Newark Launches 'Love Your Block' Program on Valentine's Day 2026

The initiative provides up to $5,000 in grants to community groups for neighborhood beautification and sustainability projects.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The City of Newark has announced the launch of the 'Love Your Block, Newark!' program on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2026. The resident-driven initiative partners community groups with city departments to support neighborhood beautification projects that strengthen environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and community pride. Through the program, Newark community groups can apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursement-based grant funding, along with technical assistance and capacity-building support.

Why it matters

The 'Love Your Block, Newark!' program empowers residents to take action on local issues and build cleaner, greener, and more resilient neighborhoods. By investing directly in community-driven projects, the city aims to strengthen the bonds that hold the community together while advancing its citywide sustainability and resilience goals.

The details

The program is seeking innovative, volunteer-powered solutions to local challenges rooted in sustainability and resilience. This year's enhancements include a focus on sustainability and climate resilience for all funded projects, rolling grant decisions, an extended project implementation period, a mentorship program for new grantees, and integration of past and new grantees into the Office of Sustainability, Resilience and Community Transformation's broader initiatives.

  • The Love Your Block, Newark! 2026 program will launch on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • The application portal will be open from February 14 to March 31, 2026.
  • Grantee orientation and the project implementation period will run from May 6 to September 2, 2026.
  • The Love Your Block, Newark! Celebration Event will take place on February 11, 2027.

The players

Ras Baraka

The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey.

Nicole Hewitt-Cabral

The Chief Sustainability Officer of Newark, New Jersey.

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What they’re saying

“The Love Your Block, Newark! program reflects what makes this city strong—residents who care deeply about their neighborhoods and are ready to lead. By investing directly in community-driven projects, we are empowering Newarkers to build cleaner, greener, and more resilient neighborhoods while strengthening the bonds that hold our city together.”

— Ras Baraka, Mayor (Patch.com)

“Love Your Block, Newark! is about turning local ideas into real, visible change. From climate resilience to neighborhood revitalization, this program helps residents take action on the issues that matter most to them while advancing our citywide sustainability and resilience goals.”

— Nicole Hewitt-Cabral, Chief Sustainability Officer (Patch.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The 'Love Your Block, Newark!' program demonstrates how a city can empower residents to take an active role in building a more sustainable and resilient community, strengthening local pride and engagement in the process.