Foundation's work in the region,” said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

The celebration's net proceeds support the Foundation’s work in the arts and culture, creative placemaking, environmental protection, civic engagement, public health and local education in North Jersey communities.

Sponsors

A range of sponsorship levels were available for individuals and businesses to participate. Funds raised from the sponsorships benefited the NNJCF's new and ongoing programs in the arts and culture, creative placemaking, environmental protection, civic engagement, and more. Sponsors for the event were Hornrock Properties/ Ivy & Green, The Algrant Family, Print House, Garden Communities/The Jefferson, Room & Board, Winne Banta Basralian & Khan, M&T Bank, The Vanacore Family, AURA Restaurant & Bar, bergenPAC, Steven T. Cirillo CPA, LLC, Mary Call Blanusa, Chris Percopo, Spiro Harrison & Nelson Attorneys, Suburban Consulting Engineers, Arohnson Weiner Salerno & Kaufman P.C., Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce, Leslie J. Lipka, and Newark Science and Sustainability Inc.

People, who were unable to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration, may support the organization with a donation online or send a check made out to The Northern NJ Community Foundation (NNJCF), 1 University Plaza Drive, Suite 128, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.

Celebrating 25 Years in the Community

With the motto 'What can we do together, that we can't do alone?", the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation helps communities in North Jersey become better places to live, work, and enjoy by bringing people together to address pressing issues, such as public health, environmental protection, civil society and education. Founded in 1998, the NNJCF has awarded over $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to local residents. Through its ArtsBergen initiative, opportunities have been created for artists, designers and makers, while also leveraging the power of the arts and creative placemaking to enhance communities in Bergen County. The Foundation's Climate Action Mobilization Project (CAMP) helps Hackensack and neighboring communities become more resilient in northern New Jersey.

To get involved in the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's work, call 201-568-5608 or send an e-mail. Information about the Foundation's mission, initiatives, projects, events, and more may be found on its website.