Gloria Walton Joins the McGreevey Slate for Mayor of Jersey City

Mayoral candidate Jim McGreevey welcomes Gloria Walton to his slate as the prospective Ward F Councilman for Jersey City. 

Walton is the Founder and President of Most Excellent Way Life Centers, a nonprofit faith-based housing agency for homeless nonviolent offenders and human trafficking victims. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Behavioral Health Services, a licensed addiction and mental health clinic, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mothers and Daughters Outreach Ministry, a family preservation and youth mentorship program. 

In 2016, Walton was featured in the Woman’s Day Magazine “Second Chances” publication, highlighting the Most Excellent Way Life Center and its collaboration with Same Sky Incorporated to employ female ex-offenders.

Walton serves as the President of the Jersey City Women’s Clergy Alliance. She has been an ordained pastor since 2006. Walton is the Founder of the Forrest Street Block Association and a board member of the Hudson County Homeless Trust Fund. Walton is a consultant with GCW Consulting, assisting agencies in development, grant writing, and curriculum development for women and prison ministry development. 

In 1979, Walton graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University. She received a grant and proposal writing certificate from the University of Arizona. Walton was a fellow for the Department of Community Affairs at the Neighborhood Leadership Initiative Institute, and she attended Philadelphia Biblical University.

In 1997, Walton developed the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) with the Department of Human Services. She received Training for Trainers from the Department of Human Services and is a Foster Parent Recruiter and Retention Specialist. 

In 2003, Walton completed the Child Advocacy Program at Montclair State University. In 2004, she graduated from Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work. Walton has also completed the International Chaplaincy Program and attended the International School of Ministry. In 2010, Walton earned a Pastoral Counseling Certificate from the Newark School of Theology.

Today, Walton is a certified Recovery Assistance Counselor, certified Social Worker, and certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has served as a Forensic Intake Supervisor, Resource Development Specialist in Passaic County, Domestic Violence Counselor, Family Service Specialist, and Special Response Unit Worker. 

Walton stated, “My life’s work has been to focus upon the community, to work with those who need a Second Chance, and to provide those necessities such as temporary housing and medical and behavioral treatment and support, so that persons can reach their highest potential. To serve on the Jersey City Council would be a tremendous opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ward F families.” 

Walton co-chaired the Jersey City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Labor and Industry Committee. In 2012, Walton was a Pitch Winner issued by American Express and Count Me In for women entrepreneurs on behalf of Urban Behavioral Health Services. In 2015, she was featured on Inside Edition for her work at Most Excellent Way Life Centers. 

In 2017, Walton was trained as a Jersey City Police Chaplain. She is a certified Fatherhood Initiative Facilitator and certified Anger Management Specialist. In 2018, she received the Fannie Lou Hamer Community Award from the National Action Network Jersey City. 
McGreevey stated, “Gloria Walton is among the most compassionate, effective, and strong leaders for social change. Gloria’s life’s ministry has been driven by results, action steps, necessary to change people’s lives. Gloria will be a transformative agent, bringing impactful change to Ward F.” 

Walton joins Ward A and Ward B Council candidates, Brandi Warren, Director of the New Jersey City University (NJCU) Center for Teacher Preparation, and Efrain Badilla Orleans Jr., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (Jersey City), as well as incumbent Ward C Councilman Richard Boggiano on the McGreevey slate.