From the Community Ready to Serve: More than Just a Motto, A Mission

From the Community, Ready to Serve. For EMS Corps, this motto is more than a description of what they do; it’s a reflection of who they are. EMS Corps is a living mission, rooted in legacy and purpose. The program carries forward the groundbreaking work of Freedom House, the first of its kind U.S. ambulance service, founded in 1967 by Black men from neglected neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Freedom House sparked a revolution in prehospital care, culturally relevant emergency response and diversity in healthcare, proving that care rooted in community has the power to transform and save lives.

Today, EMS Corps continues that tradition by opening doors for young people and sparking movements in cities nationwide. Selected as GreenLight Fund Greater Newark’s first investment, EMS Corps was recognized for its unique ability to save lives while strengthening the city’s future. Carrying forward this bold vision to its first stop on the east coast, we were ecstatic to launch Newark EMS Corps. A new chapter was born– one that brought the enduring spirit of Freedom House into our city with the goal of shaping a generation of first responders ready to rise to challenges, serve with courage, and leave a lasting impact on the community they call home.

Among the program’s first graduates is Daquan Bryant, whose journey exemplifies the promise of Newark EMS Corps. His journey reflects the search for purpose and self-discovery. Like many young adults, Daquan’s path was not linear. He first worked as a mailman, then explored a future as an electrician before taking a position at a psychiatric facility. While working alongside patients in crisis, Daquan first glimpsed the importance of care, response, and the human side of medicine. Even with this new sense of purpose, the road ahead remained uncertain until an Instagram ad for Newark EMS Corps offered a way forward. The ad promised paid training, hands-on experience, and a clear, meaningful career path in a field he grew to love. For Daquan, it was the alignment he had been searching for, and he stepped through without hesitation.

As he boldly pursued this opportunity, it chose him right back. However, the training was no easy feat. As part of Newark’s inaugural cohort, Daquan and his peers stepped  into uncharted territory. They weren’t just learning, they were actively shaping the program for future students, a role they took seriously. The days were long, the coursework demanding, and the pressure intense. Yet through it all, Daquan leaned into the challenge, fully committed to its purpose. He discovered patience and the power of collective responsibility. In his words, “If you fail, I fail.” That mindset bound him and his classmates, keeping them accountable to one another and committed to growth, not just for themselves, but for the lives they would soon be responsible for saving. By the time they crossed the stage at graduation to receive their hard-earned EMT certification, the full truth of those words had revealed itself: through their shared perseverance, they had won together.

Throughout his journey, Daquan reconnected with qualities that fueled his passions: leadership, curiosity, and the courage to take bold chances. He realized the program was about far more than passing tests, it was about creating a legacy for himself, his family, his peers, and his community. Today, Daquan serves as an EMT with Robert Wood Johnson. Each call is a lesson, reminding him that while the classroom provides a foundation, real-world experience shapes true expertise. Every day is different, every case unique, and serving the very community he comes from makes his work profoundly meaningful. 

When he walks down the street in uniform, neighbors and friends greet him with pride and trust, often calling out “Quan, is that you?” confidently and proudly he responds, “It’s me!” His motivation comes not just from professional ambitions, but from personal ones too as he dutifully cares for his family who rely on his care and expertise. This is only the beginning, as he plans to continue advancing, from EMT to paramedic, and eventually into roles that combine fire service and emergency medicine.

Looking back, Daquan recognizes how transformative the program has been. It gave him discipline, resilience, and the confidence to take ownership of his future. It showed him that cycles can be broken, chances can and should be taken, and that young people from Newark can step into roles that can make them everyday heroes. They are revitalizing a tradition of care rooted in their communities, saving lives one call at a time. 

When asked what advice he would give to someone considering EMS Corps, Daquan’s words are simple but powerful: “Just do it!” He goes on to share, “..you never know until you try. Don’t let failure deter you, keep going.” His story underscores why programs like Newark EMS Corps matter. Daquan Bryant’s journey, from searching for purpose to living it, embodies the mission of EMS Corps and honors the legacy of Freedom House. It is a reminder that the motto, From the Community, Ready to Serve, is more than words- it is a mission in motion, shaping the future one cohort at a time.

With GreenLight Fund’s investment, the long-term goal is clear: expand EMS Corps’ proven impact so that more young people in Newark can step into lifesaving careers and transform the community.