Great Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS), a high performing Newark-based public charter school system, announces it has partnered with The Nork! Project, a Newark art and apparel brand, to further build upon its strong community.

As part of this collaboration, The Nork! Project hosted a workshop at Great Oaks Legacy High School during its Day of Belonging, which provided students with an opportunity to explore their own sense of belonging in the city. During the “Newark is for…” workshop, students were asked to reflect on what they most identify with and how they feel they fit in Newark. Students collaborated with one another and reflected on ways to create a stronger sense of community within their classrooms and beyond. The students also created their own “Newark is for…” shirts and added personalized messaging to share their favorite part of the city. All of these initiatives built upon the strong community established at GOLCS by bringing the students together and forging their unique perspectives under one common love of the city.

“Over the 11 years I have worked at Great Oaks Legacy and lived in Newark, I have experienced the city’s vibrant culture, resilient spirit, passionate people and endless potential,” said Jared Taillefer, Executive Director at The Great Oaks Legacy Charter School. “From day one, we have prioritized the importance of community involvement for our students, which we have accomplished through various initiatives, including the recent planting of the first street tree in Newark with Senator Cory Booker. We have deepened our partnership with The Nork! Project, and I can’t thank them enough for participating in our Day of Belonging.”

“It was such an honor to be invited to Great Oaks and participate in their Day of Belonging,” said Gabriel Ribeiro of The Nork! Project. “With The Nork! Project I try to forge a visual language of hometown pride and for people in Newark to feel as if they are a part of something. It was great to teach the students about the history of the brand, its range, and see the kids ponder on what they identify with and what they wanted to say and brazenly wear on their chests.”

The Nork! Project was founded in 2017 and offers quality goods and cultural activations surrounding the City of Newark. The project has since expanded and now ships items from its online shop to over 35 states, including Hawaii.