E-Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 2
Culinary School Alumni Open a Restaurant
"Opening a restaurant in Paterson is our dream come true," agreed Chefs Marco Rivera and Juana Rivas. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of Wasiyki Restaurant on Main Street in Paterson, on May 16. Wasiyki, means "welcome to my house" in the chefs' native dialect; its menu specializes in seafood and traditional Peruvian dishes. The husband and wife team, graduates of The Culinary School at Eva's Village, are the first alumni to open a restaurant. After graduating from Eva's Culinary School, the chefs returned to Peru for a month-long course to refresh their traditional cooking skills.
View the menu.
Moms' Writing Group Hosts Open Mic Night
The Moms' Writing Group hosted the first Open Mic session one evening this spring. A dozen poets, musicians, rappers and storytellers performed for an audience of more than 50. Since the group formed 7 months ago, it has become safe space where moms in recovery can share their stories, express their emotions, and bond together. The women live with their children in Eva's Hope Residence while they receive medical and mental health care, recovery treatment, and supportive services. The group plans to host monthly open mic sessions.
View a slideshow of the event and read poems submitted by Eva's community during National Poetry Month.
Seeing Hope Through a Child's Eyes
Creating art can harness powerful emotions that may be difficult for a young child to express in words. Drawing and painting can help kids process and communicate feelings related to trauma from homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and the effects of addiction in their family.Throughout 2018, teaching artists and volunteers facilitated weekly after school workshops for the children, living with their mothers at Eva's Village, in order to promote emotional healing. You can see the joy and pride these children express in their artwork and in their faces.
View their creations, displayed at our annual benefit gala.
Volunteers Discover Unexpected Benefits
“We look forward to Thursdays and we marvel at the unexpected benefits," Barbara Bandstra (L), shown with a client (R), told the group gathered at Eva's annual spring volunteer appreciation event. Six years ago, she and her husband, Alan, signed up to serve in Eva's Community Kitchen on Thursdays. The group of Thursday volunteers have grown close - "We share joys and sorrows with the volunteers and clients alike - We pray for each other; it feels a lot like a family," she said. “We realize how easily we could end up on the receiving, rather than the giving, side of the equation," added Alan. Learn more about volunteering.
Upcoming Events
Annual Golf Outing L. Robert Keller Memorial Golf Tournament Monday, June 17, 2019
Canoe Brook Country Club, Short Hills, NJ

Join us for a BBQ lunch followed by day on the golf course, a cocktail hour and awards dinner, raffles and prizes. Register on-line today. Visit our event page and view the invitation for sponsorship and registration details. Email Joey Mazza, or call (973) 523-6220 x 235 with questions.
The Tasting: An Evening with Master Chefs on the Hudson Thursday, September 16, 2019
Batello Restaurant, Jersey City, NJ

Sample palate-pleasing gourmet dishes, created by New Jersey's top chefs, against a magical backdrop of city lights along the waterfront Check our event pages for updates! Email Joey Mazza, or call (973) 523-6220 x 235 with questions about sponsorship and registration.
Saving and Changing Lives Since 1982