Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell had an unexpected way to describe the hundreds of
business and nonprofit leaders who gathered last week to celebrate the 40th
anniversary of the New Jersey chapter of LISC and the organization’s decades‑long
commitment to strengthening underserved communities.
Caldwell called them customers.
“Gov. Sherrill and I are focused on what we call customer service — and the customer
is the communities that are being built by LISC and many of the organizations here,” he
said during brief remarks at the event. “We are focused on making sure that, in New
Jersey, everyone is seen.
“Gov. Sherrill and I are committed to making sure that no matter your ZIP code, no
matter what you look like, New Jersey has opportunity for every single person.”
The state cannot achieve that goal alone, Caldwell said.
“We can’t do that without the support that you have,” he said. “We can’t do that without
government partnering with nonprofits, partnering with corporations, partnering with faith
institutions and volunteers.”
Caldwell said he felt right at home at the celebration — and with good reason.
As a pastor, former college president, board of education member and business leader,
his résumé mirrors those of many in the room.
“Many of you know me and know that I’m one of you,” he said. “I’ve worked in the
community. I’ve worked in housing and education and entrepreneurship — and that’s
really how we transform the state.”
The challenges are real. LISC Executive Director Jorge Cruz outlined them earlier in the
evening. But Caldwell said he and the governor are undeterred.
Here’s their plan:
Create a Faith Action Network: “What we’re doing is really connecting groups of faith,
but also individuals and volunteers, to you,” he said. “The power of this volunteer
network throughout New Jersey is to support much of the great work that each and
every one of you are doing.”
That can only happen if leaders …
Go out and meet people: “We don’t change New Jersey sitting behind the desk,” he
said. “We change it by coming out, interacting with people, learning from you, learning
from some of your challenges.”
Caldwell said he wants to hear the complaints — but also the aspirations — because
that enables him to …
Aim high: “I’ve often challenged people to say what should happen in a perfect world:
Where should we be?” he said. “We may not be able to get there, but if we don’t do that,
we won’t be able to set the steps that move us toward that — to ensure that people
have affordable housing, that people have jobs, workforce training, and so on.”
His ultimate goal?
“To transform New Jersey and make it a model state,” he said.
