07 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO JOINS WITH LATINO CLERGY MEMBERS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
Published on April 7, 2021
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced a partnership with Latino clergy members to encourage residents in black and brown communities to receive the COVID-19 vaccination during a press conference at the Essex County COVID-19 Vaccination Center at Essex County College in Newark.
Joining the County Executive at the event were pastors, clergy and church representatives, including Rev. Leslie Ramos, Sonia Ramos, Rigoberto Vega and Jesenia Rodriguez from La Hermosa Church in Newark; Bishop Victor M. Sanabria, Pastor Priscilla Sanabria, Jonathan Berrios and Marlene Varela from Fuente de Vida Church; Rev. Gisela Figueroa from Temple Rock of My Salvation in Newark; Father Luis Vargas from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Newark; Father Jorge Acosta and Lillian Pichardo from Our Lady of Good Council in Newark; Pastor Israel Borrero and Pastor Jazmyn Borrero from Iglesia Pentecostal Hombres y Mujeres in Newark; Rev. Carmelo Figueroa from Iglesia Cristiana La Hermosa in Newark; Rev. Francisco Martinez from Palabra Verdadera Church in Newark; Rev. Emanuel Piere from Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Liberacion in Newark; Rev. Ruben Sanchez from The Sower Pentecostal Church in Newark; Rev. Carlos Perez from New Community Church in Newark; Rev. Ariel Torres from Iglesia Monte Sinaí in Newark; Rev. Cándido Pérez from Iglesia Nueva Criatura en Cristo in Newark and Rev. Roberto Comesanas from Grace and Kingdom Christian Center in Newark.
“We want to make sure that anyone who wants to take the vaccine has access to it when their turn is called. People hold their religious leaders in high regard and often turn to their faith leaders for direction when they have concerns about things happening in their communities. By partnering with leaders from our faith-based community, we are hoping to demonstrate to residents how safe getting the vaccination is,” DiVincenzo said. “Our efforts will only be successful if at least 70 percent of the population receives the vaccination and herd immunity is developed,” he added.
“Black and brown communities in our urban areas were the most affected during the pandemic. Many are essential workers, working in restaurants or supermarkets. While the vast majority of the population stayed home, they went to work. We thank the clergy for partnering with us to get the message out and to assure their congregations that vaccinations are safe,” NJ State Senator and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
Referring to a Bible verse, Rev. Leslie Ramos, Pastor of La Hermosa Church in Newark, said, “People perish because of the lack of knowledge. I am encouraging our community to get vaccinated because getting vaccinated is safe and best way to put an end to the virus. We must continue to keep our guard up and continue with protocols for the betterment of our lives.”
“God has given us these vaccines to defeat the virus. I have been vaccinated and I feel more confident. I encourage our community to get vaccinated,” Father Jorge Acosta of Our Lady of Good Council Church said. “
“I am a COVID survivor and I have been vaccinated,” said Rev. Gisela Figueroa of Temple Rock of My Salvation in Newark. “It’s important that we get vaccinated for the health and safety of our families,” she added.
“I had COVID and they told me I am immune. I’m not sure about immunity, but I do trust vaccines. This is the right way to go and it’s a safe undertaking,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
“The virus is alive and well and the vaccines are the kryptonite. We are proud to join with the clergy to help us defeat this virus,” Board of Commissioners President Wayne Richardson said.
“Joe D. has been there every step of the way. He is making vaccines available for everyone and he is putting what’s important to us first,” Newark Councilman Luis Quintana said.
As of Monday, April 5th, Essex County has administered 137,440 first doses and 85,736 second doses of the Moderna vaccine and 5,222 doses of the J&J vaccine. Essex County began administering vaccines on December 26, 2020, and was the first county in New Jersey to open vaccination sites.
Essex County is operating five vaccination centers. The locations and the municipalities served at each site are as follows:
- Essex County College, 303 University Avenue, Newark (Gym entrance on West Market Street): Newark, Belleville, East Orange, Irvington and Orange.
- Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology, 498-544 West Market Street, Newark: Newark, East Orange, Irvington and Orange. (This site will open in January 2021.)
- Former Kmart building, 235 Prospect Avenue, West Orange: West Orange, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Montclair, Newark, Nutley and Verona.
- Livingston Mall, former Sears building, 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston (Entrance is in the back): Livingston, Belleville, Maplewood, Millburn, Newark, Orange and South Orange.
- Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology, 620 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell: West Caldwell, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Newark, North Caldwell and Roseland.
Residents of Newark will be able to make an appointment at any of the five sites because of the size of the city’s population.
Essex County College, the Kmart building and the Sears building are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The West Caldwell School of Technology is open Monday to Saturday from 12 Noon to 7 p.m. The Donald Payne School is open Monday to Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Essex County also reaching out into the community to ensure all segments of the population have access to getting vaccinated. Outreach initiatives include the following:
- hosting mobile vaccination centers at area houses of worship, community centers and senior citizen residential buildings;
- busing senior citizens to its vaccination centers and opening the Branch Brook Park Community Center in the Steve Adubato Complex as a vaccine site dedicated to serving senior citizens;
- opening pop-up vaccination clinics at homeless shelters, boarding homes and organizations that assist vulnerable population;
- scheduling special late afternoon hours to provide vaccines to teachers and school support staff; and
- partnering with Essex mayors and local health officers to identify and administer vaccines to homebound residents.
Residents can make appointments at www.EssexCOVID.org or by calling 973-877-8456. Vaccinations will be given in two doses. Residents making reservations to receive the vaccination will receive two appointments. It is critical that residents attend both appointments.
Residents will be asked to provide their medical insurance information and their insurance provider will be billed $40 for the first dose and $40 for the second dose of the Moderna vaccine and $40 for the single dose of the J&J vaccine. If a resident does not have insurance, the cost of the vaccine will be covered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provide Relief Fund. There will be no out-of-pocket expenses charged to residents.
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