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The Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation (MNDC)
was founded in 1969 and incorporated on June 1, 1970. A group of concerned
citizens and community activists, Polly Davis, Donald Clifton, Audrey
Fletcher, Norman Mitchell and a few others were responsible for getting the
agency up and running. A board of trustees was formed representing three
targeted areas set aside by federal guidelines. The three targeted areas
were as follows: Area A, Nishuane to Glenfield School; Area B, Rand School
to Frog Hollow; and Area C, Glenridge Avenue and Bay Street. The funding to
handle all administrative costs associated with running an office was
supplied by the federally funded Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
program.
The MNDC Adult School was started in 1969 and was
funded by another grant program, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
This program is still in existence today and the CDBG program continues to
be the funding source.
1970’s
Since its inception, in addition to its other services, MNDC has had
programs specifically for young people. MNDC sponsored winter and summer
basketball leagues, job training and work experience through the
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Also, the agency sponsored
a summer offsite feeding program at Trinity Church and had bus trips to
various locations. The Montclair Community Action Programs (MCAP) Basketball
league serviced over 250 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 years
old. The MCAP logo and name is still carried today as part of our Project
Oasis program.
The summer feeding and enrichment program serviced boys
and girls between the ages of 7 to 12. Each day the youngsters would
participate in arts and crafts, games and each child received free lunch and
a snack. Over 50 young people were serviced by this program.
In conjunction with CETA the agency provided on average
120 jobs and training for young people of working age, each summer. The
training consisted of carpentry, lawn care, site development and general
office skills.
MNDC sponsored summer trips to many facilities in the
tri-state area. MNDC took young people to Bear Mountain, Sandy Hook, Asbury
Park, and museums in NYC. Every summer over 300 youngsters attended these
trips.
1980’s
The decade brought many spending cuts to the funding sources we relied upon
in the 1970’s. MNDC was forced to cancel or curtail many of the programs
designated for young people. The MCAP basketball program was discontinued
for both the summer and winter. The CETA program numbers and opportunities
were drastically decreased and the offsite feeding and enrichment programs
were terminated.
MNDC was able to continue with the some of the summer
trips. MNDC started a program which provided life skills for teenage females
and a youth development program which provided cultural enrichment and
academic support.
1990’s to Present
In early part of the decade, the agency’s main focus shifted drastically
within our youth development programs. The main focus was in the areas of
drug awareness, HIV awareness, academic development, and conflict resolution
and community involvement.
Late in the decade, after 30 years of service, the
agency lost its administrative funding from the Community Service Block
Grant due to internal issues and conflicts within the agency in Essex County
which controlled the CSGB program locally. The agency still maintained its
Adult School program and CDBG funding. The agency continued to provide
walk-in referral assistance and administrative expenses were paid by
fundraising, private and corporate contributions.
In 1997 the highly successful Project Oasis program was
started and it has grown to be the mainstay of the agency and most people in
town think of Project Oasis when they hear MNDC. The United Way of North
Essex and Mountainside Hospital were the main funding source for the first
three years of Project Oasis. The United Way has continued their unwavering
support of Project Oasis as we completed eight years of service to our young
people the summer of 2005. The CDBG program has also provide financial
support since 2002.
In 1999, the agency hired a new Executive Director and
the Board of Directors was restructured. This has lead to the rebirth of the
agency and a renewed commitment to advocate and assist the disadvantaged in
our community. top
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