Lesniak Institute 2022 Annual Report
Letter from our President
2022 was a year of accomplishments and challenges.
This year, my memoir Cultivating Justice in the Garden State My Life in the Colorful World of New Jersey Politics was released therefore the majority of the first half of the year was spent doing a New Jersey book signing tour among political friends, supporting non-profits, local restaurants, book stores and universities in the community.
We continued to support annual events including the RJL hope and recovery high school graduation, pride flag raising, DOGust, NAACP Freedom fund dinner, and of course, Operation Santa.
We were able to successfully put on 2 events around gun violence in the community and solutions towards prevention; March for Our Lives: Rally to Stop Mass Shootings & Gun Violence and No More Mass Shootings & Gun Violence: Youth Violence Prevention Symposium a Mental Health Roundtable to stop the stigma and start the conversation around mental health and a Disability and Higher Education Panel to ensure spaces of higher education are accessible for all.
Through our two Kean University courses we are able to continue to educate and empower the next generation to enact social change.
Our mission is to promote advocacy and train the next generation of leaders and 2022 was a year where we saw advocates across the nation organizing to become the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to supporting our young leaders in the new year as well as creating new ones. When it comes to causes, there is always work to be done and with the passion, we saw this last year- I have no doubt the work will continue.
Sincerely,
Raymond J. Lesniak
Testimonials
“NASW-NJ is proud to have partnered with the Lesniak Institute on several important issues, including efforts to bring the Wrap-Around Community School model to our state and rallies against gun violence. The depth of knowledge and dedication of the Lesniak staff we have worked with has been a boon to our members seeking more information on key public policy initiatives. Moreover, seeing younger professionals on their team so passionately engaged in solving the social ills facing our society gives hope for the future of New Jersey and the well-being of residents of our state.
Jeff Feldman
NASW- NJ Director, Advocacy & Communications
“In terms of how the Lesniak Institute has helped me, I would say that it taught me how to translate my strong commitment to public service into tangible actions. As a Rider student, it can be easy to believe that since I’m in college, there will be natural limits on what I can do to contribute to a cause. That being said, during and after my time with the Institute I have been able to advocate by utilizing my skillset in the communication arena. Valuable experiences during my internship such as helping to plan a virtual panel commemorating George Floyd, aiding in editing the website, and helping to teach constituents more about policy have helped solidify my future aspiration in Public and Government Affairs.”
Keyonna Murray
2021 PR and Social Media Intern
“Growing up and watching Senator Lesniak lead from the front. I am honored to be working side by side with him making a difference in our community.”
Shawn McClain
NAACP Elizabeth Chapter President
Our Mission
The Lesniak Institute for American Leadership is developing the next generation of American leaders by teaching the principles of effective advocacy, offering first-hand experience through its causes, and partnering with grassroots organizations.
Our Story
The Institute was founded by former NJ Senator Raymond J. Lesniak who realized the need for an institution that teaches action-driven advocacy in addition to awareness. On a mission to train the next generation of American leaders, since January 2018, The Lesniak Institute opened its first headquarters at Kean University in Union, NJ.
Leadership
Raymond J Lesniak
Founder & President
Sarah Mack
Executive Director
Brittany Macaluso
Policy & Advocate Coordinator
Kevin D Gonzalez
Administrative & Media Specialist
Board of Directors
Raymond J. Lesniak
Lori Kennedy
Judge Joseph Ascione
Grace Ascione
Janyce Wilson
Robert Martin
Dr. Ali Chaudry
George Castro
Programs
Interns
The Institute’s internship program was designed to give matriculated students the opportunity to learn valuable skills in their areas of concentration by involving them in ongoing Institute projects. Each intern is able to learn a wide variety of skills based on their identified interests. Interns showed increased knowledge of event management, nonprofit operations, effective advocacy, cause-related research, creating content, community outreach, and donor relations.
In 2022, the Lesniak Institute was able to accommodate five unique internship experiences.
Zion Davis
Brian Banaag
Katya Funes
Lauren Lamm
Kean University Courses
PA 1001: Civic Engagment and Public Service
This course is designed to give you an understanding of key concepts and frameworks of civic engagement and public service. Students learn how effective individual actions can affect social change, articulate the role of leadership and the role leaders play in social responsibility associated with civic engagement, identify social problems in the local community, facilitate community service experiences.
PA 2800: Public Social Movements
Students will learn the do’s and don’t of public advocacy as it relates to the legislative process, honing in on state, local, and federal issues. Opportunity to publish in major NJ online news papers, hands-on learning through projects, class trip to the NJ State House Capitol Annex, meeting with advocates and politicians.
March For Our Lives : Rally to Stop Mass Shootings & Gun Violence
June 11, 2022, Warinanco Park, Roselle: In light of the ongoing gun violence across America directly after the attacks in Uvalde, TX and Buffalo, NY. The Lesniak Institute and co-sponsors including Be the Change NJ, Moms Demand Action, Kean University Human Rights Institute, NASW- NJ, NAACP Elizabeth chapter and NJEA gathered the community to educate on the effects of gun violence and encourage them to contact legislators.
Pride Flag Raising
June 15, 2022, City of Elizabeth : The Lesniak Institute hosted its second annual pride flag raising in front of Elizabeth City Hall. Speakers at the event included: Mayor Christian Bollwage, Mayor of Elizabeth NJ; Rashaad Couloote, A Student leader from Kean University’s PRISM; Danni Newbury, Coordinator at Office of LGBTQ Affairs Union County; Brielle Winslow-Majette, Deputy Director at Garden State Equality; Jeremiah La Porte, Student at Elizabeth Stem Academy; Marlene Cruz, LAC, YES Program Youth Development Specialist at Trinitas Regional Medical Center; Sergio Granados; Union County Commissioner; Maria Carvalho, Board of Education Elizabeth Public Schools.
