Early
in her adolescence, Adrienne McCall, began building a stake in the City
of East Orange. She developed a supportive nature and dedicated spirit
as a cheerleader for the East Orange Rams football team, under
leadership of Stanley Edwards. She learned the benefits and rewards of
being part of an extended family while growing up in public housing in
East Orange. Adrienne, raised by a very nurturing mother, Margaret
Evans, was widely known for running errands, which made her especially
popular with the elders and seniors. Her unselfishness and generosity
earned her the honorary title of “Auntie Adrienne” by all of the
neighborhood kids.
Adrienne,
a name of Greek and Latin origin, means rich, dark one. Her riches come
in the form the valuable and worthy friendships that she has created.
She is a true and loyal friend in every sense of the word. So much so,
that she was recognized in East Orange High School’s yearbook for her
devotion as a best friend. She is truly the kind of friend you can
count not to divulge a secret, even under torturous conditions.
Her
unbreakable bond with sisterhood manifested itself into an
organization, SYSTAs 4 Systas (S4S), she co-founded with childhood
friends in 1994. S4S embodies many of Adrienne’s favorable character
assets. Today she serves as the Director of Community Service where she
oversees projects that focus health awareness, literacy and
food/clothes drives.
Since 2006, she
has worn the hat of Executive Director of the East Orange Weed &
Seed initiative that liaisons between the residents of the 2nd Ward and
the East Orange Police Department. Weed & Seed involves a two-prong approach: law enforcement, agencies and prosecutor cooperate in “weeding out” violent criminals, gangs, and drug abusers “seeding”
the community with neighborhood restoration, economic development,
prevention/intervention programs, and community policing. In that
capacity, Adrienne worked hand and hand with the U.S. Attorney’s
office, Essex County Prosecutor’s office, Essex Sheriff office, DEA,
and the Mayor of East Orange. During her tenure, the initiative has
delivered quality of life programs to the youth and senior citizens.
Currently,
Adrienne devotes her community efforts to serving on the board for some
of Essex County’s prestigious influential organizations such as
Historical Society of East Orange, Inc., Essex County Prosecutors’
Office Community Advisory Board, Housing and Community Development
Network of New Jersey, and Salvation Army of Orange and Maplewood.
God
has definitely groomed Adrienne for greatness and carefully laid her
path. And when it’s all said and done- her commitment to her fellow
citizen and community is how she would like her legacy to be remembered.
