Increasing the Black Women’s Voice Through Advocacy
Black women have such a powerful and graceful force. They have led many political and social movements while leading their community. Centuries later they still worked to abolish numerous difficulties Black women were facing in their communities. Equal and…
How Helping Animals Helps Us
Animal cruelty is a matter that is constantly over looked and pushed aside in our justice system today. Passing the Courtroom Animal Advocacy (CAAP)A1965/S2211 bill through the New Jersey legislature would not only help animals gain representation in the…
Lesniak Testifies to Amend Wrap-Around Community Schools Bill
Closing the Infant and Maternal Mortality deficit through policy advocacy The following was read into record in front of the Assembly Education Committee Hearing on September 22, 2022, regarding bill A1168, which Establishes a five-year community schools pilot program. Thank…
Labor day: The fight for a day off
In the late nineteenth century, labor activists took to the streets to make their contributions to America’s strength known. These activists wanted the day to be a federal holiday for a day of rest. The true meaning of Labor…
The Other States Have Something to Learn From New Jersey Leadership in Terms of Gun Violence Prevention
Yesterday in New Jersey Governor Murphy signed 7 new bills making this his 3rd gun safety package since taking office in 2018. One of the most instrumental parts of the new package is required training for anyone who wants…
Non-Lethal Deer Management Options in New Jersey
Allow municipalities the opportunity to implement non-lethal deer management options. Assembly Bills A4182 and A4183 were discussed at the Assembly Agriculture Committee meeting Monday, June 13th. They do two main things: They allow the use of bait for the…
Social Work Month 2022: the Time is Right
By Brittany Macaluso According to the NASW( National Association of Social Workers), the theme for Social Work Month 2022 is The Time is Right for Social Work. The time is right for social work because of people like you and me. People who’s small…
Bill S783 Will Benefit New Jersey: Here’s Why We Support It
As New Jersey continues to face an opioid epidemic, Bill S783 aims to provide a piece of the solution. This bill, introduced in January, will establish the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund and the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund…
Sharing Black Stories: 7 Must-Watch Movies and Shows
In honor of Black History Month we are sharing Black stories by rounding up 7 must-watch movies and shows that highlight black voices, specifically, stories of those whose activism has made, and continues to make, an impact today. While…
New Backpack Initiative Helps Support ReNew Reentry Participants
Since October of 2021, the ReNew Reentry Court in Newark has supported a new Backpack Initiative led by Brittany Macaluso and Henry Wilson-Sadlowski along with two participants who have provided frequent guidance. The stresses that result from having to gather basic necessities…
5 Animal Welfare Films: Change the Way You Think About Animals
by Samantha Hogan Animal welfare is one of the Lesniak Institute’s top priority causes. From banning the shark fin trade to stopping the cruel use of animals in circus performances, our advocacy efforts in NJ continue to make a…
The Recycled Content Bill: Immediate Call to Action
by Keyonna Murray A recent surge of startling environmental trends which include an influx of extreme weather incidents have resulted in increased concern in regards to climate change. An issue that has historically been relegated to being the burden…
Animal Protection Hopes for 2022 | Op-ed
2021 was not a good year for advances in animal protection legislation in New Jersey, hopefully 2022 will be different. When I was in the State Senate, I was optimistic New Jersey would be “The Humane State.” While we’ve…
Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide: Tis the Season to be a Responsible Shopper
By Samantha Hogan Searching for sustainable holiday gifts this year? We’ve got you covered! We’re breaking down some great places and ways to shop responsibly this season. Purchasing sustainable gifts, and supporting small businesses doesn’t have to be difficult or…
Giving Tuesday: 5 Ways to Give Back
By Samantha Hogan GivingTuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The global generosity movement started in 2012 to encourage acts of kindness. The movement was created to help the “giving season” get started, reminding people that there is much more to…
Cost of Care Legislation: An Opportunity to Right a Wrong and Save the Animals
By: Maggie Garbarino For too long, we have allowed animal shelters and taxpayer dollars to cover the costs of caring for court seized animals without charging their abusers a dime. This outdated practice depletes animal care facilities’ resources and…
Indigenous People’s Day: 5 Advocates You Should Know About
Happy Indigenous People’s Day! Here in New Jersey, the topic of renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day is highly contested. As of writing this blog, only Newark and Princeton currently recognize this day as Indigenous People’s Day. The…
Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Three Inspiring Change Makers
The Hispanic population in the United States has faced a long road on their march towards equity and fairness. Treading that path of discrimination and violence is all too familiar to other minority groups in the United States. Their…
Mental Health Courts: the Need to Reevaluate it in Our Criminal Justice System
By: Brennan B. Sumner A pressing issue facing our society today is the role our justice system plays in its effect on vulnerable communities, like the criminalization of mental Illness. Those diagnosed with mental health issues are too often…
State Senator or Congressional Senator… What is the difference and why should you care?
By: Abel Morais Senator Lesniak, Senator Booker, Senator Menedez, and Senator Weinberg, what do they all have in common? They all hold the title of Senator and are all from New Jersey. Sure, they are all Democrats, but that…
The Freedom Summer Proves Knowledge is Our Greatest Weapon
By: Paige Fleming The pen is mightier than the sword. An old adage, this saying has been heard time and time again to mean that knowledge is our greatest weapon. No more does this ring true than during…
One Year Later: A Reflection on George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and the Future
By: Keyonna Murray It’s one year. One year since the murder of a man from Minneapolis, Minnesota changed the course of America forever. At the beginning of 2020, the sudden arrival of COVID-19 forced millions of…
NJ Needs Zero Emission Trucks
The following contains Senator Raymond J. Lesniak’s testimony at the DEP hearing on May 20, 2021 for Advanced Clean Trucks Program and Fleet Reporting Requirements. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Governor Murphy and…
Third Anniversary of Legal Sports Betting in NJ
On May 14, 2018, while in the locker room at Suburban golf course, I received a call from Monmouth Racetrack CEO Dennis Drazin who told me the United States Supreme Court had upheld my legislation authorizing sports betting in…
Top 6 Bills Targeting Environmental Issues
By: Maggie Garbarino It is important this Earth Day to reflect on the most pressing environmental protection issues of our time. Currently, human activity is on track to do significant, permanent damage to our planet and it is our…
Community Cats Need Compassion, Not Euthanasia
By Nicole Marchione Can you imagine streets filled with hundreds of roaming cats? This is what you should envision will happen if a Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (TNVR) program is not put in place in municipalities such as…
This Boy is my Brother
By: Keyonna Murray There’s a young boy in Northern New Jersey who was born in the mid-2000’s. With a bright smile and a contagious joy, he was always a person who brought some much-needed perspective to his family. In…
World Down Syndrome Day: How a Mothers’ Personal Story Continues to Make a Difference
By: Maggie Garbarino Every year, World Down Syndrome Day is observed on March 21st, a date symbolically chosen to represent the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Advocates in New Jersey, and all over the country,…
Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Creating New Models for Building Successful Neighborhoods
Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Councilwoman-At-Large, City of Elizabeth, is a career public servant who embodies the principles of biblical teachings and practical delivery of professional public services to her community, constituents and business interests in and around the City of Elizabeth,…
Senator Weinberg, Breaking Down Barriers
New Jersey Senator Loretta Weinberg is retiring this year after serving in the Senate since 2005. She was first elected to public office on the Teaneck Township Council in 1990, completing her council term in 1994. She served in…