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The Central Jersey chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs honored a few Asbury Park and neighboring area residents during its 54th Annual Founders’ Day Luncheon Celebration, held Sunday at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale.

With an edict of service before self, the group not only works to support the interest of professional women across all fields but also supports the advancement of area youth through annual scholarships.

“As an organization with a rich legacy that fosters the ideals of service above self, we realize that we must serve as an open resource to the community and provide charitable activities to enrich our community,” said Club President Brenda Sheree Terrell-Walker.

This year the awards were presented by Asbury Park Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton [at right], who was recognized the year prior for her service to the community.

“These outstanding individuals and organizations have made a practice of supporting and giving back to our communities,” Clayton said of the recipients. “It is our pleasure to recognize their support and dedication.”

Receiving the organization’s Community Service Award was Asbury Park Toy Drive Founder Connie Breech, a member of the Asbury Park Police Department.

Over the past 18 years, Breech and an all volunteer crew have provided toys and necessities to thousands of families through an annual Christmas holiday giveaway, as well as through a Back to School Drive. They also host annual Mother’s and Father’s Day essay contests, field trips, and other special events for the city’s youth; and emergency assistance disasters happen to families, Clayton said.

Club sister and Asbury Park municipal employee Cassandra Dickerson presented Breech with a proclamation from the governing body that read in part:

“The value of community spirit and service was instilled in her by her father, whose footsteps she has followed…” Dickerson said. “The passion to serve led Officer Connie Breech to partner with community stakeholders and service providers to positively to impact the lives of the community’s youth and families…she has inspired the community’s youth and families to pursue their dreams as a driving force and through her outreach efforts.”

Breech in holding back tears, said “I have to compose myself.”

“I’d like to thank everyone because in this type of environment it takes everybody to make a difference,” she said before thanking the club, her wife Angela, former Mayor Ed Johnson, AP Toy Drive board members Barbara Lesinski and Corey Lowell, and community partner Caroline O’Toole of the Stone Pony, who were all in attendance. “What a great partnership we have formed over the years. If anyone knows Asbury Park 18 years ago, it was tough; there was not a lot out there for our youth and it started from the gay and lesbian community and has blossomed throughout the whole community, in not Monmouth County and the state.”

Mychal Mills and Rodney Salomon, founders of Konscious Youth Development & Service [KYDS] were awarded with the newly developed Youth Nation Building Award, a recommendation that came from Clayton.

This 4-year-old nonprofit developed programs to help youth make better choices through holistic practices. They launched by hosting open mic events at Kula Cafe and Danny Clinch Transparent gallery in Asbury Park and Red Bank, but quickly expanded into administering programs in eight school districts across Monmouth and Ocean counties by 2017. They provide yoga, mindfulness and meditation programs and training; as well as a summer camp that helps youth manage their stress.

“They are passionate about teaching the correlation between healthy bodies to well functioning minds and a caring soul,” Clayton said. “Their social-emotional learning program in Asbury Park High School and Middle School is credited with reducing 1,000 in-school suspension by 80 percent within one year.”

The men hold advanced degrees from Monmouth University and quit their day jobs in 2017 to devote their time to the nonprofit. The pair said they were grateful for the community support, without which they could not advance to fulfill their dream of helping the next generation.

“Three and half years ago we made an observation in our community,” Mills said. “We’ve been seeing cycles of unconsciousness repeat themselves; the crime, the drugs, the gangs – they have been constantly repeating themselves. With that observation, we had the obligation to give back in our community.”

Neptune Township Deputy Chief Larry Fisher garnered the Professional Achievement Award, a nomination that came from Peola Smith-Smith a former member of the Neptune Board of Education.

Fisher, a Neptune native, rose through the ranks, beginning as a patrolman in 1988. His other honors include a Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Frank Pallone Jr, a recognition from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the recipient of Brookdale Community College’s Wilbur Ray Outstanding Community Service Award from the Wilbur Ray.

“My first encounter with this organization was not very good,” Fisher said to resounding laughs. “These women, they do not play. They are very passionate  and intense. Let me tell you, if you do not come correct, you will end up like I was; sitting in my car in front of the meeting room, shaking and wondering what happened.”

Asbury Park High School graduate Riley Armstrong of Toms River was given the Humanitarian Award for his annual 500-mile bicycle rides in a 7-day period in support of Anchor House, a support agency for abused, homeless, and runaway youth. Armstrong has fostered many children through the years, and has done rides in support of autism, food banks and for Bike For Beds, an organization in Haiti.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others [and the world] remains and is immortal,” he said in quoting Albert Pike. “This is the reason why I volunteer my time help raising funds for specific organizations that help families and specifically the young vulnerable children of our future.”

And the Community Health Service Award went to the Concerned Black Nurses of Central New Jersey, who have been working for 31 years to improve the health of individuals living in underserved communities.

The highest honor – the Sojourner Truth Award – went to retired educator Elizabeth White, a 47 year long member of St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Asbury Park.

“Let individuals make the most of what God has given them, have their neighbors do the same, and then do all they can to serve each other,” White said in quoting the woman behind the eponymous accolade.

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