My Earliest Recollections of the Newark Projects

I can remember moving into the projects. I was about 3 1/2 years old. We lived on Belmont Avenue in Newark with my Grandparents prior to moving into the projects. My Grandmother we called her "Nana" was a superintindant for a large apartment building. She had an apartment in the basement. We lived in a back room that was part of the electrical utiltiy room in the rear of the basement near the garbage room. My father was not employed and my grandmother took us in until he found a job and a place to stay.

I remember my parents joyful state when they received a letter from the Newark housing authority stating that an apartment would be available for them. My mother was happy she said it was a new building with elevators and we, my brother and I would have our own room.

Our address was 65 17th Avenue apartment 4F.