NJBIA Supports Tax Incentive Report on Economic Growth Strategies

New Jersey Business & Industry Association Vice President of Government Affairs Christopher Emigholz issued the following statement today regarding the release of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies (SEGS) report.

\”NJBIA thanks the Special Committee for its report and recommendations. We also appreciate the opportunity to participate in the SEGS hearings and are pleased to see some of our ideas on the next generation of this important economic development tool in the report.

\”NJBIA strongly supports the report\’s recommendations of no annual overall cap combined with enhanced net benefit tests. If a net benefit test shows that the state is benefitting, then why would we want to cap success?

\”Additionally, we support the idea of targeting high-growth projects and industries – but would like to see the manufacturing target be broadened beyond just \”advanced manufacturing.\” We are also supportive of better integrating workforce development resources into the tax incentive program, as this report suggests.

\”We know that the business community, the Legislature and Governor Murphy are all in agreement that a responsible and competitive tax incentive program, with appropriate oversight of its effectiveness, plays a key role in the state\’s economic development strategy.

\”With the report now complete, it is imperative that there is no further delay in our policymakers working together to deliver a comprehensive program that is accountable, responsible and makes New Jersey regionally competitive.

\”New Jersey\’s economy has been damaged by not having an economic incentive program over the past seven months. Absent this program, New Jersey remains without the much-needed mechanism to level the playing field against our regional competitors who have a less challenging business climate.\”

JEROME BY DAVE WOLFE

ARTIST Dave Wolfe

Vol. 6 No. 32 (February 9, 2020)

Editor\’s Note: Each Sunday morning we post a weekly comic strip provided by cartoonist Dave Wolfe. (click image to enlarge)

Kimmel Center Presents : Grey Rock

\”\’Making theater shows in Palestine\’ — with a limited infrastructure and lack of state funding — \’sometimes feels like building rockets,\’ [Amir Nizar Zuabi, playwright] said. \’But when they take off, it’s glorious.\’\”

– The New York Times

PHILADELPHIA PA–A play about the inalienable right to dream, Grey Rock tells the story of a Palestinian man so enamored with the 1969 American moon landing that he muses, \”shouldn\’t Palestine, the land of prophets, also have a presence on the moon?\” Without

money or technology, but with the help of his bemused West Bank neighbors, he sets out to build a space shuttle. Knowing full well that he can\’t succeed with this impossible, but necessary task. Chaos ensues when his family discovers his plan.

This humorous, poetic work is performed by a five-member cast (from the West Bank and Israel) featuring renowned theater/screen actor, Khalifa Natour. Commissioned and Produced by U.S.-based Remote Theater Project to address English speaking communities.

Credits

The play was developed with support from The A. M. Qattan Foundation, Tajwaal Foundation, CEC Arts Link, Tilt Left Fund , The Still Point Fund, La MaMa Theatre, and many private individuals. Grey Rock first premiered at La MaMa Theatre.

Who is Remote Theater Project?

Remote Theater Project, an American theater company founded and led by Producing Artistic Director Alexandra Aron. The company is dedicated to bringing theater artists who are geographically or politically isolated to New York City to develop new work and help them to tour internationally to have their voices heard outside the confines of their region and reach. Grey Rock is the first play commissioned by Remote Theater Project.

Who is Amir Nizar Zuabi?

Amir Nizar Zuabi is considered by his peers and theatre critics, to be one of the leading theatre directors in the Middle East. After graduating with honors from Israel’s prestigious Nissan Native Acting Studio, and attending workshops in France and Russia, Zuabi first cut his teeth directing “Stories Under Occupation” for Al Kasabah theatre in Ramallah. (Best Production – Cairo Theatre festival and Cartage festival). The show toured extensively, to wide acclaim, at the Royal Court London, Tokyo International Arts Festival, Goteborg Festival, amongst other destinations.

\”Hatchet Killer\” Shane Whipple, 29, of Berlin Sentenced to 75 Years Prison Term

Camden City, N.J. – A Berlin man was sentenced to life in prison Feb. 7 for brutally killing his aunt with a hatchet inside her Berlin apartment in 2018, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill Mayer.

Shane Whipple, 29, of Berlin, (photo) was sentenced to 75 years subject to the No Early Release Act by Judge

Mark Chase.

Whipple was convicted Dec. 10, 2019 of killing his aunt, 44-year-old Jennifer Whipple. Detectives said Whipple was staying with his aunt at her Berlin apartment before she called police Jan. 25, 2018 and asked them to escort him off the property due to his violent behavior.

Homicide detectives discovered that Whipple purchased a hatchet at the Berlin Mart the next day and returned to the apartment with it. Surveillance footage at the Taylor Woods complex captured him entering and leaving Jennifer Whipple’s apartment building shortly before 5 p.m. Jan. 26 carrying what was believed to be the hatchet.

Police discovered Jennifer Whipple’s body Jan. 27, 2018 while conducting a well-being check requested by her family She had been fatally hit in the head multiple times with a sharp object.

At the trial, Acting Assistant Prosecutors Christine Shah and Anna Trenga presented evidence to a jury over four days. The jury convicted Whipple of first-degree murder and associated weapons offenses after only 90 minutes of deliberation.

Under No Early Release Act guidelines, Whipple must serve 63 years, 9 months and three days before becoming eligible for parole.

Gloucester City Weekend Sports

Gloucester High School

Gloucester Catholic

https://darrowphotos.com

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (February 8, 2020)–The future GHS basketball standouts were on display this weekend. The Gloucester City Basketball Travel boys grade 3/4 hosted Oak Valley, while the Lions Junior Varsity and Varsity Boys hosted up and coming Salem County Vocational from Woodstown.

Pictured below #13 Adrian DelGado

Pictured below #15 Austin Elmore

Pictured below #33 Evan Coxe

Pictured below Jon Smith

Pictured below Xavier DePoder

Pictured below Goucester Connor Cohan

Patrick J. Tobin of Mickleton; Basketball and Softball Coach, GCHS Alumnus

Patrick J. Tobin, of Mickleton, New Jersey, passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 2, 2020. He was 46 years old. Patrick was born in Woodbury, New Jersey and graduated from Gloucester Catholic & Wilmington University. Patrick spent his life dedicated to helping others with his career as a Registered Nurse. Patrick\’s

greatest passion was his family, especially his three adorable daughters whom he loved to the moon and back. He was larger than life and always brought out the best in everyone he encountered along his life\’s journey. Patrick loved spending time on the beach. He was a passionate Eagles fan and was a huge Philadelphia Sports enthusiast. Patrick coached his daughter\’s basketball team at St. Margaret\’s Regional School and also coached softball. Patrick will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is the beloved husband of Colleen (nee Tinney); loving father of Madelyn, Charlotte & Elizabeth Tobin; dear brother of Phil (Anita), Mary Kate

Smith

(Dan), Jimmy, Tommy (Mary), Johnny (Dawn), Peggy Ann Gambone (Mike), Ellen McKenna (Bruce); brother-in-law of Connie (David) Lees and son-in-law of Edward & Dorothy Tinney. Patrick is predeceased by his parents, Philip & Margaret (nee Ryder) and his brother, Michael (Stacia). A cherished uncle to many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Patrick\’s visitation on Monday, February 10th, 2020 from 4 to 8 PM at the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 11th, 2020 at 10:30 AM in Holy Angels Parish, St. Patrick\’s R. C. Church, Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Swedesboro. In lieu of flowers, Patrick\’s family kindly requests memorial contributions made to The Tobin Girls\’ Educational Fund, c/o TD Bank, 148 North Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062.

In Response to Climate Change, the State DEP Begins Reforms Environmental Requirements

TRENTON – One week after Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced a comprehensive effort to modernize New Jersey\’s environmental regulations to protect our communities and economy against the threats of climate change, the Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with a collaborative rule making process, holding several stakeholder events throughout February and March, to make the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJ PACT) reforms a reality.

The DEP has scheduled a series of stakeholder sessions to gather input from residents, businesses and advocates on the development of new greenhouse gas reduction and environmental land use regulations aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and adapting to the realities of certain impacts, like sea-level rise.

\”New Jersey is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from sea-level rise that threatens our coastline to air pollution that harms our most vulnerable communities,\” said Governor Murphy. \”We are moving swiftly to enact the regulations outlined in NJ PACT to reduce fossil fuel emissions and ensure investments in our innovation economy and communities. These policies, which will make New Jersey a global leader in the clean energy transition and fight against climate change, will help propel New Jersey to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.\”

\”In New Jersey, we take seriously the science of climate change. We are heeding the warnings about risks like sea-level rise and acting with the urgency that these threats demand,\” said Commissioner McCabe. \”As we work to modernize our environmental regulations to reflect the best available science, DEP is committed to a thoughtful and collaborative approach that engages stakeholders from across all sectors of our economy, non-governmental organizations, academia, and local government. We are all in this together.\”

On Jan. 27, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 100, directing the DEP to make targeted regulatory reforms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change through the NJ PACT initiative. New Jersey is the first state to embark on a such an ambitious framework of measures targeted to both reduce emissions of climate pollutants and reform environmental land use policy to adapt to climate realities and ensure long-term resilience.

With Governor Murphy\’s leadership, New Jersey has been implementing a number of initiatives to both mitigate against future climate change and adapt to its certain effects, including releasing a clean-energy focused Energy Master Plan and ordering the development of a Statewide Climate Resilience Strategy, making New Jersey a national leader in the fight against climate change.

NJ PACT is the next evolution of these efforts, modernizing air quality regulations that will limit emissions of climate pollutants that exacerbate global warming, as well as environmental land use regulations that equip DEP, local governments, residents and businesses with tools to effectively respond to current climate threats. They are also forward looking, seeking to reduce future climate damages through rules for green infrastructure and resilient building that will help New Jersey fight risks like sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Soliciting feedback from the public and stakeholders for proposed environmental regulations is the first step in the rulemaking process that will conclude by January 2022. In advance of that date, DEP will consider all input it receives during its public stakeholder process as it formulates rule proposals. Once proposals are finalized, they will be published in the New Jersey Register for public comment and, after careful consideration of any comments received, finalized for adoption.

The DEP will hold initial stakeholder sessions on the following potential rules:

* Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., focusing on periodic monitoring and reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., focusing on ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Wednesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to discuss rules to better plan for sea-level rise, extreme weather events and flooding, hosted by the Land Use Management program.

All sessions for both programs are open to public comment. They will be held at the DEP\’s First Floor Public Hearing Room, 401 East State Street, Trenton 08625.

Due to space limitations, the DEP is requesting attendees to RSVP. For more information, including session details, RSVP deadlines and contacts, visit

https://www.nj.gov/dep/njpact/

NJ SIERRA CLUB: Philly Refinery Led Nation in Benzene Pollution

TRENTON NJ (February 7, 2020)–The Environmental Integrity Project released a report today which monitored benzene levels at 100 refinery fence lines across the nation. As of the third quarter of 2019 (which ended on September 30, 2019), fence line benzene levels at 10 refineries exceeded the EPA “action level”. Facilities like the

Philadelphia Energy Solutions in Pennsylvania had the highest benzene levels where net concentrations were 49 and 444% greater than EPA Action Level and three times higher than California’s chronic reference exposure level. The refinery filed for bankruptcy and has been closed since July, they are looking to sell.

“The recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project should be an alarm bell going off to the Murphy Administration. The fenceline at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Facility had benzene levels that are over 5 times the EPA standard. This is the biggest release of benzene in the country and the EPA is not cracking down on mitigating it. Benzene has serious impacts on public health, including respiratory diseases, higher cancer rates, and even premature death. The facility is also right over the Delaware River and prevailing winds could have caused major impacts to South Jersey, including the Camden area. It’s good that the facility shut down but not because the EPA forced it too for polluting our health and environment,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System indicates that inhaling benzene concentrations as low as 13 micrograms per cubic meter over a lifetime is likely to cause one additional cancer case for every 10,000 people exposed. The EPA requirements include if the benzene level at any of the monitoring location exceeds an average of 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a one-year period, the EPA regulations require the facility to conduct a root cause analysis to determine the source of the toxic emissions and to then take action to fix the problem and lower the concentrations.

“Oil refineries like the one in South Philly need to be held accountable for emitting toxic chemicals like benzene and other toxic pollutants. Benzene is known as a human carcinogenic and Communities living near the fenceline of these facilities can have long term and chronic exposure to this chemical. Since Trump’s EPA have let these facilities get away with putting our environment and health at risk, it is even more important that states step up,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Atlantic City Electric Customers Continue to Experience Improvements in Energy Service

Continued modernization of the energy grid playing major role in improving service performance

MAYS LANDING, N.J.

(Feb. 6, 2020) – Atlantic City Electric customers across South Jersey are continuing to experience improvements in the reliability of their energy service, a result of Atlantic City Electric’s ongoing efforts to modernize the local energy grid. During the past five years, energy system upgrades and new innovative technologies have driven a 22 percent decrease in the frequency of electric outages customers experienced.

The frequency of outages and the average duration of outages in 2019 remained some of the company’s lowest ever. Last year, customers experienced less than one outage, on average, over the course of the year, and if service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in just 86 minutes, on average, in 2019.

“The unwavering commitment our employees have to providing the best possible service for our customers is key to our repeated success,” said Tyler Anthony, senior vice president & COO, Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. “Through their hard work, and our integration of advanced technologies and industry best practices, we continue to meet our customers evolving energy needs and be a leader in the delivery of clean, safe and reliable energy.”

Atlantic City Electric received PA Consulting\’s 2019 ReliabilityOne™ Most Improved Utility Award for efforts to modernize the local energy grid and deliver more reliable service for its customers. This is the second consecutive year PA Consulting recognized Atlantic City Electric\’s service reliability, providing the company with its ReliabilityOne™ Outstanding Midsize Utility Award in 2018.

Each day, work is performed as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to further improve reliability for customers. This work includes inspecting existing infrastructure, trimming trees that could potentially impact the system,building new substations, building new underground equipment, strengthening transmission and distribution lines, and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. The company also is installing innovative technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service more quickly or isolate damage. These new technologies have been a main driver behind the continued drop in the frequency of outages customers experience.

In 2019, Atlantic City Electric completed several key projects to help modernize the energy grid and enhance reliability for customers. These projects included:

Monroe to Tansboro Transmission Line Upgrades

– Upgraded more than 8 miles of existing electric transmission line in portions of Winslow and Monroe townships which included state-of-the-art steel utility poles, among other upgrades, to improve service for more than 83,000 customers in Camden and Gloucester counties.

Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades

– Completed 41 miles of transmission system upgrades and substation enhancements across five counties and 13 municipalities, improving service to more than half of the company’s 560,000 customers from Atlantic to Salem counties.

Rio Grande Substation Rebuild

– Upgraded an existing substation with new electric equipment including three new transformers, animal guarding and other enhancements to benefit thousands of customers in Middle and Lower townships in Cape May County. Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades

In 2020, Atlantic City Electric will perform work on several major projects as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance reliability and modernize the local energy grid, all to provide customers with the reliable energy service they have come to expect. Some of these projects include:

Atlantic City/Brigantine Community Reliability Project

– Modernizing an existing substation and rebuilding two critical transmission lines between Atlantic City and Brigantine to strengthen the local energy infrastructure against more extreme weather and improve reliability for local customers.

PowerAhead Grid Resiliency Initiative

– Continuing to perform strategic reliability enhancement work across portions of the company’s service area to modernize and enhance energy infrastructure in areas that have experienced outages during severe storms.

Atlantic City Electric also continues to share best practices for managing the local energy grid and responding to outages with its Exelon sister companies, BGE in Baltimore, ComEd in Chicago, Delmarva Power in Delaware, PECO in Philadelphia, and Pepco in Washington, D.C

Readers are encouraged to visit

The Source

Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit

atlanticcityelectric.com

. Follow the company on Facebook at

facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric

and on Twitter at

twitter.com/acelecconnect

Our mobile app is available at

atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp

First Grantees of New $1 Million Camden City Community Grant Program Announced

Conner Strong & Buckelew, American Water,

The Michaels Organization, NFI,

The Cooper Foundation Sponsor Community Building Grants

to 29 Camden City Based Non-Profit Organizations

CAMDEN CITY, NJ – George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care, announced today that 29 Camden City based non-profit community organizations will receive grant awards from the first ever Camden City Community Grant Program. Each grantee will receive a $5,000 grant to fund a significant community building activity within the next 18 months.

Conner Strong & Buckelew, American Water, The Michaels Organization, NFI, and The Cooper Foundation are the founding sponsors of the new $1 million grant program which will award community building grants over the next five years to Camden City based non-profit organizations committed to making Camden a healthier place to live, work, learn and play.

“Camden-based companies investing in Camden-based non-profit organizations reinforces the idea that we must all work together for Camden to continue its renaissance,” said Norcross. “I want to thank our founding sponsors for supporting this program and for valuing the essential services that these Camden community organizations provide to strengthen and enrich the lives of Camden residents.”

The goal of the new grant program is to address social determinants of health by funding applicants that demonstrate a focus on one of the following Community Building Activities: physical improvements and housing, economic development, community support, environmental improvements, leadership development and training for community members, coalition building, community health improvement advocacy or workforce development.

The 29 organizations awarded grants address a wide range of needs that have significant impact on the health and welfare of the community. These grants will support vital programs and services to diversified populations across the city.

“Congratulations to the outstanding grant recipients who are making positive contributions in our community each and every day,” said Susan Bass Levin, President & CEO of The Cooper Foundation. “From summer enrichment programs to initiatives that address food insecurity, job readiness and access to cultural opportunities, we look forward to seeing how the grantees’ programs will enhance the lives of Camden residents.”

“Non-profit organizations rely on grants and donations to fund the important work we do on the front-lines,” said Yaniece Spencer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Boys of Sustainable Strength (B.O.S.S.) Mentoring, Inc. and one of the grant award recipients. “With this Camden City Community Grant, B.O.S.S. and other organizations, will support new and innovative programs that change lives.”

Below is the complete list of the Camden City Community Grant Program recipients:

COALITION BUILDING

The Heart of CamdenProgram: Next Generation GreenPurpose of Grant: To develop the next generation of green leaders by building a community coalition of youth ambassadors to address a cleaner, greener and healthier neighborhood.

COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ADVOCACY

Cathedral Soup KitchenProgram: Cathedral Kitchen Meal ProgramPurpose of Grant: To help sustain Cathedral Kitchen meal program which serves more than 3,000 individuals and more than 122,000 meals each year.

Center for Environmental TransformationProgram: Summer Youth ProgramPurpose of Grant: To hire additional teens for the summer program which employs Camden youth who work in the gardens and operate a local farmer’s market.

Joseph’s House of CamdenProgram: Connection HUBPurpose of Grant: To provide supplies to support the day provider program which links homeless guests to critical services such as housing, employment, healthcare, and addiction services.

The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ, Inc.Program: Pathways to HealthPurpose of Grant: To fund supplies, workshops and client transportation for bilingual and bicultural residents in need of assistance navigating the complex healthcare and health insurance systems.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Boys of Sustainable Strength, Inc. (B.O.S.S.)Program: BOSS UP – Helping City Males SucceedPurpose of Grant: To support a weekly mentoring program where boys ages 8-18 have a safe environment to discuss everyday issues, plan for the future, and promote healthy lifestyles.

Camden Day NurseryProgram: Early Literacy Initiative Purpose of Grant: To create 90 story time boxes containing books, puppets, songs, crafts and games for parents to check-out to increase access to literacy activities.

Camden FireWorksProgram: Capacity Building GrantPurpose of Grant: To improve outreach communication with neighbors and members of the artistic community to bring free and diverse arts experiences to the City of Camden.

Center for Aquatic SciencesProgram: Community & Urban Science Enrichment (CAUSE) ProgramPurpose of Grant: To support a youth development program for Camden teens that provides intensive training in aquatic science, skill and character building, mentoring, paid work experience and college preparation.

Hope Community Outreach ServicesProgram: Youth Summer CampPurpose of Grant: To engage students ages 5-14 in healthy, safe and educational activities throughout the summer.

I Dare to Care Association, Inc. (ID2C)Program: “Selfcare…It Starts With Me” ConferencePurpose of Grant: To fund a one-day conference in Camden for young women ages 7 and up which will include workshops and activities that promote self-awareness, mindfulness and community involvement.

Lanning Square West Residents AssociationProgram: The Gathering Table at Lanning Square WestPurpose of Grant: To provide holistic and cultural programs and activities designed to improve the health of residents in Lanning Square.

Mighty WritersProgram: Mighty Writers CamdenPurpose of Grant: To support free, after school writing workshops focused on mindfulness at four Camden locations.

Morgan Village Circle Community Development CorporationProgram: Morgan Village Arts, Science & Technology ProgramPurpose of Grant: To continue a safe haven program for at-risk children using career readiness classes in areas of STEM, STEAM and SMART.

National Stop the Violence Alliance, Inc.Program: What About YOUth (W.A.Y.) InitiativePurpose of Grant: To expand youth initiative which seeks to improve education skills, attitudes toward law enforcement, conflict resolution and self-esteem.

Nazarene Community Development FoundationProgram: JOY (Just Older Youth)Purpose of Grant: To provide health and wellness resources to seniors by offering opportunities for socialization, creativity and education.

Saint Joseph\’s Carpenter SocietyProgram: Home Maintenance LabPurpose of Grant: To fund an innovative classroom experience which teaches homeowners how to complete routine home maintenance and simple repairs.

South Camden Theatre Company, Inc.Program: Camden Resident Ticketing Program – 2020 Season of CelebrationPurpose of Grant: To promote a ticketing program which offers Camden residents a generous reduction in their general admission ticket price from $25 to $5 per ticket.

Your Education Consultants & ServicesProgram: MEL/MLK After School Safe Haven Enrichment & WorkshopsPurpose of Grant: To provide after-school learning, tutoring, homework assistance, guidance services and mentoring to students in the Gateway section of Parkside.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Salvation Army – Camden Kroc CenterProgram: Client Choice Food PantryPurpose of Grant: To enhance the pantry’s emergency food service by providing Cramer Hill and other Camden residents with nutrition education, recipes and other tools to implement a healthier diet.

Volunteers of America Delaware ValleyProgram: Volunteer UP Reentry Legal Aid FundPurpose of Grant: To support an existing civil legal aid fund for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Camden City jobseekers by removing barriers to successful reentry.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Koinonia Family Life, Inc. d.b.a. Camden Dream Center Technology Training SchoolProgram: 2020 Camden Dream CDF Freedom Summer School ProgramPurpose of Grant: To operate a 6-week summer literacy and STEM enrichment program for Camden youth in grades K-8.

Viet Lead Program: Youth ProgrammingPurpose of Grant: To support three youth programs, Jersey Roots, Resilient Roots, and a Community Garden, which teach students how to grow and maintain a garden and prepare healthy meals.

PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HOUSING

Boys & Girls Club of Camden CountyProgram: Locker Room Enhancement ProjectPurpose of Grant: To upgrade/repair the gym lockers and benches used by the club members and youth athletes utilizing the club in East Camden.

Cooper-Grant Neighborhood AssociationProgram: Cooper-Grant ArtsGardenPurpose of Grant: To transform a blighted lot in the Cooper Grant neighborhood into an Arts Garden by installing a variety of arts-related infrastructure including an art gallery, performance stage and seating, walkways, flower planters, birdhouses and other items to improve the site.

St. Paul’s Episcopal ChurchProgram: Lavatory Renovation ProjectPurpose of Grant: To upgrade restrooms for participants of weekly food distribution program and the daily Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey, Inc.Program: Internship Program for High School Students Purpose of Grant: To add additional interns to existing 16-week internship program.

Hopeworks Program: Recode Your FuturePurpose of Grant: To add additional slots to award-winning training program which places Camden young people in jobs at Camden companies.

Puerto Rican Unity for ProgressProgram: Pathway to SuccessPurpose of Grant: To support a workforce development program for vulnerable individuals by creating individualized plans for participants to gain the skills necessary to obtain sustainable employment.