New Jersey wants to formally honor one of Jersey City’s most beloved mentors, Clarence “Coach C” Collins, with a statewide day of recognition. A new resolution moving through the Statehouse would designate July 30 as “Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day,” celebrating a man whose life’s work changed youth development, strengthened families, and helped shape what community leadership means in our city.
State Resolution to Honor a Jersey City Legend
Senator Angela McKnight is sponsoring SJR-143, a legislative resolution to permanently recognize July 30 as “Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day” in New Jersey. On December 4, the Senate Education Committee advanced the measure, pushing it closer to full approval by the Legislature.
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This isn’t just about ceremony. Collins put in the work in Jersey City—quietly, after hours, sometimes out of his own home—and the state wants to acknowledge that what he did matters far beyond city limits.
Who Was Clarence “Coach C” Collins?
Clarence Collins, who passed away on July 30, 2024, was known throughout Jersey City as a tireless mentor, especially for young men facing tough circumstances. Whether at school, in recreation programs, or right at his own dinner table, he was there—steady, reliable, and present.
At University Academy Charter High School, Collins became much more than a staff member. For over 15 years, he was a mentor, motivator, and guide—someone students and colleagues trusted for support and perspective.
Building Youth Programs with Purpose
Coach C stood out for his holistic approach to youth development. He knew young people need more than rules; they need skills, real opportunities, and living examples of what success can actually look like.
Workshops that Met Students Where They Were
Collins designed and led workshops focused on academic achievement, job readiness, personal attitude, and long-term success. These weren’t your standard assemblies; he took on the real challenges—peer pressure, limited job options, and the pull of street violence—and gave kids practical tools instead of empty promises.
His programs emphasized:
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Reforming Recreation to Open Doors
Through the Jersey City Department of Recreation, Collins didn’t just run programs—he changed how young people accessed opportunity. He pushed to reform the hiring process, connecting more local youth with internships all over the city.
Instead of jobs being handed out informally, Collins fought for a fairer, more organized system. More teenagers got real work experience, built résumés, and formed relationships that could help them move on to college, trades, or full-time work.
A Father Figure to the Fatherless
One of the most powerful parts of Collins’ legacy never made it onto official flyers: his annual Father’s Day dinner. He saw how many young men he mentored were growing up without a father at home, so he opened his doors and gave them something simple but rare—a glimpse of a peaceful, loving household.
From 20 Young Men to 60—and Growing
What started as a small gathering of about 20 boys grew into an event that drew around 60 young men in later years. Collins used these dinners to show what a healthy, non-violent household could look like, letting his guests see that stability and kindness could exist together under one roof.
For many who came, it wasn’t just a meal; it was a whole new idea of what family and manhood could be. That sort of quiet, generational shift is hard to measure—but you can feel it in every neighborhood.
Inspiring a City—and a State—to Carry the Torch
University Academy Charter High School has praised Collins for his lasting influence on students and staff, calling him an inspiration for more than a decade and a half. The resolution from Senator McKnight aims to keep his name and work in the spotlight, not just in Jersey City but across all of New Jersey.
Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day would offer an annual reminder for schools, nonprofits, and city agencies to recommit to youth mentorship, positive programming, and family support. Maybe it’s also a chance for the rest of us to ask: How can we step in where Coach C once stood?
What His Legacy Means for Today’s Jersey City
Jersey City keeps growing. There are new developments, shifting city districts, and a skyline that’s always changing.
It’s tempting to focus on cranes and condos. Still, our greatest assets? They’re our people.
Collins’ story nudges us to remember that the city’s future depends on how much we invest in its children. He set the bar high with his intensity and care.
Visitors and new residents often wonder about the soul behind all the shiny waterfronts and modern Jersey City hotels. Collins’ legacy sketches a pretty good blueprint for that.
The next time you’re wandering neighborhoods or looking up things to do in Jersey City, maybe pause for a second. The real heartbeat of this place? It’s in schools, rec centers, and living rooms—the quiet spaces where mentorship unfolds every day.
If you’re researching where to stay in Jersey City or figuring out getting to Jersey City from somewhere else, you’ll probably notice the city has its share of local heroes. Clarence “Coach C” Collins is one of those names you ought to know.
His life’s work gently reminds us: no matter how fast the city shifts, we’ve still got a responsibility to lift up the next generation. That’s a legacy worth celebrating—maybe even every year.
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Here is the source article for this story: McKnight Sponsored Resolution to Honor Beloved Clarence ‘Coach C’ Collins Day Advances
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