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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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Gateway To Success A Celebration Of Achievement
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Albert B. Kelly, Gateway Community Action Partnership's President and CEO, said the agency must measure itself by how much value add to the lives of those we serve. Citing the book "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership," Kelly said Gateway must follow the law of addition when increasing the worth of our product.
"The only thing that matters in the law of addition is if we add value to someone's life," Kelly said. "Are we a positive force of good when someone is nervously waiting to see if they qualify for home energy assistance? Do we intentionally try to help an expectant mother in need of our services? Do we intentionally try to help someone who sees the new houses we are building in Bridgeton and is seeking a better life? The law of addition is about being intentional in what we are trying to do."
Kelly believes Gateway staff does just that in advancing our mission "to provide services that improve the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency." He thanked the staff for it during the agency's 2
nd Annual Gateway To Success Breakfast on Oct. 27 at Auletto's Caterers in Almonesson.
Evidence of Gateway's commitment to those who require the agency's services could be found in an inspirational video produced for the occasion, listing Gateway's core services and highlighting the agency's efforts in Head Start, WIC, Literacy, affordable housing and self-sufficiency through testimonials from clients.
Natalia Mendez, holding her baby Xavier, spoke about how WIC has helped her family. Hipolito Dominguez, from Mexico, thanked Gateway's literacy program in perfect English for helping him learn English. Now he knows how to communicate when going to the bank, the post office, shopping and mostly importantly, he said, at work.
Willie Hatch came to Gateway unemployed and seeking services to help him and his family. Vowing to turn his life around, Hatch became a CWEP worker. Through hard work and a commitment to the agency, Hatch impressed Gateway leadership and is now a full time employee in Social Services.
"Willie can really relate to clients who walk through our doors," said Edward Bethea, Gateway's Executive Vice President and COO. "When they come to us with the weight of the world on their shoulders, unsure how to make ends meet, Willie can talk with them with the perspective of someone who has been there."
The Rev. Dr. Robin Weinstein, the pastor at Bethany Grace Community Church and a Gateway board member, captured the spirit of Gateway with his inspiring remarks as the event's keynote speaker. Jack Tarditi, of Conner Strong Buckelew, and Angelo Alberto, of Alberto & Associates, served as co-chairs of the event and made the appeal for donations. John Washington, Gateway's Board Chairman, gave the invocation and Pastor Weinstein gave the benediction.
The event, which highlighted the agencies success stories and served as a fundraiser to support Gateway's mission, was attended by community members, elected officials and stakeholders.
Gateway thanks the sponsors of the event. Event Sponsors: Conner Strong & Buckelew, Alberto & Associates, All Risk Property Damage Experts, Marathon Engineering, SYSCO, Winchester Roofing, Long & Marmero, P. Agnes, AC Mechanical, D&S Tamburro Construction, USI Insurance Services, Local 322, Environmental Strategies & Applications, Sun National Bank, M&T Bank, Fulton Bank of NJ, CompleteCare, Calvi Electric, and Seabrook House. Community Sponsors: PCS, Ruby Love, Sun Life, Kaplan Early Learning Company, PNC Bank and Staples.
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Former Swedesboro Head Start Student Gives Back To Program By Reading To Center Children
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One of Swedesboro Head Start's former students, third grader Dyanna Sanchez, visited the center in early November and read a story to some of the students because she wanted to give back to a Head Start program that helped her so much. It is a tribute to Swedesboro Head Start and to all the people who work in Gateway's Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Below is a letter from Willetta Miller, a Head Teacher at Swedesboro Head Start, who wanted to share this uplifting experience with everyone at Gateway.
Good Afternoon,
I would like to share a wonderful story with you about a child named Dyanna Sanchez. I met her when she came to Head Start about five years ago. She is now a third grader doing amazing in school and excelling in all her subjects.
When Dyanna came to Head Start she spoke no English and was very shy. Over the course of the year she began to learn English and began to speak more and join in on the activities in the classroom and enjoyed learning. She loved being a part of the class.
Dyanna came in the classroom this morning with her mom and a bag of books and asked me if she could read to the class. She stayed about an hour and did such a wonderful job reading to the children and they all enjoyed it. It was such an amazing moment to see a child that was with us and went on to school and came back to us and still wanted to be a part of the classroom and give back to the school she was once a part of.
She even remembered the good morning song we sang and she sang with us at circle time. This morning helped inspire me to always remember that Head Start makes a difference in the lives of these children and it follows them on to new experiences in learning. They never forget the work we do with them while we have them.
Thank You,
Willetta Miller
Swedesboro Head Start
Head Teacher
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Giving Tuesday On November 29
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Click Here To Donate! |
Gateway Will Celebrate Dream Of Homeownership With Mill Creek Crossing Ribbon Cutting
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Gateway Community Action Partnership will celebrate the American Dream of Homeownership on Tuesday, November 29 with a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting on the first of 10 new single family homes on South Avenue and Eagle Street, in Bridgeton's Southeast Gateway Neighborhood.
The affordable, quality homes all include three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, living room, dining room, kitchen, appliances and central air, all with a starting price of $77,500.
First-time homebuyers must meet HUD income guidelines and must have a dependent. A family of two minimum income requirement is $31,620 annually and $42,150 maximum. Income guidelines change based on household size.
Requirements also includes attending home buyer classes, have a permanent income, qualify for a mortgage, have a credit score of at least 580 and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants must meet U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) guidelines and be approved by the NJ Housing Affordability Service (HAS).
The project is funded by the NJ Department of Community Affairs through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC), HUD HOMES, the City of Bridgeton and the Cumberland Empowerment Zone as well as Wells Fargo and TD Bank.
Rain date for the event is Thursday, December 1.
For an application or additional information on Mill Creek Crossings homes on South East Avenue, call 800-457-3188. For ribbon cutting event questions, call 856-497-6621.
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Salem Family Success Center Holds Job Fair At Salem Community College
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The Salem Family Success Center, in collaboration with Salem Community College, held a Back To Business Job Expo on Nov. 2 at the college in Penns Grove.
The event was free and open to the public and provided face-to-face opportunities for job seekers to network and learn more about careers in customer service, hospitality, sales, administration and community resources as well as employment with temp services agencies.
Among the businesses participating: One of a Kind Boutique, Bayada Home Health, Source for Teachers, AFLAC, J&J Staffing, Seabrook House, Protocol Group, Golden Nursing Home, Northland Group, Elwin Training School, Care Right There LLC, Five Below, Kelly Staffing, Integrity, Ranch Hope, Stand Up For Salem, Jumpstart, Home Instead Senior Care, Lila Rose, Inc., Hair Cuttery, US Army.
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Pleasantville Head Start Busy With Activities For Families
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Pleasantville Head Start's Trunk-Or-Treat event.
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Pleasantville Head Start holds Fire Prevention event.
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Penns Grove Head Start II Center Activities
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Staff and students wear purple for ADHD Awareness.
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| Everyone dressed up as their favorite animal or character. |
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Germantown-Lehigh Early Head Start Holds Fire Prevention Meeting With Parents
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Gateway Partnership With Salem County Vocational High School Continues To Prosper
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The staff and administration of Salem County Vocational Technical High School hosted its semiannual Salem Votech Advisory Board Dinner and Meeting. Amber Seehousz, Site Director of Gateway CAP Penns Grove Head Start, Early Head Start Center and Tambria Swift, Education Manager, Gateway Early Head Start have been Salem Votech Advisory Board Members for the Child Care Program since 2014.
The superintendent and principal gave current information on program goals, high school graduation rates, accolades to students, staff, parents and Advisory Board members. A decision was made during the dinner conversation with the principal to provide bus transportation monthly to support students getting to and from Penns Grove Head Start.
After the gourmet dinner each program with staff and Advisory Board members went to the classrooms to continue discussions on how to further continuous improvement. The Salem Votech Child Care program through Grow New Jersey Kids received scholarships and grants to purchase Creative Curriculum materials this year.
As the Salem Votech staff and Advisory Board Members were touring the classroom, they recommitted to hosting seniors to observe and continue to obtain hands on experiences in child development with Penns Grove EHS children. The partnership continues to prosper.
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Holly City Family Success Center Holds Father Appreciation Luncheon
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The Holly City Family Success Center held a Father Appreciation Luncheon. Eight fathers attended with their families. Included were good food, raffle prizes, door prizes and mini workshops designed to strengthen families.
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Hammonton, Landisville Head Start Wear Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness
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Atlantic City Fire Department Visits Mayor James Usry Head Start Center
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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!
Shabria Ellenwood, Early Head Start
Elizabeth Bonner, Head Start
Norma Machado, Head Start
Tanisha Gayle, Early Head Start
Kelly Luers, Early Head Start
Christina Watson, Head Start
Jazmin Pita, Early Head Start-CCP
Kim Hames, Head Start
Margaret Scott, Head Start
Katia Osbourne, Early Head Start-CCP
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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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Students from the Mayor James Usry Head Start Center visited a pumpkin patch.
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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. 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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Gateway Halloween Contest and Celebration. Do you recognize Batman? (Mr. Albert B. Kelly, Gateway President and CEO).
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Sincerely,
Michael Cudemo
Gateway Community Action Partnership
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