Community Outreach

Community outreach involves providing professional services, or services of a specific expertise, to a group of people who may not otherwise have access to those services. It is performed where those in need are located. 

But what's the main goal of an outreach program? It's simple yet profound: to create positive change. Whether it's through education, healthcare, or social services, outreach programs aim to bridge gaps and build stronger, more resilient communities.

RWJMS and its home communities of New Brunswick and Piscataway share a long history, and our successes and challenges are intertwined. Our partnerships with community residents, local organizations, and major institutions put our knowledge-based resources to work throughout the greater New Brunswick area.  We tap the energy and talents of our students, faculty, and staff to focus on community needs. 

We too live and work here, and are equally committed to a strong and vibrant community.

Caroling at Sterling Village Senior Building

On Thursday, December 12, 2024 - RWJMS Staff Council members Faith Jackson and Susan Giordano, OIT Volunteers Veronica Rosel, David He and Zaiwei Liu, and Members of Rutgers Choirs provided a Caroling Event for seniors at Sterling Village Senior Building in Piscataway.

Rutgers choir members Madeleine Marsola, Elyse Guadagno, Jane Herman, Sinead Ly, Kat Rich, Manasvi Chilakapati, Maria Walsh, Samantha Allotey, Romulo Vite, Colin Hinkle and Will Scott, under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Tubiolo (Mason Gross School of the Arts), sang Christmas Carols acapella while volunteers prepared and served hot chocolate, hot cider, egg nog and Christmas cookies. 

The students are members of the Rutgers University Choir, Rutgers Voorhees Choir, Rutgers Glee Club and Rutgers Kirkpatrick Choir, who came together to provide this wonderful event for seniors.  Song books were even provided so seniors could sing along!

The Caroling Event was made even more special when Sterling Village resident, Richard DeVany (age 87) joined the event and mentioned that he was a Rutgers University Alumni -  Class of 1959 and a Rutgers Choir and Glee Club member from September, 1955 through June, 1959!

Here are some additional details about Mr. DeVany’s history with Rutgers:

• 1955-1959  Member of Rutgers Choir and Rutgers Glee Club
• Member of the Board of Governors Rutgers Alumni Association 1994 – 2014
• Member of Rutgers Alumni Glee Club, founded in 1983 – Robert Marguccio, Executive Director of Rutgers Alumni  Association responsible for having the Alumni Glee Club sing at homecoming and Alumni Reunion Weekend
• Co-Chair of Rutgers Undergraduate Committee, Reunion Committee and the Homecoming Committee
• 1959 – Present:  Member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America – now called “Barbershop Harmony Society”
• Member of 2 international champion barbershop choruses
• 1,020 appearances, 36 states, 2 providences of Canada, 2 British Isles, Monaco and Bermuda
• Singing in church choirs for 77 years!
• Sang with 22 musical groups over the years:  Choir of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, NJ, the mother church to the 9th largest Roman Catholic Archdiocese in the country; Great Auditorium Choir in Ocean Grove, NJ; The Note-Wints Barbershop Quartet
• Cathedral Choir – 21 year member (previously sang with them in Rome, Venice, Salzberg and Munique)
• Currently a Lecter at Roman Catholic Masses longer than any other person in the state of NJ – since September 1967
• Currently Knights of Columbus officer for 11 years

Widowed with 7 children, 11 grandchildren, Richard says that having a large family, working with young people and singing has kept him young!  We are all looking forward to our next event at Sterling Village! 

View our slideshow of images from the event below!

Unity Square Community Center - SIDS Outreach

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Staff Council Members Susan Giordano, Faith Jackson, Victoria Joseph, Caryn Carrol and Letice Smith participated in an outreach event at the Unity Square Community Center in New Brunswick on behalf of The SIDS Center of NJ by handing out SIDS information cards and infant onesies with the SIDS tagline to parents and grandparents. 

Elijah's Promise Patron Snack Bags

On Friday, October 4, 2024, Staff Council Members & RWJMS Volunteers: Deneen Blow, Susan Giordano, Faith Jackson, Anna Nunez, Maria Pellerano, Lauren Ramos, Roger Thornton, Amanda Veltry and Taysha Medina  participated in a Community Outreach Event by packing 362 snack bags for the patrons of Elijah's Promise! 

Over 1200 assorted snack items were donated by the RWJMS Dean's Office!  Susan Giordano and Maria Pellerano coordinated the distribution and packing of the individual bags and graciously dropped off the completed items to Elijah's Promise.

Thank you all for making a difference in our community!