Revs. Trevor and Linda Rubingh, Founders
Linda and Trevor Rubingh met at Princeton Theological Seminary, their alma mater, where they began to dream together about how to change the world. In 1994, they founded New City Kids in Jersey City, NJ. Since then, they and an incredible staff team have created a unique ministry model to bring lasting transformation for urban youth. New City Kids is a 2022 recipient of the MacKenzie Scott Foundation Award, a multiple-year award recipient of the William E. Simon Foundation, and a three time White House Presidential Recognition recipient, as one of the Top 50 After School Centers in the nation.
New City Kids operates six After School Centers in four cities, with plans for continued expansion and growth. In 2023 Trevor and Linda started New City Networks, a partnership with ministry leaders in developing countries, helping launch sustainable youth development programs focused on music and teen employment. In its first year, NCN has partnered with youth-serving ministries in Ghana, South Africa, Guatemala, Nigeria, Honduras and Kenya, impacting hundreds of youth.
Rev. Trevor Rubingh, M.Div.
President, New City Kids Foundation
Trevor Rubingh was born in Jos, Nigeria, grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, and is a graduate of Calvin University and Princeton Theological Seminary. Trevor is a social entrepreneur, and natural teacher who loves inspiring children to develop their God-given capacities. In 1994, Trevor and Linda followed God’s call to bring transformation and justice to youth living in under-resourced communities and founded New City Kids in Jersey City, NJ. Trevor’s vision, passion and high-energy leadership style has led the organization to launch new sites and begin a system for launching future sites. In 2014, the Rubinghs moved to Grand Rapids, MI to do just that, and today New City Kids has seven sites in four cities with 75 adult employees serving 600 kids each day. Trevor is a recipient of the prestigious 2017 Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Award. He now serves as the New City Kids Foundation President, supporting New City Kids’ continued growth, and leading New City Networks with eight international partners in seven countries serving over 1,000 children.
Rev. Linda Rogge-Rubingh, M.Div., LSW
Brighter Day Director, New City Kids
Linda Rogge-Rubingh is a proud New Jersey native and graduate of Old Dominion University, Princeton Theological Seminary and Rutgers University. Her passion is working in partnership with youth in under-resourced neighborhoods to interrupt trauma with life-giving experiences that support resilience.
In 1994, Linda and her husband Trevor followed God’s call to bring transformation and justice to youth living in under-resourced communities and founded New City Kids in Jersey City, NJ. In 2011, Linda completed her MSW with an additional certification in violence against women and children (VAWC), and created the Brighter Day program at New City Kids. Brighter Day is a series of play-based trauma-informed classes and small groups addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. In Brighter Day, youth collaborate together, support their peers, develop their voice, tell their stories, and learn critical body safety skills for their future. Linda also works on the New City Networks team providing pastoral care and trauma-informed training for its international partners.
