5/21/10 Agency Spotlight – Urban Promise
The mission of UrbanPromise is to equip children and teens in Camden with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and leadership. As a non-denominational organization, the UrbanPromise community seeks to fulfill this mission through after school programs, summer camps, alternative schools, job training initiatives and a host of other programs that challenge youth to develop their academic, social, creative, spiritual and leadership potential. Unique to the vision of UrbanPromise is a commitment to involving local teenagers (StreetLeaders) in the tutoring, mentoring, and coaching of younger children in the community. By involving teens in the leadership process, UrbanPromise is creating a new generation of young, visionary leaders who embody a commitment to change their own community.
With programs such as the UrbanPromise Academy, a private high school focusing on the needs of young people who are not reaching their academic potential in traditional public education settings, teens are encouraged to stay in school, learn job skills and to avoid negative activities like early parenthood, drugs and the penal system.
Visit www.urbanpromiseusa.org for more information about this amazing local nonprofit and ways you can get involved. Also, be sure to look for the upcoming Wine Tasting & Auction to be held on June 10th at the Cooper River Boathouse. All proceeds benefit the kids and teens sponsored by Urban Promise.
Agency Spotlight 4/30/2010: South Jersey Eye Center
Chartered in 1961, the South Jersey Eye Center (formerly Camden Eye Center) is a network of eye care centers and programs. The Center offers specialized services as well as comprehensive eye care to disadvantaged, low income, and uninsured residents of the area through collaboration with area healthcare agencies and governmental, corporate, and charitable foundation partners. Delivering excellent eye care for children, the elderly, and the homeless, the South Jersey Eye Center is playing a leading role in the Healthy People/Healthy Vision 2010 national health agenda.
In the last five decades, over 300,000 patients have been treated by the South Jersey Eye Center, and 65% of those have received free services, treatments, and glasses, while others pay a nominal fee for services.The services of the center are available to all families in the South Jersey area. Many patients are also received on a referral basis from social services, welfare, health care and government agencies, school nurses, service clubs and private practitioners. For more information about the South Jersey Eye Center, please visit www.camdeneye.com.
Agency Spotlight 3/12/10 Volunteers of America Delaware Valley
Headquartered in Collingswood, NJ, Volunteers of America of the Delaware Valley(VOADV) have been a moving force in our community since 1896. VOADV serves more than 400 communities throughout the nation by providing professional human care services to more than two million people each year. Here are 5 ways VOADV are inspiring hope in our communities:
1.VOADV currently operates over 40 programs serving people in need of housing and supportive services, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, corrections services, domestic violence programs, and volunteer services. These services change the lives of over 10,000 people each year with the help of over 800 volunteers.
2. Under Construction
VOADV is currently transforming a Camden warehouse into Camden’s first first inpatient drug treatment center addressing the lack of extended treatment in the city. In 2003 VOADV was invited to join the discussion of drug treatment in the area, spearheading the development of a long term facility in South Jersey. The majority of the 60 licensed facilities are located in North Jersey, which is unaccessible to the majority of addicts. In Fall of 2008 VOADV secured 5.5 million in tax-free bonds from the Camden County Improvement Authority to begin the project which is expected to be fully functional in a few months.
3. Take Dad to the Doctor Day
For the past 3 years VOADV has run ‘Take Dad to the Doctor Day” connecting men from the Aletha R. Wright men’s shelter in Camden to healthcare providers in the area. Over 100 participants connected with 10 service providers. VOADV rallied healthcare providers such as Camden Eye Care, Camden County Cancer Screening Project, Westfield Family Pharmacy and Cooper Early Intervention Program to provide various screenings to their clients.
4. Home for the Brave
VOADV is pioneering programing for our returning soldiers & war veterans. Home of the Brave will launch in 2011 and work to rebuild veterans lives through employment advisement, counseling and other services including transitional housing for male and female veterans. Check out the video here:
5. Walk the Red Carpet
Each year VOADV hosts a star studded fundraising event starring YOU! The Annual Oscar Night Gala raises funds that benefit families with limited income, homeless families with special needs and youth re-entering society from the juvenile justice system. The night begins with a red carpet walk featuring paparazzi, eager fans, and ABC 6 news to catch a exclusive interview with you! Guests participate in auctions, movie trivia, predict the winner contests, and view the Oscars. Check out the video for a glimpse of the glitter:
For more information check out VOADV’s Website, BLOG and friend them on Facebook!
Agency Spotlight 2/19/10 Hopeworks N’ Camden
At Hopeworks you can earn a job, learn how to build websites, get back in school, get into college, make movies, have fun, and meet new people.
Hopeworks is located in Camden, NJ and focuses on empowering youth to identify and develop their D.R.E.A.M.S( Dynamic, Realizable Efforts to Attain and Maintain Success) and own their own future. Since opening their doors in March 2000 they have been successful in providing entrepreneurial technology training, as well as, literacy and formation programs ensuring their youth will become effective and productive citizens.
Check out just 5 of the ways Hopeworks N’ Camden is changing the landscape of learning in Camden.
1. It’ s in the Numbers
- Works with more that 250 youth in Camden a year
- Created 245 part-time technology jobs
- Helped 91 trainees attend college
- Awarded 511 college credits
- Served more than 270 web clients & 120 GIS clients
- Works with upwards of 70 volunteers and any given time
2. Daily Training
Monday through Friday from 9 – 3:30 each youth in the Daily Training Program participates in technology training as well as our Literacy and Formation programs. Typically after 3 months, a youth will have the skills to apply for a job with us and also test at a level to enroll in entry level college courses. Once this level has been achieved, youth can continue to work and train at Hopeworks as long as they are continuing their college education. Youth interested in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) business get additional training in GIS, Java Script, Adobe Illustrator and Google Maps. Check out their Curriculum here.
3. Voices of Our Future
On January 13th The Walt Whitman Arts Center in Camden was the site for the first Hopeworks Film Festival. The film festival showcased the creative talents of Hopeworks youth who wrote and created their own digital stories. Check them out here. The stories are courageous and revealing – offering a glimpse into the lives of young people struggling to meet the challenges of life as they pursue their dreams.
4. Internships
Trainees have the opportunity to work as an intern with one of our internship partners. In the past Hopeworks trainees have worked for the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, The Federal Courts, ARI (Automotive Resources International), and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority. These 10-12 week paid internships are comprised of 20 hours per week at the internship while attending college level courses and participating in the Literacy and Formation program at Hopeworks.
5. Providing the services your buisness needs
Hopeworks specializes in Web design, Web Development, Hosting, Google Apps, Data Collection, Printed Mapping and Interactive Mapping. You can catch thier work on sites such as Food Bank of South Jersey, NJ Aquatics, Camden Empowerment Zone , Campbell’s Summer Program Interactive Map and more. To check out their work & partners click HERE.
For more information on the services, programs and events at Hopeworks N’ Camden click HERE
Agency Spotlight 2/1/10
The Bridge
The Bridge, located in Camden, NJ is an empowerment and leadership program steered by peer to peer involvement. The Bridge helps adolescents between the ages of 13 & 19 cope with the ever mounting pressures of growing up. Unlike other crisis oriented programs the Bridge focuses on aiding in the healthy development of adolescents on a day to day level. Teens are guided by professionally trained individuals and encouraged to take on leadership roles within the organization to help guide and steer new comers out of their shells. We asked our friends at the Bridge to give us 5 ways they inspire everyday:
1. Inspiring the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow
Some of teens come to us having never introduced themselves in front of a group before. With support and empowerment, they evolve into mature and capable leaders who eventually run our Weekly Drop-In Sessions, including active large groups, emotional small groups, and many different types of activities. It is inspiring to see these youth excel at leadership skills, support other leaders and participants, and accomplish so many amazing things in their life.
2. Renovations & New Locations
We recently completed a huge project to renovate our staff room in our Camden location. Prior to this renovation, the room was in a deplorable condition and uninspiring. We were able to completely renovate this 650 square foot room adding new, fully functional kitchen area allowing us to conduct nutrition and cooking classes. We now have a safe, clean, and comfortable room for our weekly staff meetings, events, and gatherings as well as a tranquil space for mediation and relaxation.
3. Our Director is one of the young people who started the program (30 years ago!)
The Bridge was developed by a group of teens and young adults in 1979 and opened it’s doors in 1980. It has been open ever since, and at the helm, to this day, is one of those original young people, Renee Pinardo. The Bridge has grown since then, and now includes 4 employees, and offers Bridge-run Weekly Drop-In Sessions in two counties. Inspired by the Bridge’s success and outcomes hundreds of schools and communities have started and independently run their own Bridge sessions.
4. Annual Staff Retreats
Our Annual Staff Retreat is a special weekend, run by and open to our volunteers only. It offers them a chance to learn more about themselves and their Bridge Community while enjoying a bit of nature, becoming more in touch with their spirituality and higher power, while experiencing a sense of overall rejuvenation. We are able to offer this retreat weekend, thanks to the help of our sister program, Discovery Ministries, Inc.
5. Teambuilding Game Nights
Each week we present a different topic that are chose by the Bridge youth. Past topics have included: communication, healthy choices, relationships, drugs, study skills, getting a job, yoga, financial management, abuse, and goal-setting. A few times a year, we have Game Night where we present challenges and initiative games to small and large groups. They must then work together, using and sharpening their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, to achieve a goal. These Game Nights give everyone a chance to “recharge their batteries”, laugh, work together, improve their critical thinking skills, and of course have lots of fun.
Want to stop by and see The Bridge in action? Click Here for their locations and times. The Bridge welcomes all to come and see their work first hand through drop-in sessions and community events.
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT 1/25/10
The American Red Cross of Camden County
January 19, 2009
In the wake of last week’s devastating 7.0 earthquake to the nation of Haiti, The American Red Cross has been working over-time, leading the way in the disaster relief services. American Red Cross Chapters around the world are banding together to help the nation of Haiti recover and rebuild. While many of us look towards the American Red Cross in times of disaster, they are here in our county for us 24 hours a day seven days a week. Check out how:
The American Red Cross of Camden County Lives United by:
Giving Hope: We save lives seven days a week through the wonderful blood donors who donate blood, platelets, red cells and other blood products people need to live.
Educating: We save lives seven days a week through training professional rescuers and everyday people to use Red Cross skills and knowledge to save the lives of heart attack, drowning, choking and stroke victims.
Rebuilding lives : We are on call seven days a week, twenty four hours a day to give emergency shelter, food and clothing to local residents who lose their homes to fires, floods and other catastrophic events.
Repairing Connections: We work seven days a week and twenty four hours a day to connect members of the military and their families who have emergencies.
Disaster Relief: We help people prevent, prepare for and cope with emergencies.
For more information or to get involved head over the www.camdenredcross.org .
Here is the Haiti Bulliten from the American Red Cross :
