AJR96

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

Assemblyman WILLIAM B. SAMPSON, IV

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

Designates July 30 of each year as "Clarence 'Coach C' Collins Day."

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

A Joint Resolution designating July 30 of each year as “Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day.”

Whereas, Clarence “Coach C” Collins, a beloved member of the Jersey City community who recently passed away, served as the At-Risk Youth Mentor at University Academy Charter High School at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, where he provided invaluable guidance and support to countless students; and

Whereas, Coach C, who began his career at the charter school as a volunteer two days per week to assist in the development of a program for at-risk youth, was subsequently hired as the first-ever full-time youth mentor and served at the charter school for 13 years; and

Whereas, While at the charter school, Coach C developed empowering workshops and seminars on topics such as academic excellence, employment, positive attitude, and the passion to succeed in life, which offer creative and inspiring solutions to problems encountered by youth in today’s complex and stressful society; and

Whereas, Coach C also became a liaison between the school and the community, bringing community members into the school to meet with students for lectures and job and internship connections. Many of the students have worked or still work for the City thanks to Coach C’s guidance; and

Whereas, In addition to his work at the charter school, Coach C served in one of the roughest areas of the City with the Department of Recreation, where he reformed the hiring process which consequently allowed him to connect youth from all corners of the City with internships in the department; and

Whereas, In addition to his work with the charter school and the Department of Recreation, as a community activist Coach C initiated a number of community activities, including the establishment of the Woodlawn Avenue Block Association with the purpose of bringing neighbors together for social support, activities, and community engagement; and

Whereas, Coach C also established an annual Father’s Day dinner at his home in order to expose young men who did not generally have a father at home to what a healthy household without anger or violence should be like. The dinner started with 20 attendees and quickly climbed to 60 as the years passed; and

Whereas, A devoted husband to his wife Elaine who was a daily inspiration, Coach C was also the proud father of three and grandfather of seven, who continue his legacy by embodying his values and principles; and

Whereas, On August 14, 2024, the City Council of Jersey City passed a resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Coach C, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the community and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the City’s youth; and

Whereas, Clarence “Coach C” Collins has had a profound impact on the Jersey City community, which is abundantly evident through the countless lives he touched and the legacy of compassion, dedication, and love he leaves behind; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. July 30 of each year is designated “Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day” in recognition of his outstanding work and contributions as a coach and mentor to the youth of Jersey City.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing July 30 of each year as “Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day.”

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates July 30 of each year as “Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day.”

Coach C, a beloved member of the Jersey City community, served for 13 years at the University Academy Charter High School at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, where he was a beacon of hope, wisdom, and unwavering support for the students. While at the charter school he developed various workshops and seminars designed to offer solutions to problems encountered by youth in today’s complex and stressful society. He also served in the Department of Recreation, where he reformed the hiring process which allowed children from all corners of the City to receive internships. He has been recognized for his extraordinary contributions to his community and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the youth of Jersey City.

Clarence “Coach C” Collins had a profound impact on the countless lives he touched in his community. The legacy of compassion, dedication, and love he leaves behind should be remembered and honored among all residents of this State.