April 2011

The Camden Map Team is hard at work preparing this year’s map.  They started work in February: calling advertisers, creating insets, and improving the map.  This month the youth will be hard at work designing ads, double-checking roads, and integrating new features. This year we are introducing  QR codes that allow advertisers to promote their services in a variety of ways.  For information on how you can get your organization on the map, click here.  For updates, keep an eye on our newsletters, Facebook, and Twitter for updates.  We expect to have a fresh stack of maps from the printer by the end of May.  We’re working hard to ensure that this is our best map yet!

From March 11th to March 15th, nearly 20,000 computer geeks converged on Austin, Texas for the 2011 SXSW Interactive Conference.  Tarren, John, and Father Jeff are grateful to have been among them.  The yearly tech conference featured 1,041 sessions on a range of topics, including the latest design trends, how to build apps for mobile devices, and new ways nonprofits can use social media to promote their causes.  At a massive trade show the latest startups showcased their software and services, while larger technology companies, such as Google and Microsoft, highlighted their latest releases.  Tarren, John, and Father Jeff gained new ideas for projects, new skills to offer to our Web and mapping clients, and a bunch of swag. They are excited to try out all the new things they’ve learned.

Hopeworks ‘N Camden cordially invites you to the Third Annual Hopeworks Charity Golf Classic on June 6, 2011 at the Laurel Creek Country Club  in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.  Spend the afternoon at this lovely golf course, and help us continue to create positive change in the lives of Camden youth.  Don’t miss the spectacular ball drop: the local Fire Department drops hundreds of balls from high above the practice green!  Then follow our bagpiper as he leads the foursomes across the Laurel Creek Bridge to the first tee!  So clean off your golf shoes and practice your swing, because there is no other golf event like it in New Jersey. Register today!

I am excited to be part of Hopeworks as the Literacy Director. I have been part of this dynamic program for only three weeks, and already  I can see the positive impact Hopeworks is having. I have been working with youth for the past 15 years. Part of the reason I am excited about this position is because it is the only program that empowers youth with a unique combination of academics, computer literacy, and life skills which use goal setting as a foundation for planning future success in college and in life. I have always wanted to be part of this kind of program because I have the opportunity to share what I have learned at the ripe old age of 35.  I like seeing youth walk in to Hopeworks of their own accord, eager to be successful through our programs.

I have been married for five years, and I have two young sons.  In my spare time, I am an active part of the Men’s Ministry at my church in Philadelphia. Also, I have been a DJ for the past 15 years and really enjoy “reorganizing” music in a variety of ways, using the technology that has changed significantly since I started with records in 1995.

As the Literacy Director for Hopeworks, I hope to be a significant contributor to the dedicated team that is making a difference in the City of Camden.

I invite you to join me here at Hopeworks as a Literacy Volunteer.  Just e-mail me at joshua@hopeworks.org

“It was awesome to see so much art displayed everywhere, the outcome of someone’s work–that’s even still going,” Jon said when thinking about his time at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens.  The four residents of the C.R.I.B. took a trip to Philadelpia to kick off Camden County College’s Spring Break.  Jon, Dante, Wesley, Chris, and Alaina, C.R.I.B. Program Manager, took the PATCO train to South Philadelphia and enjoyed seeing some inspirational art creations.  The Magic Gardens is a mosaic-filled building and outside area that is covered in art from the floor to the ceiling: the walls and even the tables and chairs.  Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is an indoor and outdoor gallery of the mosaic art work of Isaiah Zagar.  “When we first arrived, it all seemed like a lot to take in,” said Dante; “it was exhilarating.”  Chris shared that he thought it was exotic.  While there, the residents learned how to make “doily tiles” which are a big part of Zagar’s work.  After our time at the Gardens we headed out on South Street to get some cheesesteaks.  It was great to spend some time together, as well as to see someone’s dream fully developed–Zagar’s artwork represents years and years of work to create a unique and expressive place for people to enjoy.

Jersey Business Leaders hosted “Roll for Hope,” a bowling fundraiser for Hopeworks ‘N Camden, on Sunday, April 3rd at Pinsetter Bar and Bowl in Pennsauken.  Hopeworks staff and youth were joined by more that 100 supporters in a fun-filled day of strikes, spares, and lots of laughs. There was a Chinese auction, a silent auction, and wonderful door prizes.  A big THANK YOU goes out to Terry Wall, the president of  Jersey Business Leaders (pictured above with Father Jeff, left, and Executive Assistant Yesenia Nieves) for supporting the youth of Hopeworks ‘N Camden in such a great way! To learn about Jersey Business Leaders, please visit www.jerseybusinessleaders.com

Hopeworks ‘N Camden has started planning for summer 2011 and our Summer Jobs Program!  Through Fun in the Sun, we raise the necessary funds to employ Camden youth in invigorating, supportive, and educational work projects.  Our goal for 2011 is to create 25 Youth Jobs this summer.  One youth job costs $1,200.  Therefore, we will need to raise $30,000. We need your support to create positive change for Camden’s youth.  A subscription costs $20 and gives you 30 opportunities to win up to $2,011!  Each day of June, we draw the name of one winner.  Each day we post the lucky person’s name on Hopeworks’ Web site and mail a check  to the winner. The winning subscription goes back into the barrel for the next day’s drawing. Therefore, you have 30 chances of winning!

Along with the chance to win, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are creating positive change in the lives of Camden youth. Your subscription will help create summer jobs for 25 Camden youth, create hope in Camden, and make you eligible for up to $2,011 in winnings! Not a bad way to begin the summer!

The C.R.I.B. community meal on March 21 was stepped up a notch when Chef Wheyne and manager Ted from Virtua came to the C.R.I.B. to teach the youth how to make spinach and ricotta-stuffed chicken, fried calamari, fresh mozzarella and tomato salad, steamed veggies, and a side of rice.  And dessert?  Fruit and yogurt, including  fruit that was carved into artwork (check out the picture!).  Chef Wheyne shared his background with us– how he worked his way up from being a server to a chef, worked his way through school, and got where he is today.  Dante said: “It was inspirational to hear about what he had been able to attain; I really liked his attitude.”  The trainees in attendance could tell that Chef Wheyne enjoyed cooking with them and for them.  Chef Wheyne talked about everything from eating healthy, to what it takes to manage one’s time to prepare a meal.  He explained that  he had prepared some items ahead of time because he knew he wouldn’t be able to do it all on the day we were eating together.  All in all, everyone had a great night and learned a lot.  We are looking forward to Virtua chefs joining us again this summer!  By then, we’ll be learning how to cook the fresh vegetables that we will be picking from our garden.

On March 30, GIS Director Tarren Anderson gave talks at two photography classes at Cabrini College.  The topics discussed ranged from Hopeworks in general, to WordPress development and Tarren’s photography, found at tarrensworkshop.com.  The talks were coordinated by photographer and human rights activist Linda Panetta, who teaches the courses. Students learned how they can put their own work on the Web using WordPress. They also set up a portal, right in class, that they can use to upload their photos for their photojournalism assignments.

Hopeworks has become a TD Bank Affinity Program participant! This program provides Hopeworks N Camden the opportunity to earn annual cash contributions with absolute ease and no cost to us or YOU!

How does it work?

• Signing up is easy! Ask any TD Bank customer service representative to link your account to Hopeworks ‘N Camden through the Membership Affinity Program.
• TD Bank will contribute a percentage of your annual account balance to Hopeworks ‘N Camden, and your account balance will not be affected in any way; it will simply determine the level of contribution TD Bank will make to us.
• Checking, saving, money markets, CDs, and retirement accounts ARE included in the program.

Check it out!

March was a splendid month for our youth here at Hopeworks. They have been taking big steps in the RIGHT direction! In this past month, Sheree, one of our Day Trainees, earned a job in production. She has always done a phenomenal job in training and is excelling even more as part of the production team.  We also have more youth moving forward in the training.  Seven youth completed and presented their Photoshop self-portraits.  Three others, Yarines, Rhafi and Lewis,  presented their Personal Websites. These trainees are on a roll.  Each day they are getting a step closer to reaching their dreams.  We are all very proud of them!

We have also had lots of new youth join Hopeworks in our Day Program and our Hope Through School program. We believe in all these youth and welcome them into our big family here at Hopeworks! An official welcome goes to Aaron, Dawann, Martha, and Tiana from our day program and to Aishah, Erica, Joel, and Chalice in Hope Through School!

Friday nights mean community dinners at the C.R.I.B.: a good opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy dinner before the weekend begins.  On Friday, March 25th, C.R.I.B. residents and staff enjoyed a great meal with Mary, James, and Lisa, three students attending graduate school at Rutgers.  All three students are also in internships in the Camden community, doing work with residents and local organizations.  We had a great conversation about future dreams and where everyone had come from.  There was a great connection and energy between everyone.  And the best part of our meal together?  All the laughter!  It was so encouraging to connect with other people working hard on their future, as well as just to  laugh and enjoy each other’s company.  Already we are talking about an April BBQ in the backyard.

Rutgers has been a great neighbor to Hopeworks here in North Camden. For the past two years, through a program called Street Law, Rutgers Law School has sent trained law students to engage our youth about the law and how it affects their lives.  Street Law is a program of practical, participatory education about law and democracy for the law students and the youth they engage. Recently, Shana Attas and Tara Fircak became the latest law students to present Street Law here at Hopeworks. They have already presented two lessons on “Should it be a Crime?” and “What Happens in an Arrest?”  We look forward to other thought-provoking and relevant topics, such as lease agreements, tenants’ rights, criminal law, workplace discrimination, and citizen advocacy.  We applaud their efforts in helping our youth confront some tremendous legal challenges.