Category: PHILLY & PA. NEWS

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Furry Valentine\’s Day Photo Contest

Welcome to our First Annual Furry Valentine Contest!

Have an adorable pet who has stolen your heart? Want to show the world how playful your pup is? Is your kitty the cat\’s meow? Then you\’re in the right place! Submit your photo for a chance to score some shelter swag! Share with your friends to increase your chances of winning! Our contest runs through Valentine\’s Day, so spread the word and start racking up the votes!

Prizes

Grand Prize Winner will receive a photoshoot* with SD Photography

Grand Prize Winner will receive 10-15 edited, digital portraits

Grand Prize Winner\’s pet will be included in print materials for Homeward Bound

Grand Prize Winner and 1

st

and 2

nd

Runner Ups each receive a Homeward Bound Prize Bag including: branded hoodie, bandana, water bottle and tshirt

*Photoshoot limited to one animal

About Us

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center is the largest open admission shelter in the region, serving more than 5,000 abused, homeless and neglected animals annually. We offer low cost vaccinations for owned pets, spay/neuter surgeries for community cats, and work with local county officials to ensure the health and safety of homeless and feral companion animals. As of January 2020, Homeward Bound is proud to report a save rate of 92% for all of 2019 as well as a 20% increase in intakes year over. We love our community and are grateful to serve South Jersey.

View Entries & Vote

Enter Contest

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Pet Tips

Pets Are The Best

Frank Colden Invitational: Rutgers-Camden Emily Hill Raises Bar Again in Shot Put

COLLEGEVILLE, Penn. (Feb. 8, 2020) – When she competed in the Collegeville Classic on January 25 at Ursinus College, Rutgers University-Camden sophomore

Emily Hilt

broke her own week-old indoor track program record in the shot put.

The Scarlet Raptors returned to action at Ursinus College again on Saturday for the Frank Colden Invitational and Hilt raised the program shot put standard again.

Hilt finished first of 55 competitors in the women’s shot put with a distance of 12.30 meters, breaking the mark of 12.22 meters she set two weeks ago. It was the fourth time this season, out of five meets, that Hilt has set the Rutgers-Camden record in the shot put. She has thrown an ECAC qualifier in the event four times.

Senior

Nicole DeMarco

finished 25th in the shot put (9.16 meters), while sophomore

Anna Archut

was 44th with a PR of 7.59 meters.

The Rutgers-Camden women also received a stellar performance from sophomore

Kirstin Slater,

who finished ninth out of 25 in the 5,000-meter run. She posted a PR time of 20:24.85.

In the 43-runner race for the seeded 60-meter dash, sophomore

Kaila English

finished 24th (8.54) and freshman

Lizette Abad

was 35th (8.94). In the unseeded 60-meter dash, junior-eligible

Caitlyn Kliniewski

placed 23rd of 29 (10.35).

On the men’s side, junior

Logan Pierson

ran his top time of the season in the unseeded 60-meter dash while winning the event in a 26-man field. He posted a time of 7.64.

Rutgers-Camden’s men had a strong showing in the 400-meter dash, led by junior

Vinny Maine,

who finished 23rd of 64 in a time of 54.41. Sophomore

Desmond Howell

finished 26th (54.74), sophomore

Maxwell Adams

was 28th (a PR of 55.42) and sophomore

Shane Costello

finished 58th (1:06.25).

Freshman

Emmanuel Lewis

finished 12th of 42 with a PR of 12.44 meters in the shot put, while sophomore

Will Gross

was 14th (11.99 meters) and senior

Matt Gross

was 25th (a PR of 10.97 meters).

A trio of Raptors in the men’s mile was led by freshman

David Morrow,

who finished 47th of 58 in a time of 5:12.57. Freshman

Naseem Shreim

finished 18th of 30 in the long jump (5.71 meters).

Rutgers-Camden returns to action on Feb. 15 when it competes at the Susquehanna University Invitational.

Sat. 8

Frank Colden Invitational

(at Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA)

MEN:

No Team Scores

WOMEN:

No Team Scores

Rutgers-Camden School Records:

* Women’s Shot Put, Emily Hilt, 12.30 M (Old: 12.22 by Hilt, Jan. 25, 2020 at the Collegeville Classic)

PA Republicans Question Wolf\’s Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility

By Dave Lemery |

The Center Square

Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, accompanied by a number of other Republican legislative leaders, discusses Gov. Tom Wolf\’s budget address Feb 4, 2020.

HARRISBURG PA–Every year, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget address draws both praise and criticism, and despite his rhetorical attempts to find common ground with his political opponents, his 2020 address Tuesday was no different.

Republican legislative leaders especially took issue with the governor’s assertion that his budget plan would not raise any taxes. In a news conference after the speech, they pointed out that his Restore Pennsylvania proposal, while technically not part of the budget itself, is still factored in. And that plan requires borrowing $4.5 billion to be paid off over the course of 20 years via a new severance tax on natural gas drilling.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman also noted that the proposed decrease in the corporate net income tax rate in Wolf’s budget is more than offset by a plan to require combined reporting.

“So you put those two together, and you\’re well over half a billion [in new tax revenue],” Corman said. “Plus there\’s other things as well. But that\’s at least the two headliners in his proposal.”

Rep. Stan Saylor, the House Appropriations Committee chair, and Sen. Pat Browne, his counterpart in the Senate, took umbrage at reported overspending during the current fiscal year by the Wolf administration and proposals to carry some of that spending in the next budget.

“The two biggest offenders of overspending are usual suspects, the Department of Health Human Services and the Department of Corrections,” Saylor said at the news conference. “The governor\’s proposal says that DHS needs an additional $492 million in the current year. When you dig into the proposal, you can see they also buried another $307 million in current year costs, which were pushed into next fiscal year. That means DHS needs an additional $800 million just in its current fiscal year.”

On the other side of the political spectrum, Senate Democrats were enthused about the governor’s proposal.

“We are excited to work with @GovernorTomWolf, especially on a number of policies & funding plans he outlined today that include many of the items we have been discussing,” the Senate Democrats’ Twitter account said.

“This budget plan would hold the line on taxes while stoking investment in education, job training and business expansion,” Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Pittsburgh, said in a statement. “I was particularly pleased that the governor voiced his support for several of my legislative initiatives. For example, the governor is seeking more dollars for public school funding, early education programs and grant support for college students.

House Democrats were similarly pleased.

“Our children deserve a high-quality public education regardless of where they grow up,” Rep. Matt Bradford, the Democratic chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said in a statement. “Two budget initiatives presented by Governor Wolf today – investing an additional $30 million to fund high-quality pre-K and mandating free, full-day kindergarten – are commonsense steps to ensure kids receive the type of full-time learning environment they deserve during their formative years, which research shows us is vital for social skills, cognitive development and lifelong economic mobility.”

The governor’s plan to use revenue from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to fund transportation improvements drew praise from at least one environmental group.

“Governor Wolf mapped out a strong vision to better the lives of all Pennsylvanians, including a firm commitment to joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative,” Mark Szybist, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a news release. “Not only would this curb harmful climate pollution – it would also help clean up the air our children breathe, enable Pennsylvania to invest in a transportation system that works for everyone, and create family-sustaining jobs and a more equitable society.”

The nonprofit Commonwealth Foundation, which advocates for small government and market-based solutions, was much more critical of the governor’s address.

“Gov. Wolf’s proposed General Fund Budget of $36.1 billion would increase spending by 6.1% over last year’s enacted budget,” wrote Nathan Benefield, the foundation’s vice president and chief operating officer. “His overall spending plan – a $89.3 billion operating budget – represents an increase of 3%. These increases significantly exceed taxpayers’ ability to pay.”

Benefield noted that if the Taxpayer Protection Act were in effect, the most the state budget could grow to is $34.7 billion. Under the TPA, state budget growth would be pegged to population growth and the rate of inflation.

The foundation also lamented the overruns during the current fiscal year that Saylor and Browne had noted.

“Routine cost overruns hide the true growth in spending, side-step lawmakers’ ability to prioritize spending, and add to Pennsylvania’s already high tax burden on working families,” Benefield said. “Legislators need to take back control by adopting honest budgeting, including House Bill 1861 (Rep. Seth Grove) and Senate Bill 885 (Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill) that would require supplemental spending to be voted on in a standalone bill.”

published here by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

Middle-Aged Adults Worried About Health Insurance Costs Now, Uncertain for Future

Newswise — Health insurance costs weigh heavily on the minds of many middle-aged adults, and many are worried for what they’ll face in retirement or if federal health policies change, according to a new study just published in JAMA Network Open.

More than a quarter of people in their 50s and early 60s lack confidence that they’ll be able to afford health insurance in the next year, and the number goes up to nearly half when they look ahead to retirement. Two-thirds are concerned about how potential changes in health insurance policies at the national level could affect them.

Nearly one in five of survey respondents who are working say they’ve kept a job in the past year in order to keep their employer-sponsored health insurance. And 15% of those who are working say they’ve delayed retirement, or thought about it, because of their insurance.

The study uses data from

the National Poll on Healthy Aging

, conducted in late 2018, during the open enrollment period for many employers’ insurance plans, and near the start of open enrollment for Medicare and plans available to individuals on federal and state marketplace sites.

“Seeking regular medical care is critically important for adults in their 50s and 60s, to prevent and treat health conditions,“ says lead author Renuka Tipirneni, M.D., M.Sc. “We found that many adults in this age group are unfortunately worried about affording health insurance and avoiding care because of costs.” Tipirneni is an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan and a member of the

U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation

, which runs the poll. She sees patients in the General Medicine clinics at Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center.

The poll was conducted at a time when the Affordable Care Act had survived challenges in Congress but was facing possible changes or invalidation in a federal court case. That case is now pending before the Supreme Court.

“It is clear from our poll that health care remains a top issue for middle-aged adults and that many of them find the recent uncertainty surrounding federal healthcare policies troubling,“ says senior author Aaron Scherer, Ph.D., an associate in internal medicine at the University of Iowa and former postdoctoral fellow at U-M. “Policymakers should work to ensure the stability and affordability of health insurance for vulnerable adults on the verge of retirement.”

The worries about cost already affect how people in this pre-Medicare age group use health care, the study finds. More than 18 percent had avoided seeking care, or had not filled a prescription, because of cost in the past year.

Those who were in fair or poor health were four times more likely to have avoided care. Those with an insurance plan purchased on the individual level, such as the federal Marketplace, were three times more likely to have avoided seeking care or filling a prescription.

The poll of 1,024 adults in their pre-Medicare years was conducted sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center.

The poll focuses on those approaching the “magic” age of 65, when most Americans qualify for Medicare health insurance. The researchers say their findings hold implications for policy proposals that would offer Medicare availability at younger ages, or offer a publicly-funded plan on the federal Marketplace.

How Can CIOs Drive Positive Culture Changes?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 8, 2020)–As accepted leaders in technology, IT professionals have the best chance to model the preferred behaviors. Creating a stirring narrative also helps employees visualize the impetus for culture change and get on board faster.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

Digital technologies have changed the way that we work and live. Organizations are rushing to stay on top of the latest innovations as well as changing customer expectations. Corporate culture must also evolve. In the past, many companies maintained cultures that emphasized stability, predictability, and consistency, but that doesn\’t reflect the reality of businesses that face disruption from more nimble competitors. Therefore, CIOs must stay on top of new technologies in order to respond to the changing marketplace and exceed customer demands.

Business IT services

business owner Gary Harlam from Technology Advisory Group shares three ways CIOs can expedite culture change in their organizations.

How Can CIOs Reinforce the Desired Culture?

CIOs can invest in technologies that reinforce culture changes. Culture heavily influences the outcome of transformation initiatives when it comes to enterprise technology decisions. The more nimble your organization is, the more open your teams will be to try new things. This can shortcut adaption to change, which leads to market, profitability and productivity improvements.

Culture certainly affects the success of technology adoption, but technology can influence corporate culture too. For instance, collaboration tools are commonplace in small and large organizations.

With cloud-based file-sharing capability, it’s easier than ever to achieve transparency. This gets information out to employees so they can make data-driven decisions.

How Can You Incubate New Culture in IT?

Effective CIOs know that IT is a great testing ground for corporate culture changes. IT professionals live by the motto “test and learn.” Working in IT involves continuous on-the-job training to evaluate the potential of new technologies and apply them to solve real business problems. This adaptability leaves technology teams open to explore culture initiatives.

One financial service CIO put this to the test in his organization, which faced growing pressure from cloud-first start-ups encroaching on the industry. As digitally-native consumers grew, leaders realized they needed to update their operating model to grow their customer base. New technology and flexible products were needed to meet changing expectations.

According to CIO magazine, a cross-functional team aligned to customer outcomes rolled out a new decision-making process that pushed decision-making authority down to the employees completing the work whenever possible.

IT support

teams were the first to use an enterprise collaboration platform that let everyone share ideas, best practices, and data.

How Can You Muster Top-Level Support for Culture Changes?

For many companies, digital initiatives top their enterprise strategy priorities. Therefore, CIOs have access to their counterparts on the executive team, and they have a hand in strategic decision-making. Additionally, the CIO can use their access to the technology to help drive transformations to corporate culture. This is the cross-functional collaboration needed to create lasting organizational change.

C-level support is essential to the adoption of culture change across the enterprise. However, a top-down approach won’t lead to the genuine interest needed to maintain the culture changes. CIOs should reach out to cross-functional stakeholders to encourage change at a basic level that can influence day-to-day operations.

For executives trying to build grass-roots momentum, the IT team is the right place to begin. As accepted leaders in technology,

IT service professionals

have the best chance to model the preferred behaviors. Creating a stirring narrative also helps employees visualize the impetus for culture change and get on board faster.

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.

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.

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.

4th-Graders in Pennsylvania Score 4 Points Above National Avg. on Math; NJ 4th-Graders Score 6 Points Above

The Center Square

Fourth-graders in Pennsylvania on average scored 244 on a standardized math test administered last year, which is four points above the 2019

national average calculated by the National Assessment of Educational Progress

(NAEP).

The Pennsylvania students’ average score ranked in a tie for eighth among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Among the fourth-graders in Pennsylvania who took the assessment, 81 percent tested at or above the basic achievement level, while 47 percent tested at or above the proficient level, according to the analysis.

In total, fourth-graders in 15 of the jurisdictions had average scores above the national average. Another 20 jurisdictions had average scores that didn’t vary significantly from the U.S. average, according to the study, while 17 posted average scores that were well below the national average.

The NAEP uses the academic results of such tests to improve public education in the U.S. The effort is carried out under the direction of the U.S. Department of Education.

—

4th-Grade Math Scores, State by State

published here by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square