OUR

MISSION

TRANSFORM · IMPACT · CONNECT

Serving the City of Passaic, New Jersey since 1981

MISSION

Through active advocacy, United Passaic Organization provides low-income families a chance at equitable rebirth by providing restorative resources for sustainable living. We seek to build and partner with people throughout Passaic and surrounding communities to elevate families and help fortify their next steps into a better quality of life.

VISION

United Passaic Organization is the one-stop-shop for eradicating poverty in the City of Passaic and surrounding areas. UPO’s goal is to be the first stop for clients seeking assistance in the Greater Passaic Area as a trusted Community Hub providing resources and services addressing all of the community’s needs.

UPO giving tablet to the citizens of Passaic, NJ

HISTORY

The organization was incorporated in 1997 by an interfaith group of clergy and laypeople, who wanted to improve the quality of life in Passaic by addressing issues of common concerns. In 1997, UPO was declared a Community Action Agency as a soldier in the War on Poverty receiving support from federal Community Service Block Grant funding. Over the years, the organization has developed a strong track record of effective service on behalf of the community’s residents.

Say to the Team!

Dr. Janelle C. Hall

Executive Director

“We are not put on this earth for ourselves but are placed here for each other.

If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.”

- Jeff Warner

Growing up in the City of Passaic, I had my dealings with harsh realities and unexpected circumstances. My family and I were frequent clients at local social service agencies such as the United Passaic Organization (UPO), however, agencies like UPO were there to make sure that worry was only short-term. Life has a funny way of coming full circle and fast forward to October 2021, I wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me and my family; I accepted the Executive Director position at UPO.

My connection to the City of Passaic is the driving force for my passion and after seeing first-hand the impact that UPO can have on the wellness of Passaic County families, I know that the sky is the limit at what my staff and I can accomplish for our community.

Our focus is on building UPO back better. Not only do we want the City of Passaic to know that UPO is still here to serve them, but we also want them to know that the best is yet to come as we focus on our three pillars; Transform, Impact and Connect.

Our rebrand started with a redesign of our logo that spoke to our end goal of helping our clients reach self-sufficiency from multicultural, global, transformation, impact, and connectivity perspectives. We created a logo that is identifiable. When people see our new logo they will recognize that this is the new UPO, a Community Action Agency that is here to help transform their lives for the better.

The new UPO has transformed into a community hub providing services and crucial information from a trustworthy source. No matter what a client’s needs are, UPO is here to help guide them through making educated decisions on what will best help themselves and their families. Whether the service or program is offered at UPO or the client is warmly referred to one of our many dedicated partner agencies, UPO will be right by their side through whatever process benefits them most.

As someone that has spent a large majority of my life in the City of Passaic and Passaic County, I have an allegiance to this community and am honored to serve it as the Executive Director for the United Passaic Organization.