The Loft was created to amplify the youth voices of Paterson — New Jersey’s third-largest city and also one of its poorest — while also showcasing NJCDC’s transformative work and educating listeners about vital community resources. Designed as a platform for engaging conversations and heartfelt stories, The Loft provides a glimpse into the lives, challenges, and triumphs of those in our community — from youth participants and program staff to leadership and public servants.
New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) is a private, non-profit community development and social service agency dedicated to transforming lives in Paterson’s Great Falls Neighborhood. Founded in 1994 by Bob Guarasci, NJCDC has grown into a $17 million agency with 203 employees serving over 4,000 children, teens, and families daily. The organization focuses on education, youth development, affordable housing, and community-building initiatives.
Our primary goal with The Loft was to create a space where young people could share their stories, connect with the community, and explore opportunities for growth. The podcast serves as a bridge between Paterson’s youth and the broader public, offering a platform for self-expression, leadership, and civic engagement.
Through initiatives like Community Conversations — featuring discussions with New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs — The Loft ensures that critical information reaches those who need it most. Ultimately, The Loft stands as a lasting platform for empowerment, celebrating the power of youth voices and community collaboration.
Bringing The Loft to life was a collaborative effort rooted in NJCDC’s commitment to empowering Paterson’s youth. The idea for the podcast stemmed from the expansion of the Great Falls Youth Center, made possible through a $500,000 grant from the City of Paterson and the generosity of donors like Mrs. Marilyn Clark, who shares our vision of investing in the leaders of tomorrow. The concept was spearheaded by Eddie Gonzalez, NJCDC’s Director of Community Outreach, who recognized the potential of a youth-driven podcast as a platform for storytelling, education, and engagement. His dedication, along with the support of NJCDC leadership, was instrumental in transforming The Loft from an idea into a reality.
Our plan of action began with our creation of a state-of-the-art podcast studio within the youth center, ensuring that young people had access to high-quality recording equipment and a professional yet welcoming space. Leading The Loft is Danny Gonzalez Jr., a Paterson native and NJCDC program alum. Danny’s journey — from youth program participant to mentor, and now producer and host — embodies NJCDC’s mission. His firsthand experience with our programs allowed him to shape the podcast into an authentic and engaging platform that resonates with the community.
The execution of The Loft was guided by three key pillars: youth empowerment, community collaboration, and informative storytelling. Through 35 episodes, we have created a dynamic and multifaceted series that brings NJCDC’s mission to life. Episodes cover a wide range of topics, including youth-led discussions on pop culture, politics, and personal growth, as well as in-depth conversations with NJCDC leadership about programs that are changing lives. The Community Conversations special series, featuring key figures from New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs, provides critical insights into housing, eviction prevention, and utility assistance, ensuring that essential resources reach those who need them most.
While The Loft has been a resounding success, the project has not been without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was establishing the podcast’s presence and ensuring engagement from both youth participants and the wider community. Initially, some students were hesitant to share their stories or speak publicly, but with guidance from Danny and the NJCDC team, they grew more confident, finding their voices in the process.
Additionally, launching a professional-quality podcast required overcoming technical and logistical challenges. Training young guests on podcast production, managing scheduling conflicts, and ensuring consistent content quality all required creative problem-solving. Through collaboration and persistence, we developed a system that allowed The Loft to thrive while remaining youth-driven and community-centered.
What makes The Loft unique is its role as a platform for youth voices, its ability to connect policy with real-life impact, and its celebration of community collaboration. It is more than a podcast — it is a testament to the power of storytelling, the resilience of Paterson’s youth, and the transformative work of NJCDC. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to amplifying these voices and ensuring that the stories of Paterson’s future leaders inspire action, opportunity, and hope.
The success of The Loft is reflected in its ability to amplify youth voices, showcase NJCDC’s transformative work, and educate the community on vital resources. Since its launch last year, The Loft has released 35 episodes, providing a platform for young people to share their stories, discuss important issues, and engage with community leaders.
Our primary objective was to create a space where Paterson’s youth could develop confidence in their voices and connect with their community. This goal has been achieved through engaging discussions on topics like personal growth, pop culture, politics, and civic engagement. Programs such as Compete for Life and the Great Falls Youth Center have been brought to life through youth-led conversations, demonstrating how these initiatives empower students beyond the classroom.
A major success has been the Community Conversations special series, which bridges the gap between policy and the people it serves. By featuring leaders from New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs, The Loft has delivered critical insights on housing, eviction prevention, and other essential services, ensuring that residents are informed and supported.
Beyond numbers, success is measured in impact. Youth participants have grown more confident in expressing themselves and their concerns, residents have benefitted from timely and relevant information about valuable community resources , and a wide range of age groups from the Paterson community have viewed, listened to, and engaged with the content. The Loft has cemented itself as a vital platform for empowerment, information, and change in our community.
