About Us

The Simuel Whitfield Simmons Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and access of resources for families and youth residing in New Jersey.  Through outreach and several programs, the organization seeks to break the cycle of poverty by empowering families and youth to achieve self-sufficiency.

Founded by Natasha Rodgers, SWS honors the legacy of the late Rev. Simuel Whitfield Simmons.  Rev. Simmons founded Humanity Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, and was committed to providing much needed resources to his community.  It was his commitment that inspired now CEO/Founder Natasha Rodgers to establish the organization and continue in his humanitarian footsteps.

Select one of the links below to learn more about the Simuel Whitfield Simmons Organization:

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THANK YOU JP Morgan Chase for building these two bikes for our youth, you made their day!

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SWS 2023 Backpack Giveaway

 

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH to ALL of the Sim!uel Whitfield Simmons Organization Supporters who helped make this year Back to School Drive a HUGE Success. We couldn’t have help these many children without your support THANK YOU! Sending a HUGE THANK YOU TO United Way, St. Martin de Porres Society of St. Matthias, both of our Anonymous donors, Corie Mogenis, Debbie Meade, Susan Giordano, Maria Grace, Taddei, Lisa Daily and Deb Faillo.

 

 

 

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Scholarships

Financial Assistance to continue Educational Goals

The Alona C. Simmons Scholarship Fund

Financial assistance for education is available for low-income high school seniors pursuing a college education, for high school dropouts prepared to reenter the school system to pursue a GED or a trade, and for single mothers hoping to advance there educational careers.

The fund is named in honor of Alona C. Simmons who passed away unexpectedly November 7, 2010.  Alona was the daughter of Simuel Whitfield Simmons, for whom the SWS Organization is named, and the mother of Natasha Rodgers, SWS Executive Director and Founder.  Alona began volunteering by her father’s side in the 1960s, helping less fortunate people in Newark, New Jersey.  Her charitable work continued throughout her life.  She was committed to the SWS Organization since its inception, paying special attention to SWS’s youth programs.  To honor and cherish her memory, the SWS Scholarship Fund has been aptly renamed after Ms. Simmons.

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Family Assistance

 

Baby Supply Bank

Expectant and new mothers are provided with free items such as baby food, formula, diapers, baby cereal, baby furniture, and more to help babies get the best possible start. These supplies also help expectant and new mothers nurture themselves and their babies so that the time from pregnancy through infancy can be a special occasion.

 

 

 

 

Furniture Donation

Furniture is a “big ticket’ item that many in the community cannot afford. Through our donor network, we locate the furniture items needed, and match individuals or families with donors. Donated items include beds, couches and sofas, dining sets, dressers, and more.

 

 

Clothing Donation

Through clothing drives, we collect clothing for school-aged children, families, and men and women re-entering the workplace. Clothing is distributed throughout the year. We also hold special monthly give-aways between April and November. Needy members of the community can attend the give-away and take what they need for free. Give-away items include: clothing, shoes, toiletries, and even household items.

 

Food Donation

Each week, at least three families in our community are given a week’s supply of groceries and toiletries. Grocery items include hot and cold cereal, canned goods, bread, pasta, condiments, rice, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and more. Getting food to the neediest helps ensure that families get a nutritious meal in the morning and a hot meal before bedtime and children have their basic food needs met.

 

 

 

Holiday Drives

We have a Thanksgiving Basket Drive that provides families with food to create a complete Thanksgiving holiday meal. Baskets include a turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, vegetables, rice, bread, and dessert. During the December holidays, we have a Holiday Gift Drive. During the season of giving and sharing, less fortunate children and families in our community receive new gifts and toys from our donors. Some of these children may never get a gift otherwise. We also create an opportunity for children in our donor families to give back by volunteering to distribute the gifts.

 

 

 

Christmas Distribution

Thank you Dwight Gooden ( Baseball Giant Doc Gooden) for supporting SWS this year. Thank you Dwight for coming to distribute gifts this year, the children absolutely LOVED YOU!❤️ #SWS #AlonaC.Simmons #SimuelWSimmons #MarySimmons you designed an EMPIRE! Pray we continue to represent you well in all we do#TeamSWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Youth Support Programs

Back-to-School Drive

We collect a range of school supplies to donate to needy school-aged children in the community. We supply notebooks, pencils, pens, dictionaries, calculators, backpacks, highlighters, scissors and more. These supplies help ensure that students have the tools necessary for a successful school year.

 

 

 

 

Prom Gown Program

The Prom is eagerly anticipated by many high school seniors, but not by those who do not have the means to purchase formal wear. The Prom Gown Program has two components. The first component involves custom made dresses given to selected students in our youth programs. A professional seamstress/designer makes and donates the dresses. The second component provides gently used prom gowns and suits that are distributed to students at a local high school.

 

 

 

Who Am I?

At-risk boys aged 10-14 and 14-18 are taught how to make good choices that will shape their future. Participants are mentored in basic life skills such as: how to properly wear clothes, do laundry, and tie a tie, and how to be successful in school and in the workforce. Participants are also invited to attend networking events in the community where they meet individuals who can support them in achieving their goals.

 

 

 

Youth Night Out

Thank you State Theater for Giving our youth a night out on the town, they had a ball. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tutoring Group

In this partnership with Rutgers/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, youth aged 12-17 are provided with free homework help.  Our youth are matched with medical school students for one-to-one tutoring sessions held twice a week at the medical school.  Transportation to and from the medical school and a healthy light meal are provided.

 

Science Health Day

 

In this partnership with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, our youth aged 12-17 are given a first hand look at being a doctor or a nurse for a day.  Youth wear lab coats while they tour the medical school.  They observe different procedures being performed, learn more about the human body, and are introduced to the wide variety of medical professions.  Transportation to and from the medical school and two healthy meals are provided.

 
 

Vision Without Boundaries, Bridging the gap between our youth and law enforcement. 

Our Vision Without Boundaries programs provide academically promising, underprivileged youth the opportunity to succeed in school and contemplate careers outside their realm of experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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