A vibrant outdoor community space. Fresh food. Safe programming. Joy. And why your $150 makes it possible.
This summer, Newark has a plaza. A place where children play, neighbors gather, and families find something they deserve but rarely get: a summer that feels like home.
In many Newark neighborhoods, a true community gathering space has long been missing. No outdoor plaza. No shaded market. No place where a family can simply show up on a summer evening and feel they belong. At 43 Broadway in Newark’s Lower Broadway neighborhood, La Casa de Don Pedro changed that.
El Patio de La Casa, LCDP’s outdoor community plaza, was built on the belief that community life deserves a space to thrive. Funded by a landmark $100,000 grant from the NJ Devils Youth Foundation, El Patio transformed an empty lot into one of Newark’s most beloved community destinations. This summer, it is among the city’s most important places.
That vision is fully alive this summer. At El Patio de La Casa, Newark families will find:
- Fresh produce and culturally familiar groceries at LCDP’s Farmers Market, held monthly this summer, with NJ SNAP, EBT, WIC, and Senior Vouchers accepted
- Safe, structured recreational activities and youth programs for children of all ages
- Community events, cultural celebrations, music, and entertainment reflecting the traditions and spirit of Newark’s community
- Free giveaways, health resources, and social services on-site during market days
- A welcoming, bilingual environment where families feel seen, celebrated, and at home
- Families who need additional support can also access LCDP’s adult education, homebuyers andf financia literacy workshops, immigration support services, and community food pantry at our Family Success Centers, as part of the same network of care that supports Newark families all summer long.
The need for a space like El Patio has never been clearer. According to the Afterschool Alliance’s America After 3PM 2026 report, 1 in 3 New Jersey children whose parents want summer programs cannot access one. The gap between what low-income families can access and what higher-income families take for granted, including structured activities, safe outdoor spaces, and enriching experiences, has grown tremendously.
For children in Newark’s Lower Broadway and North Ward neighborhoods, El Patio de La Casa is not a luxury. It is the solution to that gap.
- 800+ families served annually
- 4 farmer’s markets bringing fresh produce directly to Newark families this season
- Daily and weekly activities and recreational programs (music, outdoor cookouts, health resources, and more) during scheduled events.
Behind every market day and every evening of music and laughter at El Patio, there is a donor who decided that Newark families deserve joy, not just services.
This summer, we are asking you to be one of those donors. Give $150. Keep El Patio open all summer long.
- $150 — supports summer programming at El Patio de La Casa, because a safe and joyful summer should not be a privilege.
- $1,000 — become a Summer Sponsor of El Patio de La Casa, funding a full month of youth activities, family events, and community gatherings at Newark’s beloved outdoor community plaza.
P.S. The Farmers Market at El Patio de La Casa is open to the entire community.
