As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the impact we've made and look ahead to the exciting opportunities we can create together in 2025. At United Parks As One (UPAO), our mission to empower Newark’s neighborhoods through advocacy, education, and community engagement continues to inspire meaningful change.

Dear United Parks As One Family, We need your help!


One of our most transformative initiatives, the Summer Park Rangers Program, has provided Newark’s youth with life-changing opportunities for years. This six-week summer program equips teens with critical life skills, environmental education, and wellness practices while fostering a love for their community and the environment.

Unemployment among Newark youth spikes during the summer months, with rates as high as 40% in some areas. Programs like ours bridge this gap by offering structured activities, skill-building, and stipends to participants who often lack access to such opportunities.

The Park Rangers Program provides meaningful summer employment and instills a sense of purpose and belonging. Each morning begins with yoga to center the mind and body, followed by field trips to explore how young people can become stewards of their city’s environment. Teens learn about indigenous plants, trees, and sustainable practices, preparing them to lead Newark into a greener future.

Your support powers transformative experiences and meaningful change in our parks and communities.

Here’s how your generosity makes a difference:

  • Inspiring the Next Generation: Over 300 youth have participated in hands-on environmental education, learning to care for their environment and community.

  • Building Future Leaders: 90% of Park Rangers report enhanced leadership and teamwork skills that prepare them for success in life.

  • Revitalizing Our Parks: Park Rangers have brought new life to Jesse Allen Park, Mildred Helms Park, and Nat Turner Park, creating safe, welcoming spaces for all.

  • Advancing Park Equity: This past summer, Park Rangers partnered with the Trust for Public Land to survey Newark’s parks and engage visitors in shaping the future of public spaces.

Your donation ensures this vital work continues, empowering our youth and enhancing Newark’s parks for generations to come.

With your help, we can ensure that more Newark youth experience this transformative program.

Your donation will directly fund stipends, educational materials, and enriching experiences for teens in the Summer 2025 cohort.