Structure of Intergenerational poverty in the Southward of Newark, NJ

76% of children under five live below the poverty line in some neighborhoods

Newark, New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey, with a population of approximately 300,000, stands as the largest city in the state. Despite its bustling urban atmosphere and diverse demographics, the city has faced enduring challenges, especially within the South Ward. Historically, Newark has grappled with racial tensions, notably evidenced by the race riots in 1967, which left scars of distrust and frustration among local residents. Within this context, the South Ward struggles with a multitude of socioeconomic issues affecting residents of all ages, reflecting the ongoing legacy of historical injustices, systemic disparities and the challenges of intergenerational poverty.

The South Ward, one of Newark's five political wards, is particularly affected by a myriad of issues that impact the lives of its residents across all age groups.

South Ward, Newark Neighborhood

The South Ward, home to approximately 50,000 people, is characterized by high levels of poverty, unemployment, and crime. The area's Promise Neighborhoods, which include the Upper Clinton Hill and Dayton neighborhoods, face even more severe challenges. Children in the South Ward are growing up in an environment where poverty is widespread, with 76% of children under five living below the poverty line in some neighborhoods.

Structure of Intergenerational Poverty

This detailed overview offers a stark picture of the various challenges that pervade the South Ward and Promise Neighborhoods, underlining the need for substantial intervention in terms of education, healthcare, employment, and social services to improve the conditions faced by residents across all age groups.

The data utilized is from the Needs and segmentation analysis for the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey , conducted by New York University (NYU) in 2016.

Children (Birth-12):

South Ward:

- 76% of children under 5 live below the poverty line.

- 46% of children missed 15 or more school days during the academic year; 16% missed 35 days or more.

- Significant shortage of high-quality childcare: only one out of three slots in Upper Clinton Hill are high-quality, none in Dayton.

- 33% of children aged one to four moved in the past year.

- 10% of children under 18 were under supervision, with significant involvement in abuse or neglect investigations.

Promise Neighborhoods:

- The entire area is designated as a food desert by the USDA.

- High-quality early childhood slots shortage significantly impacts the area, affecting 865 slots, or 68% of children aged 0-4.

Youth (13-24):

South Ward:

- 50% of 16-19 year olds and 33% of 20-24 year olds are unemployed.

- Only 67.6% of students graduate high school, below citywide and statewide rates.

- Only 5% of eleventh graders met ACT college readiness benchmarks.

- 25% of disconnected youth have had juvenile justice system involvement.

- Nearly half of the children missed 15 or more school days during the academic year.

Promise Neighborhoods:

- High dropout rates and exceptionally low college readiness, with only 5% meeting ACT benchmarks.

- High rates of juvenile justice system involvement reflect broader social challenges.

Adults (25-64):

South Ward:

- 31% unemployment rate, three times the state average.

- 45% earn less than $20,000 annually; 41% fall below the poverty line.

- More than one in four adults aged 18 to 64 lack health insurance.

- High mobility among residents, with frequent changes in residence contributing to instability.

- Severe healthcare shortages: emergency room usage rate much higher than county average.

Promise Neighborhoods:

- Similar economic challenges as the broader South Ward, including high unemployment and low income levels.

- Only 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Elderly (65+):

South Ward:

- Over 60% of Dayton residents over 75 live below the poverty line.

Call to Action:

This brief introduction to the South Ward and its Promise Neighborhoods underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, multi-faceted interventions to address the interconnected issues of poverty, education, health, and safety. Only through a concerted effort to invest in the community and its residents can Newark's South Ward begin to overcome the profound challenges it faces and build a brighter future for generations to come.

The time for action is now.

We can engineer a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive, every family can break free from the grip of poverty, and bring abundance at national scale.

warmly,

Chinedu Echeruo

Founder, Beloved Ecosystem