The Work-life Insight
Cynthia Renta to lead Educational Arts Team
The Educational Arts Team has appointed Cynthia Renta as its new executive director. Renta takes over the role from outgoing interim director, Betsy Vorce. Vorce assumed leadership of the organization in June 2021 upon the retirement of Carmine Tabone, the Team’s previous executive director and co-founder.
As Educational Arts Team’s executive director, she will lead planning and execution for all programs and activities – including the popular Camp Liberty summer program – ensuring that all adhere to the organization’s principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Renta’s mandate includes building relationships with key stakeholders in Hudson County government and community with the objective of furthering programming, funding and advocacy.
A native of Jersey City, Renta joins the Team from the Center for Supportive Schools where she has worked for the past six years, most recently as senior community school director. In this role, she directed the community school strategy across five schools in Jersey City. Prior to that, Renta also directed the Newark YMCA (Jersey City based satellite office), implementing 21st Century Learning Centers’ after-school and summer camp programming that served children and families across Jersey City. She has more than 20 years of experience creating, producing and directing community-participatory art programming as an artist, teaching artist and non-profit leader in Jersey City, the California Bay Area, and New York City. She has primarily focused on social equity, creative placemaking, youth development, restorative practices, and parent and community engagement.
Renta’s hire is right ahead of Camp Liberty’s opening on June 27 where she will be on hand to meet campers and their parents. The camp’s sessions run until Aug 19 for children and teens between the ages of 6 and 15.
WorkSocial announces Jersey City HQ expansion
WorkSocial, provides coworking spaces in New Jersey and New York offering private, shared and virtual offices and flexible solutions that match the individual needs of businesses, is expanding its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor.
The expansion brings the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase the company’s number of for rent private office space , day offices, co-working spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks. About 3,000 square feet of the new expansion space has already been allocated to a nationally recognized business.
Since the company’s inception in 2015, WorkSocial has expanded its real estate portfolio from 4,400 to 18,000 square feet and has seen 100-percent organic growth year over year.
New Thai restaurant in Jersey City
JerseyDigs.com recently reported that a new Thai restaurant, Kinsen, has opened in Jersey City on the ground floor of 80 Wayne St. The restaurant has dine-on services with menu items under $20. Kinsen is open seven days a week from noon until 9:30 p.m. and can be found on Instagram at @kinsenjerseycity.
Harrison branch of Kearny Bank has new manager
Kaywal “Andy” Ganesh, a Jersey City resident, is the new assistant vice president / retail relationship manager at Kearny Bank’s Harrison branch. In this role, Ganesh is responsible for day-to-day operations at the 534 Harrison Ave., location, including all aspects of client experience activities, operations, and sales development.
He comes to Harrison from Kearny Bank’s Hoboken branch, where he served as retail client experience manager. Prior to joining Kearny Bank, Ganesh was a senior relationship banker with another financial services institution. In addition, he has experience working within the online banking sector.
A Hudson County Community College graduate, Ganesh is actively involved in his community. He founded and is president of the New Jersey Mariamman Kovil Corp., while also being a member of the United Madrassi Association.
Weichert, Realtors’ cites associates for achievements
Weichert, Realtors has announced that two top-producing sales associates with the Jersey City Exchange Place office were recognized for outstanding industry achievement at the regional level in May. Brian Anthony Lopes had the most revenue units and sales in the Weichert sales region. Christopher Amberg had the highest dollar volume in May.It was also announced that at Weichert’s Jersey City Downtown office, two top-producing sales associates and a top team were recognized for outstanding performance in May. The Jersey City Downtown office, which is managed by Robert Sanchez, led the Weichert sales region in five categories: dollar volume, dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions, listings, revenue units and sales. Individually, Barbare Rofsky had the highest dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions in the region and Rajshree Banerjee had the most listings. Among teams in the region, the Nader Rezai Team led the Weichert sales region for dollar volume, listings, revenue units and sales in May.
Also, the Bayonne office and a top-producing sales associate were recognized for exceptional sales achievement at the regional level in April. The Bayonne office, which is managed by Jacqueline Greco, had the highest dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions in the Weichert sales region for the month. Individually, Sanjay Mittal led the region in the same category.
Food truck to open restaurant in Jersey City
The seafood food truck known as Angry Archie’s is planning on opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Heights neighborhood in Jersey City sometime later this year, according to a report from jerseydigs.com.
Angry Archie’s began in 2015 when it was founded by chef Chris Curado and his cousin, Michael Ponte, and it has been a part of Jersey City’s Smorgasburg and Hoboken’s Pier 13 among other Hudson County locations.
The announcement came from their Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/p/CewsT6trCMV/), which says that the new restaurant will find its home at 565 Palisades Ave., Jersey City, in the Fall 2022 season.
Hoboken pizzeria expands to Jersey City
Basile’s Pizza, located at 89 Washington St., Hoboken, is planning on opening its second location in Jersey City, according to a report from jerseydigs.com. The pizzeria will find its first Jersey City location at the Grove Street Path Plaza at 116 Newark Ave. and will be replacing El Barrios Burritos. Jersey City’s Historic Downtown Special Improvement District made the announcement on their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/p/CewJH29r8HT/.
Three Thirds Cafe opens on Jersey City’s West Side
Three Thirds Cafe is now open on the ground floor retail space in the 3 Acres luxury rental community located at 400 Claremont Ave., Jersey City. The new eatery has been introduced to the neighborhood by the team behind Amelia’s Bistro, a restaurant in Jersey City’s Paulus Hook.
The café features local goods with beans sourced from Modcup coffee roasters and baked goods from Baltazhar Bakery. In addition to offering classic caffeine induced beverages like coffee and cappuccino, there are season-specific specialty drinks. The food menu consists largely of breads, pastries scones, muffins, and waffles. The cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Three Thirds Cafe is part of an onsite retail experience at 3 Acres that will also soon feature The Lobby Bar and Table at 3 Acres restaurant.
NY Waterway service returns to Port Liberte in August
NY Waterway announced the restoration its Port Liberte ferry service beginning Monday, Aug 1. The ferries will offer direct service from the Port Liberte development in Jersey City to Paulus Hook and Wall Street, with connecting service to World Financial Center and Midtown.
The route has been suspended since 2020 due to the pandemic. NY Waterway is restarting service on a trial basis between August and October and will assess future service based on ridership.
As part of the relaunch, NY Waterway will offer Port Liberte residents a 10 percent discount on tickets and passes, available through the Port Liberte Homeowners Association. NY Waterway and the Homeowners Association will work together to promote the discount directly to qualifying residents.
Ferries from Port Liberte will stop at Paulus Hook in Jersey City and proceed to Pier 11/Wall Street. Riders can transfer at Paulus Hook for free connecting service to World Financial Center and Midtown. Full Port Liberte ferry schedules and fares can be found at nywaterway.com/PortLiberte.
The pandemic changed life as we know it, with people isolating and weathering the storm of the pandemic - primarily alone or with an intimate circle of family and friends. The concepts of resilience and survival were turned on their heads, and people felt they had to go it alone. But before a deep dive into building resilience, it is pertinent to ask… What is resilience?
Meaning of ‘Resilience’
Resilience can be defined as an individual’s ability to adapt to their circumstances and “bounce back” from situations that hamper the journey to their ultimate goals.
From this definition alone, it is clear that resilience is a subjective concept and can hold myriad meanings. However, one thing is clear… one must be resilient to progress. It would be overreaching to say that an individual can be resilient in all fields of their life. But there are fields well-within control, such as professional and work environments.
Resilience at Work
Workspaces give an individual a chance to find positive, resilient role models, engage in social interactions, and diversify their social circle. Resilience in the workplace has a trickle-down effect. A resilient employee works better, can handle tasks more effectively, and contributes to a better work environment. Coworking spaces, such as WorkSocial, allow interaction with people from all walks of life - each of whom brings diverse experiences to the table. In turn, such social interactions can improve an individual’s resilience and ability to handle situations.
How to Build Resilience at Work
‘Resilience’ isn’t a linear construct and encompasses attitudes, thoughts, and actions. Here are a few days to build resilience while keeping these avenues in mind.
- Have Personal Goals
Create a list of goals outside of the ones stipulated by work. It can overlap with work but should be geared towards personal development - even in the workplace. For example - a goal can be to be more communicative with coworkers.
- Develop Secure Attachments
It is vital to depend on coworkers for support - both for work-related guidance and emotional reinforcement. However, it is essential to be attentive while choosing said support systems. Be mindful of their behaviors, commitments to work, and the kind of support they provide.
- Be Firm with Boundaries
Being resilient has much to do with health - both mental and physical. An overworked individual is in no place to stand tall against challenges thrown at them each day. Be aware of limitations and be realistic about timelines.
- Cut Out the Bad Stress
Not all stress is the same. Good stress, or ‘eudaemonic stress,’ is a motivational factor that leads to peak performance. Bad stress, or ‘distress,’ does the opposite and leads to health issues and burnout over time. Keep the stress to a minimum and focus on the good.
- Take Breaks
Taking a break isn’t limited to a stretch and a cup of coffee. It also involves switching the mind off and indulging in something like a short walk or a brief moment of meditation
- Take Breaks
Taking a break isn’t limited to a stretch and a cup of coffee. It also involves switching the mind off and indulging in something like a short walk or a brief moment of meditation.
- Be Mindful
As the name suggests, being mindful refers to being engaged and aware of thoughts and actions. It is acting after thinking rather than reacting thoughtlessly. Mindfulness toward others and having conscious interactions helps build a resilient self.
- Make Health a Priority
Physical health affects mental health and vice versa. Along with being mindful and giving the mind a break… do the same for the body. Exercise and nourish the body, and the mind will follow.
In the wake of the pandemic, most employees have shifted to working from home. As a result, people find themselves disengaging from others and working solo. In such cases, working from a coworking space is beneficial as it facilitates interaction and allows for meaningful engagements. A sense of community resilience comes into play where no individual tackles unpleasant feelings alone. People working beside each other also have the opportunity to share collective learnings and provide support to each other.
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Resilience
- What are some ways to take a break at work?
Listening to guided meditations and an effective way to combat stress. An alternative is to take a short walk outside before returning to work.
- What happens if you’re not resilient?
Those who have difficulties being resilient may find that minor issues or problems bother them; they often fixate on the problem rather than the solution or feel burnt out and cranky.
- Where to start if you’re not feeling resilient.
A surefire way to build resilience is to build meaningful relationships. This can be with friends, family, coworkers, or even new people. Meaningful engagements add a sense of purpose to life.
- What are some simple ways to be mindful?
Set an intention for the day first thing in the morning - it ensures that you spend your day with purpose. Another simple way to be mindful is to enjoy eating mindfully. Switch off distractions and focus on your food
Sources -
https://hbr.org/2016/06/627-building-resilience-ic-5-ways-to-build-your-personal-resilience-at-work
https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/resilience-in-the-workplace/
https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-in-the-workplace/
As human beings, we tend to have short-term memories and forget our past. Therefore the adage, “Those who cannot remember their history are condemned to repeat it,” is taught to all of us as schoolchildren. This advice is just as applicable to the corporate world as it highlights the importance of understanding the evolution of processes, systems, and overall work culture philosophies. Most young people today cannot believe that as recently as twenty years ago, most companies kept physical records of all their documents and often had huge rooms dedicated to this need alone. Similarly, individuals of a younger age have trouble believing that until the advent of computers, the vast majority of jobs in the world involved blue-collar work, meaning that physical labor was the most critical aspect of one’s job. Think about one of the most common blue-collar jobs you can imagine: working on an assembly line in a factory. In this sort of scenario, a worker was literally a resource that was only of value when they were physically present and performing their duties on the line. The concept of work-from-home had no meaning because any and all work could only be performed on the factory floor. However, even with the advent of the computer age, when jobs started to become less physical-labor-intensive, the idea of working from the comfort of your home was far from a reality. Being physically present at your workplace was not only expected, but attendance was mandatory. The human resources division would quickly pull you up if you missed more than a few days. The pandemic changed all of this; as individuals were forced to work from home, the entire world realized that maybe there was a more innovative and better way to work.
The Shift From Human Resources To Human Relations
The pandemic led to many unforeseen situations, and the corporate world had to adapt quickly. However, several unique changes took place that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the future of global work culture. As employees started to return to their workplaces, employers saw the benefit of creating hybrid work models, where individuals could come into the office on some days and continue to work from home on other days. The result was a win-win situation for everyone…employers saw that there was a visible increase in productivity, creativity, drive, employee satisfaction, and so on; employees realized that they could create a much healthier work-life balance and, in so doing, find a much deeper sense of purpose, and a much higher degree of mental health. In essence, the human resources department shifted its philosophy from being ‘resource oriented’ to being ‘relations oriented.’ Expressed in simple words, this means that HR departments across the world saw a marked shift from thinking about how to get the most out of a given employee resource and instead focusing on other things such as employee wellness and satisfaction. By doing this, it was observed that the outcomes were better for the employees and the company. It is simple, if you think about it, right? Happier employees make for better workers, and better workers produce better quality work at a better efficiency, which only leads to better outcomes and profits for the company.
The Ascendance Of The Hybrid Model
Another significant consequence of the ascendance of the hybrid working model has been that companies do not have to invest huge sums of money into physical locations any more. Since employees only need a physical location to work out of on selective times and dates, the eco-system of co-working spaces has grown by leaps and bounds in order to meet this need. In times past, when a company said that they were shutting down their physical office space, it was something that spelled doom, and usually implied that the company was about to go out of business, or had in fact, already gone out of business. Today, when a company shuts its physical office, it is usually a sign that they are moving from a human resources model to a human relations model, where they value their employees work-life balance and mental well-being. Co-working spaces like Worksocial have been at the forefront of this trend, and are always looking to help organisations transition into the new age of corporate work, with the hybrid work model being of utmost importance.
Conclusion
If you are running your own business, or if you work for the HR department of a company, you will surely have noticed the trends that we have discussed in the article today. As is always the case in history, those who see change coming, and embrace it, rather than try to run away from it, are the ones who are most successful in the long run. So if you have not already transitioned your company’s physical location to one of the co-working spaces available in your area, consider doing so sooner rather than later, and make sure that you are on the right side of the history of corporate evolution.
Unique Corporations with Headquarters in Hoboken and Jersey City
Famously, Hoboken was known for being the home of the Maxwell’s Coffee plant as well as the birthplace of zippers and baseball. It’s home to many local businesses, recording studios, and shops, but some companies that have garnered international acclaim are actually headquartered in the Hoboken and Jersey City area. From clean beauty to cupcakes and everything in between, here are some unique corporations with headquarters in Hoboken and Jersey City.
AvePoint | 525 Washington Boulevard #1400, Jersey City
AvePoint is a company offering software as a service (SaaS) and data management platform, is headquartered in Jersey City. Its primary operations center is in Richmond, Virginia. It helps move, organize, and protect data in Microsoft 365. What’s more, it has over 9 million cloud users. Its goal is to help make companies more productive, compliant, and secure.
Bear Mattress | 720 Monroe Street c508, Hoboken
Family-owned business Bear Mattress jumped onto the scene 25 years ago. The company designs mattresses built for performance: it hires athletes, chiropractors, and fitness coaches to ensure the mattress optimizes physical activity. The result is a mattress that improves sleep quality and aids in recovery.Read More: A List of Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Hoboken + Jersey City
Carlo’s Bakery | 631 Grove Street, Jersey City
Of course, Carlo’s is one of the most well-known businesses in the area. The Hoboken storefront gathers lineups from international visitors, but the head office is actually in Jersey City. Located in the Lackawanna Center, the Jersey City head office makes sure all of the magic happens in Hoboken and around the globe.
Happy Box | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken
Happy Box was founded by two sisters who would help cheer each other up when they were younger with little gift boxes. Happy Box’s goal is to make gift-giving fun, personal, and easy. The company puts together unique packages to help make the special people in your life smile. Though the company is small, its headquarters are proudly based in Hoboken.
Hudson Space Systems | 1400 Adams Street, Hoboken
Hudson Space Systems is certainly a unique company. Based in Hoboken, it provides what it calls microgravity as a service. Its goal is to make manufacturing and research in microgravity as simple as possible by enabling access to and removing barriers from microgravity environments not available on Earth.
Kipling | 525 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City
Kipling is a bag brand that offers handbags, luggage, backpacks, and more. It is headquartered in Newport Tower. Each piece is made with lightweight, quality materials and is designed to celebrate individuality. The brand is big on inclusivity, too, and often participates in initiatives to highlight marginalized and underserved communities.
Marty Gottlieb Photography | 720 Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Hoboken
Internationally-famous photographer Marty Gottlieb is a Hoboken resident, and he manages his business out of the Monroe Center for the Arts. He’s photographed many celebrities and has even been featured on fellow New Jersey icon Wendy Williams’ television show. He’s also photographed many Mr. America contests — and he’s actually the official photographer for the competition.
Partake Foods | 25 Park Lane, Jersey City
This Jersey City-based food company makes vegan and gluten-free cookies. The cookies are also completely free of the top 9 allergens, making these snacks a great choice for almost anyone. The company was founded by Denise, a proud woman of color, who additionally founded a fellowship program that mentors HBCU students.
Payaru | 38 Jackson Street, Hoboken
This clean beauty company is headquartered in the Mile Square. The non-toxic, eco-friendly company offers skincare — including face scrubs and face oils — that are good for the skin and good for the earth. The manufacturing is done right in the United States and handled at the head office on Jackson Street.
RSVLTS | 300 Observer Highway, Hoboken
Pronounced Roosevelts, this clothing company is headquartered on Observer Highway. Though the headquarters are currently temporarily closed, the brand is most certainly not. RSVLTS makes clothes inspired by pop culture, paying homage to everything from Luke Skywalker to the WWE. Each piece is bold and fun and helps the wearer show off their personality.See More: Places in Hoboken + Jersey City to Work From Home
WorkSocial | 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor, Jersey City
WorkSocial is a coworking space company in New Jersey and New York. WorkSocial is headquartered in Jersey City and recently announced an expansion of its JC headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400 square feet. This means the Jersey City spot will grow its number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms.
ZOKU | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken
ZOKU is a national Hoboken-based business co-owned by Chris Green, Yos Kumthampinij, and Ken Zorovich. The company focuses on home products designed to make life easier. From drinkware, food storage, and ice pop molds to recipe books, kids products, and an eco-friendly collection, ZOKU has so many products to choose from.
Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Hoboken + Jersey City. Among the local headlines: the Hoboken City Council approved a one-year contract for the community to use the pool at Stevens; Jersey City is set to receive $426K to beautify the community; Drag Queen Story Hour returns to the Hoboken Public Library; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Hoboken Early Voting Underway for Primary Election
In-person early voting for the Tuesday, June 7th Primary Election is available until 6PM on Sunday, June 5th. Registered voters can cast their ballot in person, using a voting machine in the conference room on the first floor of Hoboken City Hall. Residents can also cast their ballot at their registered polling place on Tuesday, June 7th from 6AM to 8PM.
Salt + Ginger Opens on Grove Street in Jersey City
A new restaurant has taken over the former spot of Wild Fusion. Salt + Ginger,a new Chinese eatery, has opened at 313 Grove Street in downtown Jersey City. The location joins several other restaurants on Grove Street across from Jersey City Hall, within a short walk from the Grove Street PATH station. The restaurant is still in its soft opening stages, but it’s already a hit among the community. Click here to read about Salt + Ginger, now open in Jersey City.
Jersey City’s New Thanh Hoai Closes Permanently
New Thanh Hoai, located at 234 10th Street in Jersey City, has officially closed as of Tuesday, May 31st, per Jersey City Upfront. The restaurant featured an extensive menu including pho and short rib noodle soup.
City of Hoboken Kicks Off Pride Events on Monday
Starting at 5PM on Monday, June 6th, the City of Hoboken is kicking off a series of events for Pride Month. The first event includes a flag raising at City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street. Click here for the full list of events.
Peruvian + Italian Fusion Restaurant ‘Ragazzo’ Opens in The Heights
Ragazzo Restaurant, an Italian and Peruvian eatery, recently opened in The Heights in Jersey City. Ragazzo is more than a fusion restaurant — it’s a partnership between a mom from Peru who loves to cook and an Italian man from a popular pizzeria in town. Click here to read about Ragazzo Restaurant, located at 3417 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival Returns to Arts District
The Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City is scheduled to be full of music this weekend, per NJ.com. On Sunday, June 5th, local bands will play live music on two stages set up in the lot at 107 Morgan Street. Before becoming an annual event, the Jersey City Jazz Festival began in 2013 as a community concert.
2 Hoboken Farmers Markets Officially Open This Week
Two city-run farmers markets will be officially opening for the season next week. The Southwest Park Farmers Market is brand new and it will be open on Thursdays starting on June 9th. The Church Square Park Farmers Market returns for its 26th season on Tuesday, June 7th. Click here to read more about these farmers markets.
City of Hoboken Signs One-Year Contract to Use Stevens Pool for Residents
On Wednesday, June 1st, the Hoboken City Council voted on a proposed one-year contract to use the pool at Stevens Institute of Technology. According to Patch, users must be Hoboken residents and vaccinated against COVID-19. As of right now, an opening date has not been set. Click here to read more about what we know.
Police + Bystander Revive Man Aboard Train at Hoboken PATH Station
Port Authority Police and a bystander saved a man in a medical emergency onboard a train, per Tap Into. The incident happened at the Hoboken PATH station on Thursday, May 26th. The police officers and the bystander, who was a physician’s assistant, were able to revive the man and transport him to Christ’s Hospital in Jersey City.
Jersey City Receives Over $426K to Beautify Neighborhoods
Jersey City is set to receive over $426K to remove litter and beautify the community, per Tap Into. This money comes from a Clean Communities grant. This is just one grant that will be given in New Jersey as The Department of Environmental Protection distributed more than $21.4 million in Clean Communities grants.
Jersey City to Vote on New Public Library Branch Location
On Thursday, June 16th, the Jersey City Council will vote on the possible location for a new branch of the Free Public Library, per Jersey Digs. A newly finished development located at 297 Johnston Avenue in Jersey City has 8,000 square feet of ground floor space the city acquired the rights to. The council will vote on whether or not this space is ideal for this specific project.
World’s Largest Ice Cream Eating Contest Happening in Hoboken On 6/12
The “Mile Square Meltdown” ice cream festival will be on June 12th and it will also include the “largest ice cream eating contest in the world,” per Patch. More than 160 people have signed up to compete. This event will be part of the monthly Artisan Market run by Main Street Pops. The ticket sales will be donated to the Hoboken Family Alliance in order to help support the annual summer food drive.
Hoboken Continues Paving Roads: An Update
Hoboken is continuing to pave roads, per Patch. They recently repaved 14th Street as a part of the city’s 2022 Resurfacing and Complete Streets Program. For more information on the construction schedule for the city, you can click here.
Hoboken’s BookBike is Back to Lend/Return Library Materials
Hoboken’s BookBike will once again be hitting the streets this month, per Tap Into. This bike will begin to be out twice a week and it will lend and return library materials, share wireless internet, and even issue library cards. The first day it is out will be June 6th at Pier A Park on 100 Sinatra Drive.
$25 Million Loan Approved to Refinance Hoboken’s ShopRite
JLL has arranged a $25 million loan for the refinancing of a shopping center, per Rebusiness Online. Grocer ShopRite, located at 900 Madison Avenue in Hoboken, will be fully leased by the time the loan closes. The loan carries a 10-year term and a fixed interest rate.
Jersey City to Establish Early Dismissal on Hot Days
Jersey City Public Schools’ Interim Superintendent Norma Fernandez says that she is hoping to establish a policy that will allow for early dismissal on hot days, per NJ.com. This helps keep students and teachers out of the sweltering classrooms. Out of the 46 buildings owned by the school district, 33 of them do not have air conditioning.
Jersey City Night Market is Back at City Hall
The Jersey City Night Market returns to help the community support small businesses, per NJ.com. The first night market of the year was on Saturday, June 4th from 4PM to 10PM at the City Hall Lot on Marin Boulevard and Montgomery Street. This event is open to the public and free of charge.
JLL Receives $88 Million Loan for Urby Development
Journal Square’s spin on the Urby development has been given a major financial push to finish the job, per Jersey Digs. Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets recently announced they closed on an $88.34 million loan. This project will include 317 units and span 25 floors once it is complete.
Drag Queen Story Hour Returns to Hoboken Public Library
The Hoboken Public Library will be kicking off Pride Month with a Drag Queen Story Hour, per Tap Into. Harmonica Sunbeam will be reading stories, telling jokes, and singing songs at the DQSH on June 8th starting at 10:30AM in Church Square Park. The library says the story hour is open to children of all ages and that registration to the event is required. Click here to see other pride events in the area.
Hoboken-Based Culina Health Secures $4.75M in Funding
According to a press release, Culina Health announced it has secured $4.75M in funding. Based in Hoboken, Culina Health offers personalized, science-backed virtual nutrition coaching from local experts. According to PR News Wire, Culina Health is the only platform in the market providing clinical-level, integrated care management in a scalable and cost-effective way.
Hoboken Parking Enforcement Officers to Wear Body Cameras
The Hoboken Police Department will be expanding the use of body cameras beyond just police officers. Parking enforcement agents will now also wear body cams as part of a two-month pilot program. During this period, several of the city’s parking enforcement officers will be wearing body cams while on duty. You can click here to read more about this initiative recently passed by the Hoboken City Council.
Prisoners from Cumberland to be Transported to Hudson County Corrections
Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Kearny will begin accepting inmates who were formerly housed in the Cumberland County Jail, per Tap Into. This follows a decision that was made in late December.
Lokal Eatery + Bar in Jersey City Expands Open Hours
Lokal Eatery + Bar, located at 2 2nd Street in Jersey City, has announced an expanded schedule which means more time to enjoy great food and an even better view. According to Instagram, the bar will be open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30AM to 2PM. Reservations can be made online or by calling 201-222-6800.
902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival Happening in Late June
The 902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival will be happening this summer. According to this Instagram post, the festival will take place on June 25th at the brewery. There will be vendors, food trucks, and music including Steel Press, Viktor.Digital, Sean Tobin + The Boardwalk Fire, Jackson Pines, Widely Grown, and Grateful Dead Jamboree.
Woman Referee from New Jersey Joins NFL Refs
Referee Robin DeLorenzo will officially be joining the NFL as one of three women referee professionals, per NJ.com. The Instagram post reads, “Robin DeLorenzo! 👏 The Nutley native got her start reffing high school football games here in New Jersey in 2004. This fall, she’ll be one of 3 women referees on the field in the National Football League.”
Bombay Tea Rooms Announces First Collaboration
The Bombay Tea Rooms announced its first-ever collaboration happening later this month. The post reads, “Manasi takes the traditional Afternoon Tea and gives it a whirl of spices and flavors. Come and experience the taste sensations of our first Bombay Tea Rooms.” The first event will be held at the Stingray Lounge in Hoboken on Saturday, June 11th. Seatings are at 11AM + 12:30PM. The second event will be held at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit on Sunday, June 26th. Seatings will be at 11:30AM + 2PM.
WorkSocial Coworking Space Expands Jersey City Headquarters
According to a press release, WorkSocial is expanding its Jersey City Coworking Space headquarters. This new development will expand the existing space to 14,000 square feet, increasing the number of rooms available to reserve for coworking. WorkSocial will continue to offer the amenities such as secure server access, shipping + mailing, an onsite notary, complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch services, and beverages + snacks.
Hoboken Girl Scout Receives Gold Award
Amanda Tennaro was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, per a press release. This Hoboken Girl Scout was awarded the highest, most prestigious and challenging award for a Girl Scout to obtain for her work in establishing the pet food pantry with the Hoboken Community Center to help serve clients. Amanda is part of Girl Scouts Hearts of NJ.
First Round of Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund Grants Announced
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined City Council members and the Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee to announce the first round of grant funding through Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund. According to a press release, they gave out nearly $900k in grants to provide support to 89 artists and arts organizations throughout Jersey City. This first round of grants will include opportunities for programming and arts education.
Memorial Event Honors Late Jersey City Musician
On Friday, June 3rd, friends gathered to celebrate the life of Charles “Chuck” Daly, a much-beloved tattoo artist, musician and DJ in Jersey City. Chuck passed away on March 13th. The event featured a memorial concert at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City where friends and ex-bandmates paid tribute to Chuck’s contributions to the local music scene.
WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York, announced the expansion of its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th floor. WorkSocial's latest expansion grows the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase...
WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York, announced the expansion of its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th floor.
WorkSocial’s latest expansion grows the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase the company’s number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices and conference rooms — with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks.
Three thousand square feet of the new expansion space has already been allocated to a nationally recognized business.
“As a resident and business owner in Jersey City, I couldn’t be more proud to expand the office space of our headquarters,” said Natasha Mohan, founder and CEO. “This marks a new milestone of growth for our company, and the expansion of our services to business owners and entrepreneurs in the New Jersey and New York metro areas.”
Bringing over 20 years of diverse experience in hospitality, management, retail, real estate and artistry, Mohan culminated her talents into leading WorkSocial, a company that she refers to as “a movement of happiness.” Mohan founded the company with the motto “Connect. Create. Grow,” and connecting people has become her “superpower” that her clients rely on.
The feng shui incorporated throughout the architectural and interior design amplifies both the simplicity and functionality of the space.
What sets WorkSocial apart is the personalization of its services to not only be functional, but meet the individual needs of each business.
“When a client’s birthday comes up, we’ll arrange for a cake for them. Gluten-free or other dietary restrictions? We will provide you with a nutritious lunch that meets your needs accordingly,” Mohan said. “These personalized services are what makes our clients look forward to coming to the office.”
The world of work is ever-evolving, and the ‘work is work’ principles of then have no standing in the future of remote work. However, you would be surprised to know that ideas such as ‘work is what you do to make a living so you can make money and do other things, like buy a house and raise a family,’ are part of a philosophy that dominated most people's outlook on life till as recently as a few decades ago.
In the past 20 years or so, the corporate world has shifted its focus towards what we would call human-centricity. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Why don’t we begin by defining what precisely human centricity is, and especially how it applies to the modern workplace.
What is human centricity?
To start with, let us consider the simplest possible definition, which is as follows: “A human-centric workplace is crafted around its employees and takes their specific needs into account.”
This definition allows us to identify the three unique elements of human-centric design, namely:
1. Empathy,
2. Creativity, and
3. Business needs.
1. Empathy
When we talk about empathy, we are referring to the fact that we genuinely care for the people in our workplace. The adage, “try walking in their shoes for a day,” is especially pertinent here. Essentially, we are discussing trying to see things from someone else’s perspective. Once we do that, we put ourselves in a position to understand their reasons for not doing things and the motivations that drive them and encourage them to do things well. It would help if you immersed yourself in the community that makes up your employees to build genuine empathy and, in so doing, create the conditions for understanding their real needs and motivations.
2. Creativity
When we talk about creativity, we are referring not only to the creativity we desire from our employees. We are referring to the creativity that we need to use as employers to ensure that we are also finding unique solutions to the problems that our workforce may be facing. Do workers feel challenged? Are there issues such as a lack of connection between the different employees within the organization? Are the individuals that work for us able to achieve a sense of fulfillment? However, they may define it as per their outlook.
3. Business needs
Business needs refer to making our organization utterly supportive of our employees’ collaborative and communicative needs. When employees feel involved in something more significant than the individual tasks they are performing, they are much more highly motivated and, thereby, much more likely to produce optimal results. One easy way to ensure that your organization creates this environment is to use a coworking space rental instead of a traditional office, as some co-working spaces have perfected the formula for best meeting business needs.
Strategies to make your workplace more human-centric
1. Flexible offerings: As the pandemic forced the majority of the world’s working population to adapt to a ‘work-from-home’ or WFH culture, many individuals realized that working from home has many benefits, as it allows one to maintain a healthier work-life balance. However, the need and desire to go into an everyday workplace still remains; many collaborative tasks still necessitate physical human interaction. Indeed, many individuals long for that human connection that is all too often lost if one engages solely in WFH mode. Many organizations have shifted to a blended model, where they give their employees the flexibility to work from home on some days and come into the office on other days. This is a win-win situation for both employees and employers, as employees have a lot of flexibility in scheduling their work time, and employers do not have massive overheads and fixed costs to maintain a physical workspace. In today's world, nothing is more convenient for a company than to simply hire a coworking space for a limited number of days in a week, a month, or even a year, to allow their employees to come into work on those days.
2. Achievements recognition: As human beings, we desire validation. This trend starts right from childhood and continues throughout our lives. This does not imply that achievements must always be recognized via monetary incentives. Often, a simple acknowledgment from one’s manager or superior, a few words of recognition at an office meeting attended by the whole company, a plaque that lists someone as the ‘employee of the month,’ and so on, are more than enough in terms of motivation. A dedicated area in your office, such as a hallway or a notice board where achievements can be recognized, is a simple yet highly effective way to keep employees satisfied. These are the types of features that are usually already built-in to great coworking spaces.
3. Employee-wellness focused: Earlier, employee health was limited to offering your workforce access to a company health insurance plan. While this is important, it does not focus on the most important precursor to insurance, which is ensuring that your employees are healthy! As an employer, you cannot force anyone to engage in healthy lifestyle habits such as good eating and exercise. However, you can create the conditions necessary for your employees to adopt these practices easily. A simple strategy is having a snack area that is always stocked with healthy alternatives for employees who feel hungry during the day or have missed a meal because of working long hours. Another strategy is partnering with local gyms and other exercise studios close to the office to make it as convenient as possible for your workers to get in a workout whenever they have the time. Coworking spaces such as Worksocial have a well-stocked snacking station encouraging members to eat healthily.
4. Team goal creation: Working in silos is a thing of the past. Yes, there are still jobs in the modern corporate world where individual targets are linked to incentives. However, these jobs are the exception and not the rule. For the more significant part, most employees want to feel like they are part of something larger, and the easiest way to achieve this is to create team goals. Like team sports, where there is a sense of higher purpose and camaraderie, creating team goals helps individuals see the bigger picture and be more motivated to work toward a common goal.
5. Opportunities for learning & development: Employees always look to up-skill and learn new things in today's world. Often, individuals leave their jobs because they feel a sense of stagnation. This can be easily avoided if employers provide their employees with an opportunity to learn new things and develop new skills. Mind you; these opportunities do not all have to be a natural extension of their function at work. Giving someone in the finance department the opportunity to participate in a course that focuses on communication skills may seem like a mismatch but thinking about scenarios like these is short-sighted. As long as an employee is deriving value and happiness from their learning and development opportunities, there will undoubtedly be positive benefits that the company will experience.
6. Creating inspirational office layouts: Your office’s design significantly impacts how employees communicate and work together. Separate work areas allow individuals to zone in and focus on a task without interruptions. Similarly, shared spaces are essential for collaborative work, meetings, etc. A mix of shared and private focus pods, meeting rooms, discussion spaces, and social areas is critical to creating a human-centric workplace. This blended mix of slots is an essential feature of modern coworking spaces. Everything has been designed so that everyone's individual and collective needs can be met with the highest degree of efficiency and comfort.
Conclusion
The future of remote work is human-centricity, and to that end, human-centric workplaces such as coworking spaces are here to stay. As companies recognize the importance of human-centricity, the elements and strategies discussed above are slated to become the norms of the modern workplace.
Woman and minority-owned coworking business serves entrepreneurs and businesses, from established enterprises to scaling startups
WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York offering private, shared and virtual offices and flexible solutions that match the individual needs of businesses, has expanded its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor.
The expansion increases the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase the company’s number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms–with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks. Three thousand square feet of the new expansion space has already been allocated to a nationally recognized business.
“As a resident and business owner in Jersey City, I couldn’t be more proud to expand the office space of our headquarters,” said Natasha Mohan, CEO and founder of WorkSocial. “This marks a new milestone of growth for our company and the expansion of our services to business owners and entrepreneurs in the New Jersey and New York metro areas.”
Bringing more than 20 years of diverse experience in hospitality, management, retail, real estate and artistry, Mohan culminates her talents into leading WorkSocial, a company that she refers to as “a movement of happiness.” She founded the company with the motto “Connect. Create. Grow,” and connecting people has become her “superpower” that her clients rely on.
The Feng Shui incorporated throughout the architectural and interior design amplifies both the simplicity and functionality of the space. WorkSocial serves some of the largest brands in the U.S., such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Marshall Goldsmith and Chobani, as well as offers affordable solutions for small businesses and local entrepreneurs. Since the company’s inception in 2015, WorkSocial has expanded its real estate portfolio from 4,400 to 18,000 sq. ft. and has seen 100-percent organic growth year over year.
What sets WorkSocial apart is the personalization of its services to not only be functional but also meet the individual needs of each business. “When a client’s birthday comes up, we’ll arrange for a cake for them. Gluten-free or other dietary restrictions? We will provide you with a nutritious lunch that meets your needs accordingly,” said Mohan. “These personalized services are what makes our clients look forward to coming to the office.”
As a longtime Jersey City local, Mohan believes that her company has a responsibility to support and give back to the local community. WorkSocial sources its lunch and snack offerings from local Jersey City vendors and regularly donates food and needed supplies to the York Street Project, which offers innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate and promote the healing and independence of persons in need, especially women, children, and their families.
If you can barely remember what your office looks like, then you’re most likely one of the many who have been working from home for the past couple years. Local Zoomers might want to consider branching out to a coworking space for the sake of their loved ones at home, personal sanity, or even to increase productivity with a change of scenery. Whether you’re fully remote or working a hybrid job, you can check out these coworking spots in Hudson County + beyond as an alternative on your remote days (FYI— Each location is taking sanitation precautions to provide a safe and comfortable environment).
3rd Space Cowork | 142 Lafayette Street, Newark
At 3rd Space, personal space is a top priority. This location offers private parking, divided workspaces, socially distanced conference rooms, and private offices. You can perk up with free coffee and get fresh air throughout the workday on the rooftop and outdoor seating. Membership is as low as a $25 Day Pass and as exclusive as a private office with designated parking space for $1,785 per month.Read More: Places in Hoboken + Jersey City to Work From Home
Andco | 201 Montgomery Street, Jersey City
Andco’s motto is, “Work here. Work better.” While you find out if that’s true for you and your work, you can take advantage of mail service, copiers, printers, and high-speed wi-fi. Whether you’re working a 9 to 5 or you need extra space to work on a side hustle, Andco believes that seeing the world for all its possibilities can start with a great workspace. Single day passes are available for $30 and 10 day passes are available for $200.
CMPND | 97 Newkirk St 2nd Floor + 28 Cottage Street, Jersey City
CMPND brands itself as an ‘all-inclusive coworking community.’ Pricing here works on a month-to-month basis for whenever you need regular access to a coworking space. There are private desks, conference rooms, unlimited black and white printing, freshly brewed coffee, and even a fitness center on site. You can rent a desk for $300 per month — or, if you’re looking for a more private experience, you can rent a private office suite for $800 per month. Conference rooms are $20 per hour.
Convene | Multiple Locations Throughout New York City
With many accessible locations throughout New York City, Convene has truly beautiful coworking spaces. Thanks to the amenities at Convene, you can focus on the business at hand. This space has thought of everything — even the air. Convene utilizes MERV-13 and bipolar ionization filtration solutions to make sure those who rent the space have the cleanest air possible. Convene’s human-centered design and five-star hospitality make this spot infinitely better than your kitchen table.
Daybase | 1450 Washington Street, Hoboken
Daybase is intentionally designed for hybrid and remote workers providing local, flexible coworking spaces. From the common areas like the Daylounge, Zoom-ready meeting rooms, and larger collaboration spaces, Daybase has everything you need to make the workplace work for you. Amenities here include on-site concierge, enterprise-grade WiFi, complimentary coffee & tea, and unlimited office supplies. For $25, you can try out Daybase on a trial basis for two weeks to see if it’s a fit for you — though this is valid only through June 10th, 2022. Memberships start at $50 per month.
Mission50 | 50 Harrison Street, Suite PH 401, Hoboken
You can find the right flexible plan for your work needs, whether it’s a shared space or a private office. The fast wifi here will keep you connected, unlimited printing will help keep things organized, free coffee will keep the pep in your step, and onsite parking will make life easier. All members enjoy discounted rates at local restaurants and gyms as well as free membership to Hudson Bike Share and NJ Tech Council. And bonus — membership starts at just $20 a year.
NJ Office Share | 500 Paterson Plank Road, Union City
To anyone who has been working from home, the tagline, “You focus on your work. We take care of the rest,” is a dream come true. Enjoy 24/7 secure access, free on-street parking, high-speed internet to get the job done, spacious common areas to keep your distance, and a kitchenette so you can stay energized throughout the workday. NJ Office Share is conveniently nestled on the border of Union City, Jersey City Heights, and Hoboken.
Small Officer | Multiple Locations
At Small Officer, you’ll find on-demand office spaces for whenever you need. There are flexible options to rent by the hour, day, or month, and you’ll find a variety of both coworking and shared spaces along with private offices and workstations. Small Officer has locations in Newark, Hoboken, Bloomfield, Union City, and East Brunswick, and you can try out any of these spots for a free 4-hour trial to see if it’s a good fit. There are no memberships or monthly obligations, so this is a great option for those who aren’t sure how regularly they’ll need a coworking space.
Sweven | 33-41 Newark St. Floor 5, Hoboken
Sweven has private dens that can seat up to 8 people as well as single occupancy nooks, public shared office space, and even a full-time concierge to help you with any of your working space needs. There are also private hush booths if you need to take a call in a quiet setting. For your snacking and meal needs, Sweven has a full-service café. Membership here starts at $295 per month.
Upflex | HQ: 833 Broadway 2nd Floor, New York (With Multiple Locations Throughout NYC)
Imagine helping the planet each time you book a coworking space. That’s what you’ll find at Upflex. Each time Upflex receives a booking, it plants a tree through the Trees for the Future program. Desk plans start at $115 a month and can be used by multiple team members. Private office plans start at $299 a month and apply to private offices of any size in any worldwide location.
Worksocial | 111 Town Square Place, Jersey City
Work social coworking and shared office space foster a lifestyle rich in service and amenities. You can enjoy the benefit of fractional ownership while the dedicated Worksocial team helps you make the most of your time in this shared space. Choose from executive offices, coworking spaces, and socially distanced meeting rooms. Members have access to free drinks, snacks, and printing, and each room is sanitized with UV lights prior to every meeting and seats are placed 5-6 feet apart. All surfaces are wiped down on a daily basis for top-level sanitation. You can go to Worksocial for $40 per day. Recently, the team announced it was expanding its Jersey City headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, meaning there would be increased space for all kinds of work stations.
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