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| Agency Mission and CAP Promise |
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The agency's mission is to provide services that improve the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency.
CAP Promise: Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
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| Contact Information |
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Rivers Edge Campus
(Headquarters)
110 Cohansey Street
Bridgeton, NJ
08302
(856) 451-6330
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The name Gateway Community Action Partnership reflects our expanded coverage area, but more importantly, it signifies what we are all about. We are a gateway to success for individuals and families in our community and we achieve those results through actions done in partnership within that very community we serve. So please take a minute to read our newsletter and learn more about our successes and struggles as we serve a Gateway to Community Action in Partnership with others for everyone's benefit!
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Wells Fargo Regional Foundation's Grant
Celebrated By Gateway CAP With Community Day
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Gateway Community Action Partnership held a community day and reception in July in celebration of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation Neighborhood Planning Grant Award. The Wells Fargo Regional Foundation has awarded Gateway Community Action Partnership $85,000 to fund a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization planning process for the Southeast Gateway neighborhood in Bridgeton.
This planning grant will engage residents, elected officials and stakeholders in a 14-month planning process to envision the revitalization of the Southeast Gateway.
The Southeast Gateway Neighborhood Community Day featured games, prizes, food, vendors, entertainment and information and resources for children and families.
The next step in the planning process is the resident survey, which will take place during the month of July. Summer Interns will go door-to-door engaging with residents in a grass roots effort to ascertain the needs and vision for the Southeast Gateway Neighborhood.
"This is about getting people engaged and excited about getting involved in the planning process," said Edward Bethea, Gateway's Executive Vice President and COO. "It's about the future. It's about what neighborhood do you want your children to describe, to thrive, to be excited about. I think the most exciting part of this planning grant is the opportunity to get more and more people involved in the process. The work is not done. We have more work to do."
Denise McGregor Armbrister, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, presented the $85,000 check to Gateway Community Action Partnership.
"Although a lot has been accomplished in Southeast Gateway, there is still a lot of work to do," Armbrister said. "Successful neighborhood revitalization works best when residents and community leaders come together, as partners, to develop a plan which will serve as the vision for the future of the community. We are pleased to present Gateway Community Action Partnership with $85,000 for the new Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. We are really excited. Congratulations."
Albert B. Kelly, President and CEO of Gateway Community Action Partnership and Mayor of the City of Bridgeton, closed out the reception by addressing the attendees.
"Today is an important day for the City of Bridgeton," Kelly said. "I want to thank everyone here for making a difference in the City of Bridgeton. I want to thank all of the Southeast Gateway neighborhood residents for working together to make their city a great city. Let's continue to work together, let's continue to support each other, let's continue to make Bridgeton a great, great city."
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Gateway, CompleteCare And Inspira Put The WOW In Mobile Health And Dental Unit
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Gateway Community Action Partnership, Inspira Health Network and CompleteCare are collaborating on a project called Wellness On Wheels or WOW, a mobile health and dental center. The three organizations each contributed $75,000, a total of $225,000, to purchase a 30-foot, fully-equipped, state-of-the-art mobile unit that will deliver quality health and dental services to area residents.
Staff from Gateway Community Action Partnership, Inspira and Complete Care met for its first team planning meeting in early June, discussing the WOW mobile partnership. The meeting allowed the three agencies to discuss how the team will collaborate and work together in partnership to provide quality services for clients served by the WOW mobile. Topics discussed during the meeting include updates on the completion of the mobile unit, scheduling for the upcoming year and licensing requirements.
The vehicle will include a dental station and a full-service health clinic and waiting area, enabling area residents to access care, as well as obtain information and referrals for additional medical services, as needed, in one location.
The vehicle will travel to remote locations for care, as well as participate in community health fairs and events.
"The WOW mobile is a three-way community partnership. It shows another way for agencies in Cumberland County to partner and collaborate," said Edward Bethea, CCAP, Gateway Executive VP/COO. "Collaboration means that we come together and we make it work together. What we are trying to do is to figure out the best way to work together and be as successful as possible."
The WOW mobile is planned to go into service sometime in 2017.
The vehicle will be owned by Gateway and licensed by CompleteCare with Inspira assisting with scheduling and facilitating essential community outreach.
Gateway, Inspira and CompleteCare will meet on a monthly basis, working together to deliver quality, affordable health care to needy individuals throughout Cumberland County.
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Cumberland County Housing First Places First Three In Permanent Housing;
Inspira Supports Housing Initiative For Homeless With $50,000 Donation
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First three clients move into new permanent housing.
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The Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative moved their first three clients into permanent housing in June. Community groups and individuals provided the clients with household items for their new homes.
Through the state's Housing First initiative, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs selected Gateway Community Action Partnership as the lead agency to manage the distribution of 42 State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) vouchers and $21,000 in additional funding for coordinated services to house the homeless.
In the Housing First approach, qualified individuals are rapidly housed to provide stability and encouraged to access support services that will enhance success. Some of the key principles are: quick access to housing, support services with assertive engagement, tenancy is not dependent on participation in services, units are targeted to the disabled and most vulnerable, embracing a harm-reduction approach and provide leases and tenant protections.
Housing frequent users of the health care and correctional systems can lead to increased cost savings, improved quality of life and self-sufficiency and decreased shelter usage, jail recidivism and use of health care systems.
In July, Inspira announced its $50,000 donation to the Cumberland County Housing First Initiative in a check passing event held at Inspira Health Center in Bridgeton.
Albert B. Kelly, Gateway's President and CEO, was among those to address individuals in attendance. "I want to thank everyone here for making a difference in the City of Bridgeton," Kelly said. "I thank you for your time, effort, and volunteerism. It's because of people like you, who invest their time, effort and dollars into making Housing First and Code Blue work."
The Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative is a partnership among local social service organizations, faith-based institutions, and government officials all committed to ending chronic homelessness in Cumberland County by 2020.
Rev. Dr. Robin Weinstein, the President of the M25 Initiative and facilitator of this collaboration, and John A. DiAngelo, the President and CEO of Inspira Health Network, also took part.
Oscar, one of the first three individuals who have moved into permanent supportive housing through this collaborative, participated in the event. When asked what it is like to go back to his own home at night Oscar responded stating, "It's beautiful. God is good."
Other members of the collaborative include: PRAC of NJ, Resources for Independent Living, CompleteCare, Cumberland County Jail, and Inspira.
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Albert B. Kelly, President and CEO of Gateway, addresses gathering at event announcing Inspira's donation.
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Gateway's GSTEP Program Providing Summer Employment And Training For Youth
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Gateway Community Action Partnership is currently operating a summer youth employment program for teens and young adults in the city of Bridgeton. The Gateway Summer Training and Employment Program (GSTEP) kicked off in late June. GSTEP took on the challenge of finding summer youth employment for young people in the Bridgeton area. As part of the program, Gateway hired 40 youth during the summer of 2017.
GSTEP began with teenagers attending a Summer Youth Job Fair, hosted by Gateway, which offered employment opportunities for youth 16 to 19 years of age. Youth who attended the event completed employment applications and were interviewed for interested positions. Those who passed the interview process were offered positions to work at Gateway throughout the summer.
These positions include opportunities in administration, weatherization, child care, outreach, social services, summer feeding and clerical.
As part of the program, the youth spent a week in June participating in the "Summer Youth Employment Boot Camp." During the boot camp, youth received training in college readiness and transitional challenges, career planning and skill development, financial literacy and leadership. Presenters from Cumberland County College, Newfield Bank, TD Bank and Appel Farm provided participants with various workshops aimed at preparing the youth to become responsible young adults.
There is interest in expanding this program. Gateway hopes to recruit other area businesses to commit to hiring youth during the summer months.
While the task of finding meaningful summer employment for at-risk youth is extremely important, developing the youth as leaders is a key aspect of the program. Through their daily activities and the guidance of adult team leaders, the youth are learning new skills, gaining confidence and becoming aware of the issues facing their community. The program encourages youth to learn about city government, become active members in the community by participating in city led projects and to develop and create programs to encourage other young people to become active members in their neighborhoods and community.
Albert B. Kelly, Gateway's President and CEO and the Mayor of Bridgeton, addressed the youth on the last day of the boot camp, stressing the importance of this initiative.
"I want you all to be successful this summer," Kelly said. "I want you to realize your potential. Don't let anyone put you in a box and tell you what you can't do. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, people who want the same things out of life as you. We (Gateway) are investing in you. We want you all to grow, to think, and to reinvest yourselves into this community. The sky is the limit".
Edward Bethea, Gateway's Executive Vice President and COO, also addressed the youth and discussed the differences between a job and a career, how to obtain a career, the importance of enthusiasm on the job, and the value of knowing as much as you can about a business before a job interview.
"A job can just be temporary," Bethea said. "A career is something you may want to do long-term the rest of your life. Someone once said that if you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life."
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Save The Date! Gateway's 30th Anniversary Gala Set For Nov. 9 At Camden Aquarium
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 Gateway is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2017 and we want you to share in our celebration! Gateway is holding its 30th Anniversary Gala at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden on Nov. 9. For sponsorship and ticket information, please contact Kyana Evans by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 856-497-6631.
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Summer In The City Youth Help Out In Head Start And Mill Creek Urban Farm
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| Youth from Summer in the City, a program of the Diocese of Camden, volunteered at Gateway Community Action Partnership. The youth helped out in Gateway's Head Start program and at the Mill Creek Urban Farm. |
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Students Star In Ventnor Head Start Step Up Day
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Children in the Ventnor Head Start program sing songs they learned throughout the year in the center's Step Up Day for 2017.
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Children Are Superheroes In 48 Blocks Art Celebration In Atlantic City
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Gateway Head Start Early Education Center in Atlantic City displayed a mural depicting children as superheroes at Atlantic City's "48 Blocks" art celebration in June.
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Horizon BC/BS Performs Outreach At Gateway's Food Pantry
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Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield visited Gateway's food pantry and provided individuals with free health screenings and offered advice on health insurance plans.
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A Warm Welcome To Gateway Community Action Partnership's Newest Employees
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Welcome To Gateway CAP's New Hires!
Ivelise Perez, Head Start
Dorothy Yeboah, Early Head Start
Deja Mosley, Cheryl Chadwick Early Learning Center
Jocelyn Romero-Ramirez, GSTEP Summer Employment
Shatia Barnes, GSTEP Summer Employment
Tyron Broughton,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Kayana Clue,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Ry'Shimah Coleman,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Brianna Ball,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Heidi Giesen,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Demond Gross Holland,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Talibah Islam,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Dayron Jenkins,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Nayeli Lopez-Perez,
WIC
Jaci Martinez,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Joshua Rozier,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Nicole Soto,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Amber Blizzard, Mill Creek Urban Farm
Zyair Gibbons,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Daffonie Moore, Salem Family Success Center
Julia Oria, Head Start
Lennin Castaneda, SE Gateway Planning Project
Kevin Roberson,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Zy'Niesha Walker,
GSTEP Summer Employment
Nasir Coriano,
GSTEP Summer Employment
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Crazy Hat Day And Table Tennis At Alzheimer's/Adult Day Care Program
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Support Gateway CAP By Shopping At AmazonSmile
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| You can support Gateway's mission "to provide services that improve the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency" while shopping at Amazon's "AmazonSmile" during this holiday season or any time of year. Please click on the link below the next time you shop. More information about the program follows the link. Thank you. Click Here To Donate To Gateway Through AmazonSmile!
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Gateway Community Action Partnership every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at
smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Gateway.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply click on the link above or go to
smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to
smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?
Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.
Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.
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A
round Gateway Community Action Partnership ... News and Notes
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Internet Essentials
, a program offered by Comcast, gives income-eligible families access to the Internet for $9.95 a month with no activation fee, equipment fees or price increases. Having the Internet enables children to do homework, type reports or do research and enables the parents to e-mail teachers as well as look for jobs, pay bills or find doctors.
Gateway Community Action Partnership is working with Comcast to inform families of the program. Internet Essentials is available to households that have children eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program or if they receive HUD housing assistance. They must reside in a Comcast service area and must not have subscribed to Comcast Internet in the last 90 days or have overdue Comcast bills. Also, low-cost computers are being offered for $149.99 and free training is accessible if needed. To get more information or to sign up, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376. ... Gateway operates the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) in Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic and Salem counties. The program provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, lactation support, immunization education and health care referrals to income-eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to age 5. Gateway WIC serves more than 23,000 clients annually through flexible hours through its eight (8) offices and a full-service, health screening mobile office. WIC is an equal opportunity program. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap, write immediately to: USDA, Director-Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 20250 - 9410. For additional information on the Gateway WIC program or nearest office location and hours of operation, call the Gateway WIC program at 856-451-5600 or 856-225-5050. ... Gateway's Head Start program is once again sponsoring the Child Care Food Program. This program is designed to provide meals to children receiving services in Head Start centers located throughout Atlantic, Cape May, Mercer, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Meals are available at no separate charge to all children 12 and under enrolled in the Child Care Food Program and are served without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex.
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Sincerely,
Michael Cudemo
Gateway Community Action Partnership
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