(PASSAIC, NJ) -- United Passaic Organization will host a National Community Action Month kick-off celebration and resource fair on Saturday, May 21. The community-based event will take place at the courtyard of the UPO Community Hub at 1 Howe Avenue in Passaic from 12:00pm - 3:00pm. As part of the celebration, the City of Passaic's Mayor Hector C. Lora will present UPO with an official proclamation to make May Community Action Month in the City.

As the Community Action Agency of Passaic, United Passaic Organization is dedicated to serving the community and plans to do just that on Saturday.

UPO will have a resource table available for all in attendance to learn about its various services including food assistance and voucher programs, rental assistance, immigration services, income tax preparation, and hands-on workshops to teach essential tools and traits.

The event is UPO Executive Director Dr. Janelle C. Hall’s first in-person community event since accepting the position in October 2021. She is committed to serving the residents of Passaic by providing wraparound services to help the whole person and family. 

“It is imperative for the community to know that UPO is back and better than ever,” she said. “We have strategic partnerships that will enhance the sustainable lifestyle of our residents in Passaic. We want to teach and grow the residents of Passaic. We want to help them with a hand-up and not a hand-down. We want individuals to have dignity when they receive these services.”

UPO enlisted partner agencies to join the Community Action Month kick-off and provide Passaic residents with the opportunity to learn about additional services that can benefit them. 

Keller Williams Realty will distribute real estate information from a buyer’s, renter’s, and seller’s perspective. Lincoln Heritage will be on-site speaking on necessary documentation to ensure that individuals are legally prepared for the distribution of assets and wealth after death. 4Cs of Passaic County, Inc. will go over childcare programs, financial assistance, and resources that can help parents find the proper care facilities and programs for their children. United Healthcare will give individuals insight into health insurance plans and general health education to improve their lives. Girls Scouts of Northern New Jersey will provide programmatic information for youth and young women.

UPO is actively seeking partners, funders, and volunteers to best serve the City of Passaic. If you are interested in partnering, donating, or volunteering for United Passaic Organization, please contact [email protected] or call 973-472-2478.

“Having partners is critical because we achieve more together than we can alone,” Dr. Hall said. “Saturday’s partnerships show the community that these resources are available to them. Our residents may not know where to go to access resources so we wanted to bring those resources directly to the community. We are providing a service that will help individuals succeed not only for themselves but from a generational standpoint.”

The kick-off event is only the beginning of UPO’s Community Action Month initiative. Beginning on Thursday, May 12, and every Thursday for the rest of May, United Passaic Organization will host a Happi Hour event from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. The events will consist of resource tables and different giveaways including cleaning supplies, essentials, groceries, and ice cream, to name a few. The Thursday Happi Hours will also be outside UPO’s Community Hub on Howe Ave.

“UPO is a true grassroots organization,” Dr. Hall said. “We want to remind the community of the great work that UPO has done in the past, but now is the time to be innovative. We want to show that we are consistent, we are present and we are here to serve the community.”