Congratulations to Gateway Community Action Partnership's President and CEO Albert Kelly on being the 2017 recipient of the Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham Hesed Humanitarian Award. Kelly was presented this award at a luncheon on Sept. 17 at Centerton Country Club. The Hesed Humanitarian Award is presented to individuals who exhibit the characteristics of "hesed", a Hebrew term meaning loving kindness, loyalty and mercy. Due to Kelly's "extensive commitment and involvement in the community", he was chosen as this year's Hesed Humanitarian Award honoree.

 

Among those in attendance were Kelly's family, friends, board members John Washington (board chair), Rev. Dr. Robin Weinstein and Ruby Love, Cumberland County Freeholders Joe Derella and Carol Musso, Sheriff Robert Austino, County Clerk Celeste Riley, Gateway staff including Executive Vice President and COO Edward Bethea.

 

"All the words that have been said here today on my behalf, the accolades, I know that I didn't get here by myself," Kelly said. "Each of you have played a part in my life. Each of you have encouraged me. Each of you have cheered me on when I down, gave me inspiration when I needed it, gave me a pat on the back. And sometimes even a kick in the behind when it was deserved. So I didn't get here by myself. I thank God for each and every one of you."

 

Among those giving testimonials were Bethea, Rev. Dr. Weinstein, Kelly's sister Ruth Hands, Rev. Dr. James Dunkins of Shiloh Baptist Church, Rabbi Bradley N. Bleefeld, and Warren DeShields, the director of food services in the Bridgeton Public Schools. Derella and Musso presented Kelly with a commendation from the county freeholders. Senator Robert Menendez sent a letter of congratulations that was read to the audience.

 

Bethea said: "Mr. Kelly took a chance on me 20 years ago, and together we have built quite an organization. I appreciate the fact that you believed in me. In turn we demonstrate every day how much we believe in you, your vision for the organization. Your vision for the great city of Bridgeton. We salute you and say congratulations and keep up the great work."

 

Hands gave an emotional, heart felt tribute to her brother.

"Did I ever tell you Albert that you are my hero?" Hands said. "You have shown me what it means to love community. And because of that, I have tried to emulate some of your works in serving the community. I could never compete. I could never excel. I think you have been a gift that no one in comparison could do, and I love you for that. You mean the world to me. Only a heart as dear as yours would give so unselfishly. Richly blessed is how I feel having a brother like you."

After arriving at Simpson Bay Resorts in St. Maarten on Saturday, September 2

^nd, my itinerary for the week was to visit two islands (Antigua and St. Bart) that are accessible via ferry from the town of Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island, go shopping in Philipsburg (known for its jewelry), and relax. On my arrival, I registered in, went grocery shopping (something I do when not staying at an all-inclusive), and signed up for my excursions.

     Sunday, September 3 ^rd, I received a call from the front desk that the excursion via ferry was being canceled due to an increase in turbulence in the ocean-so I spent that day on the beach.

     Monday, September 4 ^th, I enjoyed a four hour tour to Philipsburg sponsored by AMA Jewelers-window shopped, purchased some jewelry and souvenirs, and had a light meal at one of the outdoor cafés.

     Tuesday, the morning of September 5 ^th, the resort called all guests to the lobby to inform us that the weather prediction had confirmed that Hurricane Irma was headed our way and that St. Maarten was going to take a direct hit in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. That is when I met my adjoining room neighbors, Betsy and Wolfgang-they had a 1-bedroom unit, and I had an efficiency.

     At approximately 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 6 ^th, you could hear the cracking of the waves against the rocks below, and the howling of the wind. That is when I moved from the bedroom into the bathroom. It was so surreal. I honestly can't remember sitting in the bathroom for three hours. I just remember that I couldn't wait to stop hearing things breaking around me intermittently. When the building began to sway is when I began to get nervous. As I sat on top of the toilet seat clutching my backpack, I wrote my sister and mother's telephone numbers on a piece of paper and placed it in my backpack, just in case.

   Gateway Community Action Partnership's Bonnie Eggenburg, CCAP, Head Start vice president, has added another dimension to her talents as an author of a new children's book: Gateway Head Start Early Education Center: A School by the Sea.

  This colorful and educational gem is available for $20 (plus $6.65 shipping and handling) through check or money order payable to: Gateway Community Action Partnership and sent to 110 Cohansey St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 Attention: Olga Clark.

  Specify the number of books you would like and please provide a return address for shipping. Books are also available at the Gateway administrative office, 110 Cohansey St., Bridgeton.

  A link is available on the agency's website (www.gatewaycap.org) for additional information on the book and the author.

     Gateway Community Action Partnership's Literacy Services Department will conduct a Literacy Volunteers tutor training session in Bridgeton beginning October 23. Pre-registration is required. Trained tutors will work one-on-one with adult learners who need help reading, writing, or speaking English.

     The training course will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gateway Community Action Partnership, 110 Cohansey St., Bridgeton beginning October 23. Class dates are October 23, 25, and 30 and November 1 and 6.

     The training is free and open to the public, but tutor trainees must attend at least four of the five sessions to graduate and become certified to tutor. Tutors will be trained in ESL and basic literacy.

    Gateway has provided literacy services in Cumberland and Salem counties for the past 21 years and is accredited by Literacy New Jersey and ProLiteracy. Trained tutors generally meet one to two hours per week with learners.

   For additional information, or to sign up this or future training sessions, call Laura Stanton at 856-497-6645.

 

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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