In the Meantime hosts ‘Sports Blast’
CITY INFO
The following was sent from Janet F. Johnston,
executive director of In the Meantime, to Councilman
Charles Cobb.
Elected Officials
MAYOR
Michael Wildes
CITY COUNCIL
Charles Cobb
(At-Large Member)
Cheryl Rosenberg (Ward 1)
Michael D. Cohen (Ward 2)
Katharine Glynn (Ward 3)
Wayne Hamer (Ward 4)
CITY HALL
2-10 North Van Brunt St.
201-871-6637
In The Meantime, a community based organization
focusing on providing job training, advocacy, mentor-
ing, sports and educational programs for underserved
youth, adults and families, expressed gratitude for the
Englewood City Council’s support of its 1st Annual
Back to School Summer Sports Blast.
The Sports Blast began Friday, Aug. 23, with a
football clinic lead by Rutgers’ Matthew Hewitt. As
their coach and recruiter, he provided our youth
with football skills and drill that they can apply to
www.cityofenglewood.org
A Message for Englewood students
Phone Directory
ADMINISTRATION 201-510-8206
BY OLGA M. CORREA
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST/PROGRAM MANAGER
AT BERGEN FAMILY CENTER OF ENGLEWOOD
CITY ASSESSOR 201-871-6622
CITY CLERK 201-510-8213
CITY MANAGER 201-510-8206
CODE ENFORCEMENT (BUILDING
DEPT.)
201-871-6642
COMMUNITY SERVICES
(ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)
201-871-6664
ENGINEERING 201-569-7590
ENGLEWOOD LIBRARY 201-871-6668
FIRE DEPARTMENT 201-568-6301
FIRE PREVENTION 201-871-6693
HEALTH DEPARTMENT 201-568-3450
HOUSING AUTHORITY 201-871-3451
HOUSING & PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE
201-871-6692
MAYOR’S OFFICE 201-871-6666
MUNICIPAL COURT 201-569-0255
PERSONNEL 201-871-6660
POLICE DEPT. (GENERAL)
201-568-2711
ADMINISTRATION 201-871-6401
TRAFFIC 201-871-6442
PUBLIC WORKS 201-568-3401
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
201-871-6550
TAX COLLECTOR 201-871-6607
ZONING OFFICER 201-871-6650
2
SEPTEMBER 2019
their life on and off the field. Once the training was
over, the team joined us at Morris Park for refresh-
ments, pizza, face painting and bounce house fun.
Events on Saturday, Aug. 24, included exhibits
from Eternity Funeral Services, Englewood Volunteer
Ambulance Corp. and Never Alone Again Resource
Center. Children and their families were received with
free food, books, school supplies and mini workshops
on the importance of life skills. The day ended with an
elementary and middle school basketball tournament,
tattoos, face paint and bounce house games. On Sun-
day, the high school basketball tournament led to the
annual Whip Whop games. More than 100 children
and their families enjoyed a safe, fun environment.
As a member of this community for the past 20
years, it is an honor to write a letter to all of you.
Though I was not born here, Englewood is my home
as it is the place that has allowed me to accomplish
so much, despite the obstacles that have presented
themselves. My journey through the Englewood
Public School District played an integral part in shap-
ing me into the woman that I am today. Throughout
my adolescence, I had to find ways to go to school and
ignore the pain going on in my home life; from family
members going to jail, to others being deported, to
loved ones passing away, to simply feeling like I did
not belong. I was fortunate enough to have teachers
who cared enough to ask, “is everything okay?” in the
midst of my class outbursts. These teachers would go
on to become my mentors, and push me to not only
dream big, but to work to make those dreams a reality.
If it were not for my teachers and the hours they spent
cultivating me into the person I am today, I would not
have the privilege of writing this letter to you all.
To this day, there are still times when I have no
choice but to wear a mask, times when I wake up and
I am sad, or disappointed; times where I feel like I am
not good enough. When I feel this way, I reflect on the
following key lessons I wish someone shared with me
earlier in my life:
Find Valuable Mentors. There are people in your
life, some that you’ve already met, and some you will
come across in your life journey. Some of these people
will doubt you. They will criticize you and make you
feel worthless. Ignore them. Instead, find the people
who believe in you. Listen to the people who offer
constructive criticism, who push you every day to
reach your true potential, because they know what
you are capable of achieving.
Be Patient. In your own time, create meaningful,
purposeful, fulfilling lives for yourselves. Chase what
you love, and learn how to use your skills to make an
impact in your community and in the lives of others.
Be Resilient. Resilience is the process of
MYENGLEWOOD
adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, or
tragedy. It’s hard to change your life. In the process of
working on your dreams you are going to endure a lot
of failure and pain. Moments where you will doubt
yourself, and ask, “Why me?” Instead, think “what
is this moment trying to reach me? What can I learn
from this experience? We are capable of being our
own teachers if we take the time to acknowledge our
feelings, our reactions and learn how to bounce back
from being put down.
Develop your Unique Voice. Growing up I felt
silenced by many teachers and staff members. A
feeling I hated and it had the potential to discourage
me from succeeding in life. As we know, we are
living in some difficult times. If you have each taught
me anything over the years, it’s that when you want
something bad enough you won’t stop until you get it.
Channel that energy, to become the change we so
desperately need. Remember, a true leader is not a
person who holds a formal position or gets paid a
certain salary, rather, a true leader is a person who
cares enough to know how to effect positive change for
the betterment of others, the community, and society.
Be that kind of leader!
Be a Little Selfish. As much as you want to help,
love, and support those around you, it’s impossible
to pour out of an empty glass. So make sure you take
care of you. Seek the self-care that you deserve, to be
able to flourish in the world. Our traumatic experi-
ences have the power to either hold us back, or propel
us to the next level; that is going to depend on what
you each allow. You must wake up every day ready to
live intentionally, and be authentically you.
When people ask me why I’ve chosen to come back
to work in Englewood, I simply say it wasn’t a choice,
it was a calling. My role as “Ms. Olga” has never felt
like a job - it’s a responsibility to help you all envision
the most fulfilling future for yourselves and an oppor-
tunity to be the kind of mentor that I had growing up.
I’m grateful to each of you for allowing me to look
forward to work every day. While I will not be in
Englewood this Fall, my goal is to always advocate on
your behalf even when I am not within the city limits.
Together, we will build the community we all deserve.