NEWARK, NJ, June 18, 2025 – A shared commitment to community and service led to a meaningful partnership between Edge, a nonprofit organization that recently transitioned to a fully virtual workforce, and MENTOR Newark, a local organization dedicated to supporting youth through mentoring and empowerment programs.
When Edge found itself with available office space, it began the search for a subtenant. A mutual business contact introduced Edge’s Executive Director of Human Resources and Administration, Amy Olavarria, to Thomas Owens, Executive Director of MENTOR Newark. Olavarria elaborates, “We had been working with a realtor to sublease the space but couldn’t find a good match, until we were introduced to Thomas and learned about his organization’s mission and their need for a new headquarters,” said Olavarria. “I’ve met several of the young adults in the program, and they’re all so mature, motivated, and well-mannered. It’s inspiring to see, and MENTOR Newark is truly an incredible organization.”
Previously located in a lower-level space in the same building, MENTOR Newark had involved its students in renovating their former office, so the move came with some uncertainty. “Our students were deeply involved in creating the previous space, so I wasn’t sure how they would connect with the new one,” admitted Owens. “But when they walked in, they immediately saw the possibilities and were genuinely excited. They appreciated the new amenities, including the kitchen, private bathrooms, and most importantly, their own dedicated area called the Student Office.”
That sense of ownership was on full display during an open house in April 2025, where community members gathered to tour the space and meet the young leaders of MENTOR Newark. “People were moved, and saw the students taking responsibility for the space, engaging with guests, and leading parts of the event,” shares Owens. “There was dancing, laughter, and a strong sense of pride. When people learned it all came together through a partnership between two nonprofits, it left a lasting impression.”
For Edge, the partnership with MENTOR Newark was a natural extension of its mission and community commitment. “Edge is honored to have Thomas and his organization in this space,” adds Olavarria. “Even though MENTOR Newark and Edge are two nonprofits in different industries, we share a common goal: to help and serve the people in our communities and beyond. Working with MENTOR Newark is perfectly aligned with Edge’s brand promise of CONNECTED. COMMITTED. COMMUNITY. I attended their grand opening, and the atmosphere was one of home, community, and acceptance—regardless of age or background. It was a powerful feeling of unity and peace.”
About Edge
Edge serves as a member-owned, nonprofit provider of high performance optical fiber networking and internetworking, Internet2, and a vast array of best-in-class technology solutions for cybersecurity, educational technologies, cloud computing, and professional managed services. Edge provides these solutions to colleges and universities, K-12 school districts, government entities, hospital networks and nonprofit business entities as part of a membership-based consortium. Edge’s membership spans the northeast, along with a growing list of EdgeMarket participants nationwide. Edge’s common good mission ensures success by empowering members for digital transformation with affordable, reliable and thought-leading purpose-built, advanced connectivity, technologies and services.
About MENTOR Newark
MENTOR Newark is the New Jersey affiliate of MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership, and connects youth in Newark, New Jersey, to caring mentors who provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling. The organization collaborates closely with the Newark Board of Education to offer mentoring professional development to staff and support the implementation of a comprehensive district-wide student mentoring program. MENTOR Newark actively works with more than 40 local mentoring organizations, many of which run programs within Newark Board of Education schools. To learn more, visit www.newarkmentoring.org.
