Judge, social worker, lawyer, policeman, entrepreneur, teacher, engineer — virtually every profession is represented by members of the MADE in Dover program that was based in the Baker Opera House some thirty years ago.
MADE stood for “Make a Difference Educationally.” In conversation, it was simply referred to as “MID.” For each of the eventual high school graduation years of 1995-2000, MID brought together a dozen young people who were at the time rising eighth-graders. Selection was with the guidance of Dover school counselors. About 85% of the members were Hispanic and virtually all were considered financially challenged. Some 17 countries were represented.
The objective was to couple success in high school with a look forward to college. Both during the school year and in the summer break, MID had multiple activities designed to provide experiences for its members. Inspiration for creative writing during the school break often came from natural surroundings, for example, Hedden Park. MID had a newsletter, aptly named by a student, “MIDtroplis News.” In addition to the regular collection of student-written articles, we periodically had a special writing day; at one, we wrote an entire edition of comments on and analysis of the many factors pertinent to immigration.
There were trips to see New Jersey Nets professional basketball games, or at least to see the opposition as the Nets were typically terrible. Partnering with Ed Nazarro, a Dover High School teacher, MID brought the play “Botanica” to Dover, selling out the auditorium on a winter night.
Participation in the various facets of MID earned the student points which had monetary value redeemable after high school for furtherance of their education and career aspirations.
MID was established by the WKBJ Foundation, which had been funded by anonymous Wall Street individuals. I was the Executive-Director, ably assisted by my wife. Following MID, WKBJ had several additional programs that challenged young people to aim higher, perhaps one level above either their expectation or that of their family. These efforts began at high school graduation and thus had somewhat different dynamics than MID.
WKBJ’s experience with making writing a key component did continue and for many years, it published a quarterly magazine called “Forum,” written by students and edited by myself. At times, there was a volunteering piece to a program that established a mentality that became lifelong for many of the participants.
Beginning with MID, our consistent approach was to meet frequently with program members. Many of the relationships established have continued literally decades later, testimony to a fundamental belief that we were supporting the whole person and cared about their path in life, their ability to achieve whatever constituted their dreams.
Recently, I was privileged to tour the old J.J. Newberry building and see the extensive development work that will convert the structure into a hybrid non-profit entity serving both artistic endeavors and multiple commercial tenants. Everything about it was impressive – the vision, the recognition of the many management challenges, the role its programs can play in the community. Flip the calendar back many pages and MID members and those of ensuing programs would have loved having access to what the new building will have to offer.
With the foundation having phased down, a half-dozen years ago WKBJ closed its Dover office. Nonetheless I am not a stranger to the town, meeting up with people at one of the many Dover restaurants or coffee locations. I have been aware of Dover’s physical revitalization. The image seems one of a unified community, even when that is not necessarily always the case.
Relatedly, from the time WKBJ established MADE in Dover, I always believed that Dover should not confuse itself through comparisons to neighboring locales, that instead it should say a proud “yes” to the label of being an Hispanic town.