Philanthropy
Camden, N.J has a variety of Non-Profit Tax-Exempt Organizations aimed to assist city residents with a wide range of health and social services free or reduced charge to residents. Camden City, having one of the highest rates of poverty in New Jersey, fueled residents and local organizations to come together and develop organizations aimed to provide relief to its citizens.The 2000 Census cites that Camden's income per capita was $9,815. This ranking made Camden the poorest city in the state of New Jersey, as well as one of the poorest cities in all of the United States.[1] Camden also has one of the highest rates of childhood poverty in the nation.[2] Camden was once a thriving industrialized city home to the RCA Victor, Campbell Soup Company and containing one of the largest shipping companies. Camden's decline stemmed from the lack in jobs once these companies moved over seas. Many of Camden's Non-Profit Organizations emerged during the 1900's when the city suffered a large decline in jobs which affected the city's growth and population. These organizations can be located in all of Camden NJ sub-sections and offer free services to all city residents in an attempt to combat poverty and aid low income families. The services offered range from preventative health care, homeless shelters, early childhood education, to home ownership and restoration services. Nonprofits in Camden strive to aid assist Camden residents in need of all ages, from children to the elderly. Each nonprofit organization in Camden has a unique history and impact on the community with specific goals and services. These organizations survive through donations, partnerships, and fundraising. Volunteers are needed at many of these organizations to assist with various programs and duties. Camden's nonprofits also focus on development, prevention, and revitalization of the community. Nonprofit organizations serve as resource for the homeless, unemployed, or financially insufficient.
One of Camden's most prominent and longest running organizations with a span of 103 years of service, is The Neighborhood Center located in the Morgan Village section of Camden[3].The Neighborhood Center was founded in 1913 by Eldridge Johnson, George Fox Sr., Mary Baird, and local families in the community geared to provide a safe environment for the city's children[4]. The goal of Camden's Neighborhood Center is to promote and enable academic, athletic and arts achievements. The Neighborhood Center was created to assist the numerous families living in Camden in poverty. The services offered at The Neighborhood Center are Urban Child Care Learning Center, Arts and Education Program, Kumbaya summer camp, and Community Kitchen program. The Neighborhood Center also has an Urban Community Garden as of the year 2015. Many of the services and activities offered for the children are after school programs, and programs for teenagers are also available. [5] These teenage youth programs aim to guide students toward success during and after their high school years. The activities at the Neighborhood Center are meant to challenge youth in a safe environment for fun and learning. These activities are developed in the hopes of The Neighborhood Center helping to break the cycle of poverty that is common in the city of Camden. The Neighborhood Center is located at 278 Kaighns Avenue Camden, NJ 08103.
Center for Family Services Inc[6] Offers a number of services and programs that total 76 free individual programs. This organization has operated in South Jersey for over 90 years and is one of the leading Non Profits in the city. Cure4Camden is a community ran program focused on stopping the spread of violence in Camden and surrounding communities. They focus on stopping the spread of violence in the Camden City communities of:
- Liberty Park
- Whitman Park
- Centerville
- Cooper Plaza/Lanning Square
Center for Family Services offers additional programs such as : Active parenting and Baby Best Start program, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention, and Rehabilitative Care. They are located at 584 Benson St Camden NJ 801[7] Center for Family Services is a nonprofit organization helping adults, children, and families. Center for Family Services' main focus is "prevention". Center for Family Services has over 50 programs, aimed at the most "vulnerable" members of the community [8]. These programs are made possible by donors, a board of trustees, and a professional staff. Their work helps prevent possible victims of abuse, neglect, or severe family problems. Their work helps thousands of individuals in the community and also provides intervention services to individuals and families. Their programs for children are home-based, community-based, as well as school-based. [9] Center for Family Services is funded through partners, donors, and funders from the community and elsewhere.
Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Inc.[10] A Human Service based Non- Profit Organization that is the largest emergency food distribution agency in Camden N.J. The organization was founded in 1976 by four Camden residents after attending a lecture given by Mother Theresa. They ran off of donated food and funds for fourteen years until they were granted tax exempt status as a 501(c) (3) corporation in 1990. In the 1980's, a new program started at The Cathedral Kitchen called the "casserole program", which consisted of volunteers cooking and freezing casseroles to be donated and dropped off at the Cathedral Kitchen, and then be served to guests. [11] Cathedral Kitchen faced many skeptics at first, despite the problems they were attempting to solve in the community, such as hunger. The Cathedral Kitchen's first cooking staff consisted of Clyde and Theresa Jones. Next, Sister Jean Spena joined the crew and the three members ran cooking operations over the course of several years. [12]They provide 100,000 meals a year and launched a Culinary Arts Catering[13] program in 2009.The organization offers Employment Preparation & Procurement, Food Programs and Culinary Arts Programs. They are located at 1514 Federal street Camden NJ 08105. They provide hot meals Monday through Saturday to Camden County residents. The Cathedral Kitchen's annual revenue is $3,041,979.00. [14] A fundraising component of the Cathedral Kitchen is CK Cafe. CK Cafe is a small lunch restaurant used by the Cathedral Kitchen to provide employment to those who graduate from their programs as well as generate profits to continue to provide food to the hungry. [15] CK Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. You can even place an order for takeout by calling their telephone number. CK Cafe even offers catering and event packages. The Cathedral Kitchen is innovative and unique compared to other soup kitchens, because those who eat at The Cathedral Kitchen are referred to as "dinner guests" rather than the homeless, the hungry,etc. [16] The Cathedral Kitchen also offers various opportunities for those interested to volunteer. Another feature of The Cathedral Kitchen is their free health clinics with a variety of services offered including dental care and other social services. [17] The Cathedral Kitchen's case manager assists guests and Camden students with referrals for utility bills, childcare, etc. Project HOPE also partners with The Cathedral Kitchen to provide screenings for overall general health.[18]
Catholic Charities of Camden, Inc. is a Faith based organization which advocates and uplifts the lives of the poor and unemployed[19]. They provide services in six New Jersey counties and serve over 28,000 people each year. The extent of the services offered exceed those of any of Camden's other Non- Profit Organizations. Catholic Charities Refugee[20] Resettlement program is one of the only Non-Profit that offers resettlement services in the area. They currently provide relief to over 100 refugees each year, from various countries. Some of the services Catholic Charities offer include; Adoption services, Immigration Legal Assistance, Veteran Services, Substance Abuse Assistance, Disaster Response, Housing Assistance, Domestic Violence Counseling, Community & Neighborhood Development, Economic Development, Education, Homeless & Housing, Housing Support, Preschools, Urban & Community Economic Development The Catholic Charities of Camden Inc. is located at 601-603 Clinton St Camden NJ 08103.
Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP) is an arrangement between various congregations of Camden to partner together against issues in the community. [21] CCOP is affiliated with Pacific Institute for Community Organization (PICO). CCOP is a non-religious, non-profit organization that works with believers in the Camden to solve social issues in the community. Their beliefs and morals are the foundation for their efforts to solve a multitude of issues in the Camden community. CCOP's system for community organizing was modeled after PICO, which stresses the importance of social change instead of social services when addressing the causes of residents and their families' problems. CCOP's initial efforts began in 1995, and was composed only of two directors and about 60 leaders from the 18 churches in the organization. [22] The congregation leaders of CCOP all had a considerable amount of networking contacts but were also looking to expand and share their networking relationship with others.[23] CCOP congregation leaders also had to listen to the concerns of those in their networking contacts, the community, and the congregations. One of the main services of CCOP was conducting one-on-one's with individuals in the community, to recognize patterns' of residents' issues in the community. [24] An example of this was CCOP's realization of drug dealings taking place in the city's vacant houses. These drug dealings were also often violent and dangerous. CCOP conducted more than 200 one-on-ones with citizens in the city of Camden. As a result of their findings, CCOP met with institutions who were knowledgeable with regards to crime or housing from both the public and private sectors. It is approximated that about 20 of these meetings were held, with various attendees including the Camden police, local housing authority, and elected officials.
Cooper Grant Neighborhood Association is located in the historic Cooper Grant neighborhood that once housed William Cooper an English Quaker with long ties to Camden[25]. His son Richard Cooper[26] along with his four children are responsible for contributing to the creation of the Cooper Health System[27]. This organizations goal is to enrich the lives of citizens living in the Cooper Grant neighborhood located from the Camden Waterfront up to Rutgers University Camden campus. This center offers community service to the citizens living in the historic area that include activism, improving community health and involvement, safety and security, housing development, affordable childcare services, and connecting neighborhoods and communities together. The Cooper Grant Neighborhood Association owns the Cooper Grant Community Garden. [28] Project H.O.P.E rganization offers healthcare to the homeless, preventative health Care, substance abuse programs, social work services, behavioral health care[29]. Their address is 519-525 West Street Camden, NJ 80103. Project H.O.P.E staff consists of administrative, security, and clinical teams. Donations accepted by Project H.O.P.E. are used to support their medical facility. Project H.O.P.E. also offers mobile vans for various health services at specific sites. Another feature of Project H.O.P.E. is the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH offers a wide variety of unique services ranging from personalized care packages and bilingual services for patients.[30]
Heart of Camden rganization that offers home renovation and restoration services, home ownership programs. Their address is 1840 S. Broadway, Camden NJ 08104. Heart of Camden receives donations from online shoppers through Amazon Smile. [31] Heart of Camden Organization is partners with District Council Collaborative Board (DCCB)[32]. Heart of Camden Organization's accomplishments include the economic development of various entities such as the Waterfront South Theatre, Neighborhood Greenhouse, and a community center with a gymnasium. Another accomplishment of Heart of Camden Organization is its revitalization of Camden, which includes Liney's Park Community Gardens and Peace Park. [33]
Fellowship House of South Camden rganization that offers Christian (Nondenominational) based after school and summer programs[34]. Fellowship House of South1722 South Broadway, Camden, NJ 08104. Fellowship House was founded in 1965 and started as a weekly Bible club program for students in the inner-city of Camden. Settlement was made on a house located at Fellowships House's current location in the year 1969. [35] Fellowship House hired its first actual staff member, director Dick Wright, in the year 1973.
Volunteers of America.org [36] helps families facing poverty and is a community based organization geared toward helping families live self sufficient, healthy lives. With a 120 years of service the Volunteers of America has dedicated their services to all Americans in need of help. Home for the Brave[37] is a housing program aimed to assist homeless veterans. This program is a 30 bed housing program that coincides with the Homeless Veterans Reintegration program which is funded through the Department of Labor. Additional services include ; Emergency Support, Community Support, Employment Services, Housing Services, Veterans Services, Behavioral Services, Senior Housing. They are located at 525 Cooper St 08102 Camden New Jersey 856) 338-0123.
- ^ Speer, Paul W.; Ontkush, Mark; Schmitt, Brian; Raman, Padmasini; Jackson, Courtney; Rengert, Kristopher M.; Peterson, N. Andrew (2003-09-01). "The intentional exercise of power: community organizing in Camden, New Jersey". Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. 13 (5): 399–408. doi:10.1002/casp.745. ISSN 1099-1298.
- ^ Speer, Paul W.; Ontkush, Mark; Schmitt, Brian; Raman, Padmasini; Jackson, Courtney; Rengert, Kristopher M.; Peterson, N. Andrew (2003-09-01). "The intentional exercise of power: community organizing in Camden, New Jersey". Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. 13 (5): 399–408. doi:10.1002/casp.745. ISSN 1099-1298.
- ^ "Welcome". The Neighborhood Center in Camden. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ S, Paul. "Meet Eldridge Reeves Johnson: Inventor of the Recording Industry – Cohesion Arts". Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Programs". The Neighborhood Center in Camden. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
- ^ "Center for Family Services |". www.centerffs.org. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
- ^ "Center for Family Services". Yahoo Local. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
- ^ "Message from the President | Center for Family Services". www.centerffs.org. 2011-04-04. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ^ "Message from the President | Center for Family Services". www.centerffs.org. 2011-04-04. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ^ "Cathedral Kitchen – Cathedral Kitchen Uses food to change lives". www.cathedralkitchen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
- ^ "CK's History – Cathedral Kitchen". www.cathedralkitchen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ^ "CK's History – Cathedral Kitchen". www.cathedralkitchen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ^ "Message from the President | Center for Family Services". www.centerffs.org. 2011-04-04. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ^ "The Cathedral Soup Kitchen Inc - Camden , NJ - Company Profile". www.dandb.com. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ^ "CK Café – Cathedral Kitchen". www.cathedralkitchen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ^ "Serving Community – Cathedral Kitchen". www.cathedralkitchen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ^ "Serving Community – Cathedral Kitchen". www.cathedralkitchen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ^ "Cooper-Grant Neighborhood Association - About | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
- ^ "Home - Catholic Charities". Catholic Charities. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Donated reading materials to benefit refugee families | Diocese of Camden". cdtest.camdendiocese.org. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
- ^ "About CCOP - CCOP". www.camdenchurches.org. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
- ^ Speer, Paul W.; Ontkush, Mark; Schmitt, Brian; Raman, Padmasini; Jackson, Courtney; Rengert, Kristopher M.; Peterson, N. Andrew (2003-09-01). "The intentional exercise of power: community organizing in Camden, New Jersey". Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. 13 (5): 399–408. doi:10.1002/casp.745. ISSN 1099-1298.
- ^ Speer, Paul W.; Ontkush, Mark; Schmitt, Brian; Raman, Padmasini; Jackson, Courtney; Rengert, Kristopher M.; Peterson, N. Andrew (2003-09-01). "The intentional exercise of power: community organizing in Camden, New Jersey". Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. 13 (5): 399–408. doi:10.1002/casp.745. ISSN 1099-1298.
- ^ Speer, Paul W.; Ontkush, Mark; Schmitt, Brian; Raman, Padmasini; Jackson, Courtney; Rengert, Kristopher M.; Peterson, N. Andrew (2003-09-01). "The intentional exercise of power: community organizing in Camden, New Jersey". Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. 13 (5): 399–408. doi:10.1002/casp.745. ISSN 1099-1298.
- ^ "Cooper-Grant". Cooper-Grant. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Cooper Grant Historic District, Camden City, Camden County, Camden, NJ, 08102". www.livingplaces.com. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
- ^ anonymous. "About Us - Our History | Cooper University Health Care - World-Class Healthcare for South Jersey, Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley". www.cooperhealth.org. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
- ^ "Healthy Cooper-Grant neighborhood seen as bridge to rest of Camden". PhillyVoice. 2016-09-08. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Project H.O.P.E. – Camden Healthcare for the Homeless". projecthopecamden.org. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Project H.O.P.E. – Camden Healthcare for the Homeless". projecthopecamden.org. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
- ^ "Amazon Smile - Heart of Camden". www.heartofcamden.org. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
- ^ "Camden DCCB | Improving Camden's Quality Of Life". camdendccb.org. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Economic Development - Heart of Camden". www.heartofcamden.org. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
- ^ "Home". Fellowship House of South Camden. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- ^ "Mission & History". Fellowship House of South Camden. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
- ^ "Volunteers of America". Volunteers of America: Delaware Valley. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
- ^ "Home For The Brave | Volunteers of America". Volunteers of America: Delaware Valley. Retrieved 2016-12-18.