Read this article as it originally appeared on TAPintoNewark.

Surrounded by his extended family in Newark's North Ward, Felix Perez fled one home in Puerto Rico to come back to his native city in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

For Perez, the confusion of his life following the storm has given him a true moment of clarity this Christmas.

The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association awarded scholarships totaling $7,500 to 11 high school and college students from Newark.

ARJ Civic held an awards breakfast on July 20 at The North Ward Center.

Councilman-at-Large Carlos Gonzalez, North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. and Newark Public Schools Advisory Board member Josephine Garcia (middle row) stand with scholarship recipients.

The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association joined with elected officials and community organizations to donate more than 500 backpacks to school children in Newark at its annual Back-to-School night in Branch Brook Park.

The event included games, rides and Movies Under the Stars featuring Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association awarded 11 scholarships worth $9,500 to deserving high school and college students from Newark during its Third Annual Scholarship Breakfast.

Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. with 2016 scholarship winners at The North Ward Center in Newark. From (left to right) (first row) Dihza'e K. Bailey, Genesis Rocha, Michael J. Caceres, Ashanti Lee Gilland-Belen, Marielly Pena (second row) Ahjhane L. Sanders, Alvin Fisher, Anibal Ramos Jr., Raquel Rodriguez (third row) Eliyah Green, Luisteven Aponte and Julissa Eve Morales's mother.

ARJ Civic, along with a host of elected officials, hosted a celebration for mothers and fathers in the North Ward.

More than 300 Newark seniors celebrated Valentines Day on Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Flamboyan Manor, thanks to the Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association and elected officials from Newark.

The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association joined with Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. and other elected officials to distribute hundreds of turkeys to needy residents in Newark.

The turkey distribution began on Monday, Nov. 23 at senior citizen buildings in the North Ward as well as Casa Israel Medical Daycare Center.

The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association held it's Third Annual Golf Outing on Oct. 8, 2015 at the Francis A. Byrne Golf Course in West Orange, raising more than $50,000 for charity.

More than 700 Newark children received backpacks filled with school supplies at the North Ward’s Second Annual Back-to-School night organized by the Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association. 

“I am proud that we were able to give so many children in Newark backpacks,” said Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. “I want to thank all those who donated to ARJ Civic in the last year to help make events like this possible."

Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. and Amiri "Middy" Baraka, chief of staff to Mayor Ras Baraka, distribute backpacks to more than 700 Newark children.

The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association along with ASPIRA Inc. hosted the First Annual "Clash of Champions" boxing tournament at the Waterfront Recreation Center in Newark.

More than 200 spectators watched as amateur boxers from Newark and around the state competed in 10 bouts on Saturday, July 22, 2015.

From L-R: Boxing Promoter Jose Rosario, Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., Boxer John Leonardo, Manny Lugo and Councilman Luis Quintana