Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Pray for Camden
In the community center where I work, the project assistant from one of the office's alerted me to the Fourth Annual City-wide Prayer Walk for Camden. It immediately caught my interest because I had never heard of this sort of religious activism. I was curious to know if it was like a parade? I told her I would go to observe and support the prayer (but not to represent AmeriCorps VISTA).
The city-wide prayer walk was organized by Antioch Baptist Church. The activity was held in conjunction with fasting that lasted from June 1 until June 21. There was even planning and preparation services nightly from 7 PM to 9 PM. It was a big event; out of approximately 182 churches, about 90 participated with 1,000 people that joined the walk. What a turnout!
The day of the walk, I arrived with a researcher studying for her PHd at Upenn. She is studying religious activism in the United States, however, she had not considered Camden which is across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. With a background in urban planning, she understood my experiences I related to her about the nonprofit I work for, the lauded Main Street program, and the challenges that Camden faces. However, she was shocked by the urban decay in Camden and had never seen a city in such a devastating state.
We came about ten minutes late, but I told a lady that Lorie had told me about the activity. I said the magic word to this church lady because she had us sign-up, gave us a map and instructions for the walk, and join a group in all about three minutes. I was with a group of about 9 people; a family with their son and the rest were women. We went to East Camden.
Now the walk was organized block-by-block. Our group made a circumference around 10 blocks on the walk. It was literally a walk. There was at least 3 or 4 other groups sharing the sidewalks with us. The leader of our group would see them and pray or sing louder or instruct us to blow the whistles hanging around our necks! There was many prayers and blessings for vacant homes and businesses, schools, and each corner of the block where passersby watched us. There was also a lot of tears and holding hands. My friend, the researcher, had a very different experience because she was with only one of the ladies who walked in the opposite direction.
When we discussed our particular experiences, we agreed that the walk was very organized. She and I also heard the same sentiments that asked for the Lord to help Camden. We thought, yes, the city does need help but it is up to the people of the city to make improvements. In addition, we noticed that there was a church on almost every block notably well-maintained in comparison to the surrounding neighborhood. Then we both had a conflicting purpose for participating in the walk because we were there not to pray but to only observe. Yet, we managed sensitivity to the churches cause and provided little explanation about our purpose. It seemed that we would deflate the excitement flowing from the members in our group.
The city-wide prayer walk was organized by Antioch Baptist Church. The activity was held in conjunction with fasting that lasted from June 1 until June 21. There was even planning and preparation services nightly from 7 PM to 9 PM. It was a big event; out of approximately 182 churches, about 90 participated with 1,000 people that joined the walk. What a turnout!
The day of the walk, I arrived with a researcher studying for her PHd at Upenn. She is studying religious activism in the United States, however, she had not considered Camden which is across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. With a background in urban planning, she understood my experiences I related to her about the nonprofit I work for, the lauded Main Street program, and the challenges that Camden faces. However, she was shocked by the urban decay in Camden and had never seen a city in such a devastating state.
We came about ten minutes late, but I told a lady that Lorie had told me about the activity. I said the magic word to this church lady because she had us sign-up, gave us a map and instructions for the walk, and join a group in all about three minutes. I was with a group of about 9 people; a family with their son and the rest were women. We went to East Camden.
Now the walk was organized block-by-block. Our group made a circumference around 10 blocks on the walk. It was literally a walk. There was at least 3 or 4 other groups sharing the sidewalks with us. The leader of our group would see them and pray or sing louder or instruct us to blow the whistles hanging around our necks! There was many prayers and blessings for vacant homes and businesses, schools, and each corner of the block where passersby watched us. There was also a lot of tears and holding hands. My friend, the researcher, had a very different experience because she was with only one of the ladies who walked in the opposite direction.
When we discussed our particular experiences, we agreed that the walk was very organized. She and I also heard the same sentiments that asked for the Lord to help Camden. We thought, yes, the city does need help but it is up to the people of the city to make improvements. In addition, we noticed that there was a church on almost every block notably well-maintained in comparison to the surrounding neighborhood. Then we both had a conflicting purpose for participating in the walk because we were there not to pray but to only observe. Yet, we managed sensitivity to the churches cause and provided little explanation about our purpose. It seemed that we would deflate the excitement flowing from the members in our group.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Volunteer Recruitment
A researcher from the Main Street program contacted me about using social networking sites for volunteer recruitment. It made me think about how effective these sites really are. I have used www.volunteermatch.com, www.facebook.com, www.myspace.com, and www.craigslist.com to post ads about Fairview Main Street. However, that's it...providing information mostly about the organization and capacity for involvement. We've had a total of 4 volunteers referred to us that did not follow through with a commitment despite our efforts. I tried a new idea this month, one that I've been pushing for since our "Breakfast with Santa & Tree Lighting" event in December to create volunteer job descriptions and a 30 minute volunteer program. With the Fairview Farmer's Market coming up, I was able to tailor a description of tasks and responsibilities for helping us. And I've had two responses already! So I think these websites can be effective if you can provide a clear job description, define the length of time for involvement, and the volunteer awards/satisfaction from his or her assistance. See below for my latest volunteer ad:
Volunteer Needed for the Fairview Farmer’s Market
Get involved to help make the Fairview Farmer’s Market a success this summer! We need volunteers of all levels of experiences and abilities. Volunteers will support getting local, fresh produce from New Jersey farmers to Camden City residents. Tasks include setting-up and breaking down tables for the farmers, providing assistance to seniors using vouchers, processing EBT transactions, assisting with promotional activities at the market, and supporting management staff. We know you are busy so we have positions that require only 30 minutes of your time or you can stay and work an entire shift that lasts 5 hours. The Fairview Farmer’s Market begins in July 2008 and runs every Wednesday morning. Please contact Nicole Yarbrough, the Community Development Coordinator, at 856-966-4003 for more information.
Volunteer Needed for the Fairview Farmer’s Market
Get involved to help make the Fairview Farmer’s Market a success this summer! We need volunteers of all levels of experiences and abilities. Volunteers will support getting local, fresh produce from New Jersey farmers to Camden City residents. Tasks include setting-up and breaking down tables for the farmers, providing assistance to seniors using vouchers, processing EBT transactions, assisting with promotional activities at the market, and supporting management staff. We know you are busy so we have positions that require only 30 minutes of your time or you can stay and work an entire shift that lasts 5 hours. The Fairview Farmer’s Market begins in July 2008 and runs every Wednesday morning. Please contact Nicole Yarbrough, the Community Development Coordinator, at 856-966-4003 for more information.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
A Better Commute and the DRPA
Commuting between Philadelphia and Camden requires you to pay each provider on a different fare system unless you pay cash (which is way more expensive). To take Septa, Patco, and NJ Transit transportation everyday to go between home and work is very expensive and inefficient. There needs to be better coordination and integration between the 3 service providers to give riders an inexpensive and less time consuming option for commuting back and forth.
But now the DRPA is increasing prices for the Septa transfer. The rationale was only because Septa recently increased their fares! Also, I didn't even know there was a transfer.
According to Camden County Freeholder and DRPA appointed Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Nash, he plans to make significant improvements to Patco. However, let's see an integrated system happen before raising prices! Instead, better coordinating of public transportation in the rest of Camden from the metro region will increase ridership and impact economic growth. Its Patco train does a good job of getting baseball and music fans to the revitalized riverfront easily from the suburbs. Yet, commuters like myself actually pay more than driving to take public transportation into Camden for work.
But now the DRPA is increasing prices for the Septa transfer. The rationale was only because Septa recently increased their fares! Also, I didn't even know there was a transfer.
Monday, June 16, 2008, the cost of a round-trip SEPTA transfer at New Jersey PATCO stations is going up 30 cents to $2.40. The special round-trip PATCO/SEPTA transfer was set to be 50 cents less than two SEPTA tokens and a 2007 SEPTA fare hike increased the price of tokens. The cost of a round-trip SEPTA transfer at New Jersey PATCO stations has been $2.10 since June of 2001. (from the Delaware River Port Authority press release)
According to Camden County Freeholder and DRPA appointed Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Nash, he plans to make significant improvements to Patco. However, let's see an integrated system happen before raising prices! Instead, better coordinating of public transportation in the rest of Camden from the metro region will increase ridership and impact economic growth. Its Patco train does a good job of getting baseball and music fans to the revitalized riverfront easily from the suburbs. Yet, commuters like myself actually pay more than driving to take public transportation into Camden for work.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Reflection on City Year, NCLB and Camden Public Schools
Under strict No Child Left Behind (NCLB) testing requirements, students are forced to spend months of classroom time studying for under-performing schools to achieve 'yearly adequate progress'. If the schools do not get good test results, then funding is cut and students can transfer between schools. However, schools make it very difficult for these transfers to happen leaving students no other options. According to Jonathan Kozol, "Less than a fifteen-minute bus ride often separates our wealthiest and poorest schooling systems." I've often heard people negatively comment about seeing 'students crossing the bridge' into the Camden suburbs that want to go to a better school.
In Camden, public high school dropout rates have been increasing since 2002. Statistics from NJ Department of Education, School Report Cards, show that in 9th grade, approximately 1,000 students are enrolled but then by 12th grade more than 50% are left. These staggering statistics suggest that kids are learning nothing. However, there are Camden schools that try to capture these kids early before they slide so far behind that they can't even read or write.
For instance, the Freedom Academy Charter school enrolls students into its program starting at the 5th grade. Then teaching focuses on helping students reach 5th grade level academic skills. Students go to school year-round from around 8 AM to 5 PM everyday. The school's mission is to help students get prepared for high school. Because by high school, most students from public schools are ill-prepared to enter with such poor academic abilities.
I think the No Child Left Behind is not helping urban public schools. It cannot address dropout rates nor fix poor academic achievement. Despite the Act, the lack of parent involvement and the degrading PTAs is a huge factor in contributing to worsening public schools. Many parents have pointed that out to me in and outside the classroom. Notable is that Camden City has a very high young population that is under the age of 18, highest among groups of age distribution. This large, uneducated population will have a significant difficulty achieving a good life in Camden or anywhere else.
So there are bigger existing problems that are affecting the public schools in Camden. Why are organizations like City Year or Teach For America absent from this city?
I would love to see the Camden Board of Education allow community groups like Fairview Main Street into the schools.
more to come...
In Camden, public high school dropout rates have been increasing since 2002. Statistics from NJ Department of Education, School Report Cards, show that in 9th grade, approximately 1,000 students are enrolled but then by 12th grade more than 50% are left. These staggering statistics suggest that kids are learning nothing. However, there are Camden schools that try to capture these kids early before they slide so far behind that they can't even read or write.
For instance, the Freedom Academy Charter school enrolls students into its program starting at the 5th grade. Then teaching focuses on helping students reach 5th grade level academic skills. Students go to school year-round from around 8 AM to 5 PM everyday. The school's mission is to help students get prepared for high school. Because by high school, most students from public schools are ill-prepared to enter with such poor academic abilities.
I think the No Child Left Behind is not helping urban public schools. It cannot address dropout rates nor fix poor academic achievement. Despite the Act, the lack of parent involvement and the degrading PTAs is a huge factor in contributing to worsening public schools. Many parents have pointed that out to me in and outside the classroom. Notable is that Camden City has a very high young population that is under the age of 18, highest among groups of age distribution. This large, uneducated population will have a significant difficulty achieving a good life in Camden or anywhere else.
So there are bigger existing problems that are affecting the public schools in Camden. Why are organizations like City Year or Teach For America absent from this city?
I would love to see the Camden Board of Education allow community groups like Fairview Main Street into the schools.
more to come...
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