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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here's how Passaic will honor memory of city woman who died in Jet Set nightclub collapse
The city of Passaic will create a scholarship in memory of Jennifer C. Contreras, the 23-year-old local woman who died in the April 8 Jet Set nightclub disaster in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The scholarship will help local youth with costs associated with obtaining cosmetology certification, officials said. "It's been added to the city's current training program," Mayor Hector Lora said. "We have a partnership with Passaic County Community College. The scholarship will cover the full cost of the program." Contreras was among 231 people confirmed killed when the roof at the iconic nightclub collapsed. Seventeen of the deceased were Americans, published reports said. At least four were from New Jersey, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said in April. Before she left for Santo Domingo, Contreras was planning to open her own beauty shop in the city. She was a graduate of Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne. Her brother Anthony said she had been in Santo Domingo to complete a certification class on eyebrow micropigmentation. Lora said he announced the scholarship last month at a vigil held outside Contreras' home on Passaic's Hammond Avenue. More: In Passaic, familiar foes face off for mayor's race, newcomer seeks City Council seat The scholarship will help both residents and local businesses, the mayor added. The latter, he said, would get trained workers for their shops. The initial $10,000 in funding for the scholarship will come from government Urban Enterprise Zone funds, but the mayor also hopes to gain support from local businesses and residents. For instance, one hope is that local hair salons or barbershops will sponsor individuals and assure employment after program completion. It can cost between $8,000 and $18,000 to obtain certification from private beauty schools and community colleges. The city will help but will require the money to be paid back if recipients don't finish the training, Lora said. How much each scholarship provides will depend on circumstances. Cosmetology is among the various job training opportunities the city offers with the assistance of schools like Passaic County Community College. The city also assists with training for phlebotomy, pharmacy assistant, security and commercial drivers' licenses. The city's Urban Enterprise Zone website will be posting the scholarship application shortly, Lora said. This article originally appeared on Passaic scholarship to honor resident who died at Jet Set nightclub
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Vigil planned for North Jersey woman killed in Dominican Republic night club tragedy
PASSAIC — A vigil will be held Tuesday night to remember Jennifer C. Contreras, the 23-year-old city woman who died in the April 8 Jet Set Night Club tragedy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Contreras was among 225 others confirmed killed and more than 200 injured when the roof of the iconic nightclub collapsed last week. Sixteen of the deceased were Americans, according to reports. A graduate of Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, Contrreras traveled to the Caribbean nation to celebrate her birthday and the birthdays of family friends, said her brother, Anthony Contreras. "Jennifer was the most kind hearted, loving, and soft person," Anthony Contreras wrote on the GoFundMe page set up to raise money to help pay for funeral arrangements and to bring her remains back to Passaic. "She was an incredible daughter, sister, friend, cousin, and more." Family members said they learned of her death on Wednesday, a day after the collapse as rescue workers began to uncover victims of the rood collapse. It would have been her 24th birthday. Her brother said she was also in Santo Domingo to complete a certification class on eyebrow micropigmentation as she was starting a beauty business. "It was essentially the last thing she needed," Anthony said of the certification. Because her remains are in the Dominican Republic, the financial burden of the logistics, mortuary services in both countries, and funeral services in the United States has put a stress on her family, her brother said. The cost or bringing her remains home and burial, headstone and other costs are expected to be around $35,000. As of Monday the gofundme page had raised in excess of $37,000. More: Death toll climbs to nearly 200 in Dominican Republic roof collapse: Everything we know The family thanks the community for the help and kind thoughts and prayers, Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said. The vigil will be held at 52 Hammond Ave.., at 7 p.m. outside her family home. Passaic will restrict traffic around the vigil. "We ask that you pray and worship for my sister and our family at this time, " Anthony said on Monday. Jennifer is also survived by her mother, Dina Marcelo and sister, Luz. The memorial service and funeral details will be made once her remains are returned, the family said. Officials have said it's too soon to determine why the roof fell. Prosecutors visited the scene on Thursday after rescue crews began packing up and removing heavy equipment. The devastating accident occurred in the nation's capital of Santo Domingo during a performance by Rubby Pérez, 69, a merengue singer who was performing with his band when the roof collapsed. Pérez was among those who died. The exact cause of the disaster is currently under investigation. Last Thursday, the Dominican Republic announced the creation of an investigative commission. This article originally appeared on Dominican night club collapse: Vigil set for NJ woman killed
