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Fellowship House

South Camden, New Jersey

January 6th-13th 2013

"Camden, NJ once stood next to Philadelphia as a thriving center of industry and commerce, with companies such as RCA Victor, Campbell's Soup, and the New York Shipbuilding Corporation providing tens of thousands of local jobs.  In the 60s and 70s, changing economic situations and a decline of industry plunged Camden into urban decay.  Today, the city continues to suffer from industrial, residential, and even political abandonment, and is still labeled as one of America's poorest cities.  Many residents still live in deep-rooted poverty, with few options and little hope for recovery.  Soup kitchens, homeless shelters, tent cities, abandoned buildings, and decaying city utilities are shadowed by a small handful of "restoration projects", such as Cooper Hospital, the Riversharks minor-league baseball stadium, and the Camden Aquarium.

Because of its unique situation and multiple levels of poverty, Camden has become a hotbed of volunteer activity.  A steady stream of high-school, collegiate, and full-time volunteers come to Camden and work to meet the needs of residents which are consistently neglected.  In a city often perceived as "hopeless", the work of volunteers sets an example of true ministry, care, and respect for those stricken with poverty.  In Camden, volunteers are called to love and serve even those whom no-one else wants to serve.

I spent two years volunteering and working on Camden, NJ.  As a music teacher and director of music and youth ministry at a parish, I worked especially with the children and teens of Camden.  Some of my students had never been to Philadelphia, just a 20-minute walk or 3-minute drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge.  Other older teens were not even aware of career opportunities that matched their interests.  The youth represent all citizens of Camden: they are filled with hope, promise, and potential.  They need people, such as volunteers, to believe in them, help them discover their dreams, and give them the tools to achieve those dreams."

-Chris Calderone, Staff Person for the 2013 Camden Trip

Fellowship House

Fellowship House of South Camden, New Jersey is a place for spiritual, moral, educational, physical, social and recreational activities, and as a center for helping to meet the many needs of the immediate community. Fellowship House offers a variety of different services and ministries to the people of South Camden, including:

• Children's Program- The Children's Program provides an after-school program for over fifty children in one of the most poverty stricken areas of Camden.  Fellowship House is passionate for the children of South Camden and seeks to provide quality and effective programs that will enable each child to have a hope and future.
• Youth Program- The Youth Program provides a positive and safe place for teens to work during the critical hours of 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM. It provides important job training, an alternative to the temptations and dangers of the streets, and a place to grow in God.
• Addiction Services- Fellowship House Addiction Services is a service for substance abuse users who are seeking a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ as the key to becoming free from drugs and alcohol.
• Community Outreach- Fellowship House is continually exploring ways to touch the physical, spiritual and other needs of the community, meeting these needs through the Food Ministry, Clothing Ministry, Women's Ministry, Community Garden, Sunday Worship and Computer Training Program.

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What to Expect:  

• Cost: All ABE trips cost $325.  The Camden trip has the added cost of flights.
• Travel: The group will fly from Minneapolis to the Philadelphia International Airport. The Fellowship House will rovide transportation to and from the airport and around the city when needed.
• Lodging:  The group will stay across the street from the Fellowship House. (1722 South Broadway Camden, New Jersey 08104)
• Food: The group will be using the SNAP system to buy food and then will have access to the kitchen facilities in the Fellowship House as well as where they are staying to prepare meals and eat as a group.
• Work: The group will have the opportunity to work with the Fellowship House with their after-school program and possibly get involved with community outreach including; a food ministry, women's ministry, clothing ministry, and computer training.  
• Extra Fun!: Get to know the wonderful community of South Camden and learn the history of the area.
• Focus: community, children, social justice, and human rights.

Interested in applying to co-lead or be a participant on the Camden Trip?  Apply here to co-lead or here to participate!

Please note: $100 due with acceptance of a position!

Any questions about this trip can be directed to Alternative Break Experiences at abe@csbsju.edu