News & Media

News & Media

Program updates, press releases, and stories from CINA's community.

Latest
Press ReleaseMarch 2026Newark, NJ

CINA Begins Initial Implementation of DEFENDER Anti-Bullying Curriculum Across 14 Newark Elementary Schools

CINA has begun initial implementation of DEFENDER, its proprietary social-emotional learning and anti-bullying curriculum, across 14 Newark Public Schools elementary sites and Data Science High School. DEFENDER is invisibly integrated into CINA's existing Taekwondo instruction, teaching students self-regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and bully-resistance through physical practice rather than passive classroom delivery. The curriculum is research-backed and aligned with CASEL's five core social-emotional competencies. Independent program evaluation is being conducted by ILEF, a UN ECOSOC-accredited nongovernmental organization, using the validated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) instrument.

DEFENDERSELAnti-BullyingCASELILEF

DEFENDER Initial Implementation

14 Newark elementary schools + Data Science High School — Spring 2026

All Updates

AchievementMarch 2026Newark, NJ

CINA Founder Appointed to Essex County Arts and Culture Advisory Board

Vinicius Paiva, Executive Director and Founder of CINA, was sworn in as a member of the Essex County Arts and Culture Advisory Board on March 25, 2026. The appointment followed a nomination by Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Grant Administrator Maressa McFarlane, recognizing CINA's growing role as a performing and cultural arts provider in the Newark community.

LeadershipEssex CountyArtsVinicius Paiva
PartnershipSpring 2026Newark, NJ

CINA and Rutgers University-Newark Cornwall Center Expand Multi-Year Programming Partnership

CINA and the Rutgers University-Newark Cornwall Center have formalized a multi-year partnership to expand youth programming access across the Newark community. The collaboration, led by Cornwall Center Director Marquise Guzman, brings CINA's full program portfolio — including Taekwondo, ballet, theater, dance, film production, and boxing — to Rutgers-Newark's community engagement infrastructure.

RutgersPartnershipCommunityCornwall Center

Press Contact

For media inquiries, interview requests, or press materials, contact CINA directly.

Media Inquiries[email protected]
Phone(862) 305-0369
Address269 Oliver St, Newark NJ 07105