By: Olivia Palker ‘24, Feature Staff Writer

On Friday, December 9, the Community Service Council held Newark Academy’s annual Holiday Party in partnership with the Apostles House, a nonprofit organization that provides social services in Newark, NJ. The Apostles House works to provide food, clothing, safety and medical care, to address housing insecurity, and to provide emergency shelter and short-term housing to families in Newark. NA has worked closely with the Apostles House for a number of years, throwing the Holiday Party every year to allow students to develop interpersonal social skills while serving the community. 

At this year’s Holiday Party, Newark Academy welcomed 135 people from the Apostles House for dinner, activities, and gifts. First, students decorated the dining hall with holiday decorations, Christmas trees, and banners to create a warm and exciting atmosphere. Dr. Hagen and his ensemble performed, Nathan Choi ‘24 played Christmas songs, and the chorus sang Christmas carols for the families to enjoy. Then, the students served the guests a dinner of salad, bread, spaghetti and meatballs, and an assortment of desserts such as brownies and hot chocolate with marshmallows. Families were also able to take home to-go boxes of food for the holidays. At the end of the dinner, Mr. Robinson dressed up as Santa Claus so that the kids could take photos with him. 

Anya Vashisht ‘24 said that the Holiday Party was “an event which everyone could enjoy and have a warm meal with the hopes of relieving some stress for those who live in the shelter.” 

Once dinner was over, NA students set up a daycare center for the younger children. In the college office, the young kids made arts and crafts and played with toys. The older kids were able to participate in many other games and activities, including playing in the open gym, where they played basketball and bowled, among other activities. 

Each child was given three “tickets” to pick out donated gifts as well. Saira Rajparia ‘24, said, “I had the opportunity of helping all the kids pick out presents in the ‘present room.’ I loved listening to all their little stories, but more importantly, it was so heartwarming to see that every single kid selflessly spent their three tickets on their siblings, parents, aunts, grandparents, etc., even when they had the opportunity to buy three gifts just for themselves.” 

One of the Apostles House’s guiding principles is to provide living space that is homelike. Newark Academy was hoping to create a “sanctuary” for these families as the holidays are especially hard for the homeless population. During a cold and bitter time of year, most families spend time indoors together, eating warm food and exchanging gifts. Homeless families struggle much more this time of year because many parents cannot afford to buy gifts or even celebrate the holidays because of a lack of shelter and financial assets. NA students strived to create this feeling of the holidays for the Apostles families so they, too, could enjoy it.