Our Mission

The CARE Center of New Jersey exists to create strong families and flourishing communities. We champion an integrative approach to CARE within a collaborative framework.

Compassion

Empowering every individual with empathy and understanding, we're dedicated to nurturing a community where everyone thrives.

Action

Transforming goodwill into impactful deeds, we're committed to making meaningful changes in the lives of those we serve.

Resources

Providing comprehensive support with accessible resources, we're here to ensure no one has to navigate challenges alone.

Education

Enlightening minds and enriching lives through targeted education, we're fostering growth, resilience, and hope for a brighter future.

Our History

The CARE Center of New Jersey (CCNJ) is a 130,000-square-foot facility in Rockaway, New Jersey (under renovation) and is a branch of IMPACT Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The CARE Center draws its foundation from over 20 years of serving the needs of individuals and families hailing from local, regional, and global communities. As you peruse our site, please consider donating and getting involved, as we seek to serve thousands of families through The CARE Center, virtually and in person.

Virtual Tour

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Our Team

David Ireland

Chief Executive Officer

Ray Velez

Chief Operating Officer

Natacha Clesca

Chief Financial Officer

Bunmi Olayanju

Chief Strategy Officer

Dr. David Ireland is founder and lead pastor of Christ Church, a 10,000-member multisite congregation in North Jersey representing over 70 nationalities. Former diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association, Dr. Ireland has led chapel services for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and at the U.S. Pentagon. Dr. Ireland is the author of over 30 books including Raising a Child Who Prays and One in Christ.

The Rev. Ireland holds graduate degrees in engineering, theology, organizational leadership, and social innovation having completed post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cambridge in England. He and his wife, Dr. Marlinda Ireland, have been married since 1984 and have two adult daughters and a son-in-law.

A versatile leader with a rich entrepreneurial history, Ray Velez began his career on Wall Street by founding a trading firm specializing in equities, options, and derivatives. Under his leadership, the organization managed more than $35 million in assets. Currently, as the Chief Operating Officer of Christ Church, Ray has the privilege of serving a congregation of over 10,000 members across multiple locations, with a team of more than 90 employees. Additionally, he is the president and founder of an Orlando-area service business, a role he has held for over 20 years.

Ray's commitment extends beyond his professional roles. Formerly serving as the Men's Ministry Department Head, he is committed to seeing men empowered to assume leadership roles in their homes, communities, and families. Ray loves to coach soccer and serves as an elected official on the Board of Education in Maywood, NJ. Happily married to Brenda for over 20 years, he is the proud father of three children: Ethan, Evan, and Ella.

Natacha is a dedicated servant leader committed to justice and advocacy. As Chief Financial Officer of Christ Church and its affiliates, she draws on over a decade of financial management experience, including time on Wall Street, to ensure fiscal responsibility aligns with the organization’s mission. Her MBA further strengthens her expertise.

In West Orange, NJ, Natacha serves as Commissioner and Treasurer of Human Relations, promoting inclusivity and equity. She also founded New Jersey Women for Haiti, partnering with organizations to improve the lives of marginalized women.

Balancing her professional and community roles, Natacha is a devoted wife and mother of three. She enjoys family time and exploring cultures through travel, music, and dance, driven by a passion for empowering others and advocating for the marginalized.

Bunmi Olayanju is a strategic finance leader, adept at devising and driving organizational growth strategies. He has taken on roles with increasing responsibility over his career of more than 20 years, including senior management strategy and finance positions at Fortune 100 companies like Citigroup and American Express.

A fellow of the Black Venture Institute, Bunmi has a passion for connecting innovative ideas to capital for economic and social impact. His educational background includes a Bachelors in Computer Engineering (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria), MBA in Finance and Strategy (University of Maryland, College Park) and Executive Education in Venture Capital (UC Berkeley). He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Bunmi and his wife, Julia, are the proud parents of two sons, Joshua and David.

FAQs

The CARE Center will offer a wide range of essential services to support individuals, families, and the community at large. These 20-plus programs include food distribution, mental health counseling, a thrift store, free healthcare referral services through partnerships with off-site, private medical practices, support for foster children and youth in crisis, a center for racial & cultural reconciliation, small business capacity building, financial empowerment, and ESL programs. Each service is designed to provide comprehensive and sustainable support to ensure needs are met across various aspects of life.

Counseling Services at The CARE Center will be provided by licensed counselors who are professionally credentialed to treat adults, teens, and children. These highly trained individuals are equipped to address a wide range of mental health concerns, ensuring that all members of the community receive expert care and guidance tailored to their specific needs. This approach ensures that every person in need can access professional, compassionate support.

The CARE Center of New Jersey is designed to offer integrated services aimed at addressing multiple needs within the community. Programs include mental health counseling, food distribution, youth development initiatives, legal clinics, financial literacy workshops, job training, and parenting support for special needs children. By integrating a suite of some 20 programs, The CARE Center ensures that individuals and families receive the comprehensive assistance needed to overcome persistent challenges. This holistic and innovative approach not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term stability, ultimately strengthening the entire community. The CARE Center's mission is to provide resources that help uplift and empower those most in need.

Yes. Christ Church and The CARE Center of New Jersey are fully committed to financial transparency. We voluntarily undergo an annual audit by an independent accounting firm to ensure integrity and accountability. This rigorous practice reflects our dedication to maintaining clear, responsible financial practices and ensures that all funds are used effectively for the benefit of the community.

No. The CARE Center, like Christ Church, is committed to serving all individuals and families, regardless of religious belief, background, or ethnicity. Our mission is to uplift and support the entire community, ensuring that needs are addressed with care and compassion. We believe in exhibiting love without discrimination.

No. We do not currently have the full $30 million, but we are actively and successfully working towards that goal. We aim to raise $10 million from our dedicated supporters. We expect to obtain $15 million through grants and are prepared to secure a $5 million loan, if needed. This plan reflects our firm commitment to seeing this project through and ensuring long-term benefits for the community. We welcome your contribution as a valued member of our community.

Many of the programs Christ Church has supported for decades are facing unprecedented demand. After a year-long listening tour with over 100 organizational leaders and frontline workers from various sectors serving New Jersey’s marginalized communities, we identified an urgent need for long-term infrastructure to tackle these growing challenges. The CARE Center of New Jersey was created specifically to meet this need, offering scalable, sustainable support that can effectively serve families in need across the state.

The CARE Center’s long-term sustainability is a key priority. We have integrated revenue-generating initiatives, such as a thrift store and a center for racial & cultural reconciliation, to help fund the non-revenue generating programs. This hybridized nonprofit model ensures that we can continue providing critical services like mental health counseling, legal support, and food distribution for years to come. This approach reflects our commitment to both meeting immediate needs and maintaining long-term impact, making The CARE Center a stable and sustainable resource for the community..

Yes. Christ Church does pay property taxes. Although we qualify for a tax exemption under New Jersey law, which allows up to five acres of land per building to be tax-exempt, we have been contributing to property taxes for the past 15 years. This has amounted to several million dollars, demonstrating our commitment as responsible neighbors within the community. For anyone interested in the detailed, factual data regarding our tax contributions, this information is publicly available through the local Tax Assessor's Office, where our tax record history can be reviewed.

Any additional questions or topics of interest are welcome. Please feel free to direct them to us at Info@CareCenterNJ.org. We are happy to assist you and provide any additional details you may need.