By: Richard L. Smith
This St. Patrick's Day, The Honorable Mayor Andre Sayegh will honor former Governor James E. McGreevey as Paterson's Hibernian of the Year during the Irish Flag Raising Ceremony.
Governor McGreevey is the chairman of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC), a non-profit agency with a social mission to remove all barriers to employment for citizens returning from jail or prison.
According to Paterson City officials, the NJRC has been instrumental in helping thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society, providing services such as job training, mentoring, and counseling.
Under Governor McGreevey's leadership, city officials said the NJRC has expanded its services to include a focus on addressing the opioid epidemic and providing mental health services to those in need.
The organization's work has profoundly impacted communities throughout Paterson and beyond, helping to reduce recidivism and promote successful reentry for individuals who might otherwise struggle to find employment and stability after incarceration.
The flag-raising will happen around 10 a.m. at City Hall.