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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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OceanFirst Foundation Award Will Assist Gateway
In Providing Meals For Children In Need
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From left: Ed Geletka, OceanFirst Bank and Gateway Board Member; Kathy Durante, OceanFirst Foundation; John Washington, Gateway Board Chairman; Ruby Love, Gateway Board member; Albert B. Kelly, President and CEO of Gateway and Mayor of Bridgeton; Tracy Jenkins, OceanFirst Bank.
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OceanFirst Foundation presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to Gateway Community Action Partnership on August 7 at the agency's River's Edge Community Campus in Bridgeton.
The OceanFirst Foundation Major Grants Initiative award will assist Gateway in renovating kitchen facilities at its Marino Conference Center in Bridgeton, to produce meals for summer feeding and early childhood education programs.
"The continued support of OceanFirst Foundation helps us continue to help children access the nutritious meals they require to grow and learn and lead productive lives," Albert B. Kelly, CCAP, President & CEO of Gateway and Mayor of the City of Bridgeton, said.
"Upgrades to our kitchen will help us produce more meals more efficiently and better serve those children most in need in our community," he added.
OceanFirst Foundation provided support for Gateway's Healthy Food Express Mobile Feeding Bus & Library with a grant in 2017. Foundation Executive Director Kathy Durante attended and presented the check to Kelly and to visit the kitchen.
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Gateway's Healthy Food Express Mobile Feeding Bus and Library funded by OceanFirst Foundation.
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Kathy Durante and Albert B. Kelly discuss plans for the kitchen.
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Gateway Staff Spotlight: Shannon "Shae' " Taylor
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Name: Shannon N. Taylor but I prefer Shae'
Position: USF/LI HEAP Tech
How long at Gateway: 6 years
Recent accomplishment: Educational Accomplishment, 4.0 GPA for Summer Session, Presidents' List for Spring Semester 2018 (3.925 GPA), 3.566 GPA for Fall 2017 Semester. Due to my academic achievements I was selected for four scholarships for the upcoming semesters: The James G. Atkinson Scholarship, The Chris Rizzo Scholarship, The Non-Traditional Student Book Scholarship and The Foundation for Continuing Student Scholarships. I was also informed that I was nominated to the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, The Beverly Sharp Memorial Scholarship as well as the Minority Initiative on Leadership and Excellence Scholarship, currently awaiting final decision.
What is most rewarding about your job: The "warm' feeling I get knowing that our program is making a difference in someone's life, whether it be providing them with heat during winter months or air conditioning during the summer months.
Tell us something about yourself: I was a teen mom. At age 18 I graduated from high school with my 3 children sitting in the audience cheering me on. Being a teen parent stopped me from continuing my education right after high school but is the very reason I've set out to continue my education now. I will graduate in 2019 which my associates. I will then transfer to Rutgers and will graduate in 2021 along with my 22 year old daughter (she's currently 19) Shay'Nell. We are both pursuing social work.
Hopes, Dreams, Ambitions: My hope is to go on and get my Masters Degree in Social Work. Although my dream is a bit "blurry' at the moment, I am sure in its clarity it will lead me to continue serving the less fortunate. Without a doubt, I am determined to excel academically and eager to act as a tool to members of my community/society.
What they are saying about Shae':
Gwen McLean, Director of Social Services: Shannon has been a great asset to the Gateway CAP Social Service family in Gloucester. She is a hard worker and is always ready to help our clients in any way she can. I am very proud of her accomplishments in her schooling, personal and family life. "Shae" as we call her has a bright personality and is great to work with. It's a pleasure to have her with the Gateway CAP Social Service family.
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Next Generation Of Community Leaders Making An Impact In The Community
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Bridgeton's Next Generation of Community Leaders program plays a huge role in our community. The objective of the program is to increase the number of youth being fed healthy meals throughout the summer, provide physical activities, increase community awareness about the importance of early health screening, and inform the community on how to access available resources.
The Next Gen youth work with
Gateway's Healthy Food Express Mobile Feeding Bus & Library
as it travels to various feeding sites in Bridgeton. The youth engage in many activities with the kids ranging from basketball, soccer, hula hoops, jump rope, and games with music.
We asked two Next Gen youth what they liked about working in the program. Mario said: "I like that we can help out the community, interacting with them during different activities and meeting new people." Stephanie said: "I like the kids and getting along with them. I like when they get excited to see me and give me hugs."
(This article was written by J'ohn Staples, a member of the Gateway Scholars program.)
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Gateway Scholars Program Provides A Positive Learning Experience
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(Editor's Note: We asked J'ohn Staples, one of the area youth selected for our Gateway Scholars Program, to write about his experience.)
By J'ohn Staples
Gateway Scholar
The Gateway Scholars Program is a program where students will learn what it takes to get a job and keep it. They also learn how to have integrity, which means being honest and having strong morals. Gateway Scholars will learn how to be accountable. They will also be taught the values on what it takes to keep the job and not just have it.
What Gateway Scholars means to me is that it shows me how a real business or organization operates and handles itself. It prepares Teenagers/Young Adults for the real world and what it means to mature.
I found out about the Gateway Scholars Program from my Social Media Marketing Teacher at Millville High School. I told her I wanted things to do for the summer so she started researching. We were having lunch together in the library and she came across the Gateway Scholars Program and she showed me the packet and printed it out.
You would be selected for the program on income based and even then there would only be 12 students allowed to be entered and I was one of the first. My duties as a Gateway Scholar is to set a path as a future leader, but my very own tasks I have to carry out is for the IT and Planning Departments.
For IT (aka Information Technology) I have to put the software needed for the workers to be able to use the computers that the agency orders. For example: Anti-Virus that we use is known as Sophos, Adobe Reader, Microsoft word, 7zip to open files, Google Chrome, and Firefox. We load these using a program called Ninite, where we can load all programs on it that we need and download Ninite and it auto installs everything we chose to be put on the PC.
For the Planning part I helped find data on opioids abuse in NJ, helped find funding for Adult Literacy, and learn on how to write grants. I also attended meetings on upcoming events like the Annual Gala and find sponsors for events.
What I learned from the Gateway Scholars Program? I learned how to hold a real job, I learned a few skills on grants and funding for nonprofit organizations, I picked up a few technology skills, and learned what the real world is all about.
Anything Surprise me on my experience? Well of course I was surprised! I didn't realize that I would be having so much fun working with people like Andre Jones (IT) and Mr. Damon (Also IT) and Mike Cudemo (VP of Planning), Ed Hilt, Kyana Evans and Gene Vernacchio in the Planning Department. I like the fact that I got to sit in a meeting with Mr. Edward Bethea, the Executive VP and COO about an important event. That was really cool and it taught me a few things about businesses and how they run public events.
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Spring Gardens Senior Housing Hosts Cultural Day
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The Puerto Rican Festival visited residents at Gateway's Spring Gardens Senior Housing for Cultural Day. It was a day of entertainment and community services for our seniors. Vendors from Hospice and Horizon and the Cumberland County Office on Aging provided information for our residents and Alzheimer's/Adult Day Care program.
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Gateway Gala Set For November 8 AT Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
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TD Bank Foundation And TD Bank Volunteers At Mill Creek Urban Farm
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TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank members spent the day volunteering at Gateway's Mill Creek Urban Farm planting tomatoes in the two new greenhouses funded by the foundation. The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, recently donated a total of $250,000 to Gateway Community Action Partnership for the two new greenhouses as part of the foundation's commitment to giving back to the community.
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Swedesboro Head Start Seeks Help In Purchasing "Chairback Buddy"
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Gateway's Swedesboro Head Start needs your help to purchase a Chairback Buddy for each student to hold their markers, pencils, glue and art papers as well as other classroom supplies. Please consider donating to Mrs. Fitzgerald's classroom.
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Congratulations To HS/EHS Staff On Receiving Family Development Credential
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Congratulations to the following Head Start/Early Head Start staff who have received their Family Development Credential: Barbara Chapman, Ewing; Carolyn D. Robinson, Hamilton I; Stephanie Beckett, Hamilton I; Lashana Deacon, EHS CCP Mercer; Sandra Matias, Germantown; Trisha Carter, Hamilton II; and, Marta Rodriguez, Little Cherubs.
"It is Gateway Head Start's goal that families are supported in their efforts to provide their children with the best opportunities for school success," said Bonnie Eggenburg, Gateway VP for Early Head Start/Head Start. "These Family Advocates have worked hard to earn their Family Development Credential, and we are proud to know that they are able to take the skills they had and their new knowledge to continue support families with their goals."
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Greater Bridgeton Family Success Center Hosts Play Streets Event
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Gateway's Greater Bridgeton Family Success Center hosted a Bridgeton Play Streets event on August 15. The event included fun activities, music, food, a watermelon eating contest and a backpack giveaway. Mayor and Gateway President and CEO Albert B. Kelly was present at the event. Bridgeton Play Streets is open to all ages and is free to all city residents.
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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!
Mario Rivera, Bridgeton Youth Leader
Diamond Haynes Moore, Atlantic Cape Early Learning Center
Quashaun Burrus, Gear Up Prep Afterschool Program
Tamarah Childers Palmer, Administration
Yadira Falcon Montero, Head Start
Leslie Coleman, Early Head Start
Brenda Torres Burgos, Head Start
Latoya Robinson, Early Head Start
Diana Gonzalez, Spring Gardens Senior Housing
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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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