|
|
|
| Agency Mission and CAP Promise |
|
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.
|
| Contact Information |
|
Rivers Edge Campus
(Headquarters)
110 Cohansey Street
Bridgeton, NJ
08302
(856) 451-6330
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
Gateway, Partners Break Ground On River Grove
|
Gateway Community Action Partnership, in collaboration with the Eastern Pacific Development and the Cumberland Empowerment Zone, moved another step closer to providing residents with safe, affordable, highly appealing housing in the Southeast Gateway Neighborhood in Bridgeton with a groundbreaking of the River Grove Family Apartments in July.
The 68-unit River Grove will give residents a high-quality living experience with amenities that include a range, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, gas heat and central air conditioning. The project will include a River Grove Community Center. Planned are 29 duplex and two single units.
Remarks by distinguished guests were made in the new River Grove Community Center before the ceremonial groundbreaking.
"
This is a momentous occasion for our city, Gateway, and most importantly, for the citizens of our community,"
said Albert B. Kelly, CCAP, Gateway's President and CEO and the Mayor of Bridgeton. "
These are beautiful homes. With the completion of these 68 housing units, we are changing the quality of life for many families in this city. Success begins with stable, affordable housing and that is why we are here today."
Senator Stephen Sweeney, the New Jersey Senate President, said he is impressed with the transformation of the City of Bridgeton, and credited Mayor Kelly and his team for turning things around.
"With this leadership, you are seeing Bridgeton coming back in a very strong way," Senator Sweeney said. "But it didn't happen overnight. You are really seeing Bridgeton moving forward. There are many positives here. I want to congratulate Mayor Kelly and Gateway and your whole team. You are making a difference. You are providing high quality housing for people to live in. A better quality of life makes all the difference in the world."
Edward Bethea, Gateway's Executive Vice President and COO, said the plan is to have residents occupying the housing in about a year. Bethea noted the challenges that had to be overcome to bring the development to a reality, and was grateful for the perseverance by the key players in the project. Bethea recognized partners Hans Lampart, of Eastern Pacific Development, and Jeannine MacDonald, of the Cumberland Empowerment Zone, for their extraordinary efforts in making River Grove Family Apartments possible.
"We are very excited that everything is in place and this is actually going to happen," said Bethea, who is also the chair of the Cumberland Empowerment Zone.
Among those in attendance: John Washington, Gateway's Board Chairman; Ruby Love, Gateway's Board-Vice Chair; Board members Joe L. Kidd and Lisa Folks; New Jersey Assemblyman John Burzichelli; Cumberland County Freeholders Joseph Derella (Director), Darlene Barber (Deputy Director); Carol Musso; Bridgeton City Council members Curtis Edwards (President), Edward Bethea, Rosemary DeQuinzio and Sam Feinstein; Jerry Velazquez, President and CEO of Cumberland County Improvement Authority; and, Michael Thulen, USDA State Director.
|
|
|
|
Ivy Square Will Improve Quality Of Life, Promote Self-Sufficiency For Residents
|
Going from Bridgeton Villas to Ivy Square Apartments represents more than a name change. It is a life transforming change.
With Gateway Community Action Partnership as a partner, WinnDevelopment (WinnCompanies) took a tired, old, deteriorating housing development - Bridgeton Villas - and turned it into Ivy Square Apartments, a bright, sparkling, appealing housing community complete with a community center and a playground.
Ivy Square, in Bridgeton, was ceremonially opened in late July with a ribbon cutting that included attendance from Albert B. Kelly, Gateway's President and CEO and Mayor of Bridgeton; NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney; and Edward Bethea, Gateway's Executive VP and COO.
Two years after a groundbreaking, through a $13.3 million renovation project, there are 156 units at Ivy Square with new HVAC systems, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, new roofs, new facades, exterior paint and entryways, improved landscaping, repairs to parking lots and sidewalks, and a security camera network. The community center includes a fitness room and a community kitchen.
Included in the partnership with WinnDevelopment, Gateway will provide supportive services for residents. Gateway's Weatherization Program also played a role in terms of energy efficiency.
"Promises WinnDevelopment made two years ago at a groundbreaking have come true," Kelly said. "They actually went beyond what they promised to make this community what you see today. Last Thanksgiving, they invited me to help give gifts and turkeys to the residents. That tells me that WinnDevelopment prioritizes people over profit. Like any business, they are in business to make money. But more importantly, they are in business to change lives and I am so thankful for what they have done here at Ivy Square. It is something to be proud of. This is a crowning achievement."
Senator Sweeney said: "This is the gold standard for affordable housing in New Jersey. The new housing opportunities address the real-life needs of working families in Bridgeton and will improve the quality of life for countless individuals in the years to come. I am deeply encouraged by the partnership between WinnCompanies and Gateway Community Action Partnership, and hope to see many more of these types of projects and partnerships around our state in the future."
Bethea said: "Gateway has a long history of partnering on developments that improve the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency. Ivy Square Apartments helps us achieve both goals. We assisted by making the units energy efficient and we will work with the tenants to create steps toward self-sufficiency and homeownership."
|
Gateway's 32nd Anniversary Gala At Harrah's Resort Atlantic City On November 7
|
|
|
|
Tickets/Sponsorships are now available to purchase on our website. Please click on the link below for more information. Special thanks to all of our sponsors who have joined us early! Gateway thanks you for your continued support.
|
|
Next Generation Of Leaders Making A Positive Impact In Community
|
|
|
| Smiling and Serving! NextGen youth leaders from Gateway preparing to distribute bags of veggies they have just filled for PlayStreets. Thank you team! |
|
Renovations Of Gateway WIC's Camden Location Almost Complete
|
|
|
|
Renovations of Gateway Community Action Partnership's WIC location in Camden are almost complete and the project team is putting the finishing touches on the building. The site is nearing completion and Gateway is making plans for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Look for additional updates on ribbon cutting dates and times.
|
|
LIHEAP/USF Application Period Ends On August 30
|
If you have not applied for or received a LIHEAP/USF 2019 benefit, you still have time. The application period will end on August 30.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.
To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Persons who live in public housing and/or receive rental assistance are not eligible unless they pay for their own heating costs directly to the fuel supplier. The amount of the LIHEAP heating benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and heating region. The medically necessary cooling assistance benefit amount will be $200, which will be issued as a direct credit to an active electric account in our system, otherwise they will be issued as one party check to the eligible applicant.
An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity may have its benefits directly forwarded to its utility company. Otherwise, in most cases eligible households directly responsible to a fuel supplier for payment of home heating costs receive a two-party check in the name of the applicant and "the fuel supplier". Households whose heating costs are included in their rent receive a single party check made out to the eligible applicant.
Please note the FFY 2019 LIHEAP application is also an application for the Universal Service Fund Program (USF). You apply for two benefit programs at the same time. USF is a program created by the State of New Jersey to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. If you are eligible, USF can lower the amount you pay for gas and electricity. To be eligible, a household gross income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level, (please refer to income guidelines listed below), and pay more than 3% of its annual income for electric, or more than 3% for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 6% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.
|
Gloucester CCYC Holds Informative Workshop At Monthly Parent Meeting
|
|
|
|
Gateway's Gloucester County Council for Young Children-CCYC held its monthly parent meeting in Woodbury. Guest speaker Dr. Ingrid E. Campbell from Rutgers Southern Regional CCRR spoke as part of a three-series workshop titled, Breaking the Cycle: Self Advocacy. Thank you to all the parents who were in attendance!
|
|
Gateway WIC Celebrates World Breastfeeding Month In August
|
|
|
|
Some of our amazing breastfeeding moms from our Camden and Bridgeton Women, Infants and Children (WIC) locations celebrating World Breastfeeding Month which takes place in the month of August.
|
|
A Warm Welcome To Gateway Community Action Partnership's Newest Employees
|
Welcome To Gateway CAP's New Hires!
Lisette Rosas, Gateway Scholars
Sakia Wynder, Early Head Start
Angelica Alicea, Early Head Start
Damir Rogers, Gateway Scholars
TyKerron Morrison, Gateway Scholars
Da'Shon Bundy, Gateway Scholars
|
|
Support Gateway CAP By Shopping At AmazonSmile
|
| 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.
|
|
A
round Gateway Community Action Partnership ... News and Notes
|
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. To be eligible, low-income applicants need to show they are participating in one or more of a dozen different federal assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI. 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.
___________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Michael Cudemo
Gateway Community Action Partnership
|
|
| |
|
