Service Trips in Camden, NJ

Posted by on August 29, 2011

When you think of places where students spend their semester breaks, what comes to mind?  Cancun, Daytona Beach, San Juan?  What about Camden, New Jersey?

While the media tells us about the droves of young people who head off to party on the world’s beaches each year during semester breaks, what we do not hear about are the large number of college students who prefer to go to inner cities to participate in programs that allow them to experience the difference they are capable of making in life.

In the heart of one of the poorest most environmentally challenged cities in the world, we at The Center for Environmental Transformation built our beautiful facility.  We did this to allow people to experience the true reality of the assault that has taken place on our environment over many generations.  But, we also did it because we are committed to showing that transformation to our environment is possible when people experience how small changes in lifestyle by each individual can begin to heal our Earth.

The Director of Campus Ministry at Neumann University has given her permission for us to use the following paragraph about their recent experience. They have already booked their next retreat.

Neumann University students and staff spent a full week at the Center for Environmental Transformation, Camden, New Jersey, in early March 2011.  We deeply appreciated the hospitality and the openness of the CFET staff.  Our time there was an eye opening experience for the students with a reflective educational component that was transformative.  The Center is a physically beautiful space and all of our needs were met, including any safety concerns.  The reflections provided by the staff were top notch.  What became clear to all of us after one week is that Camden is so much more than what is typically portrayed by the media.  Melissa Hickey, Director of Campus Ministry, Neumann University, Aston, PA.

We look forward to hearing from you and discussing with you how we may be of service.

Sincerely,

Mark Doorley, President
The Center for Environmental Transformation

For more information and to contact Mark, visit http://www.camdencenterfortransformation.org

Heard from Neumann University (outside Philadelphia) students, commenting on what the week had meant for them

–    Everyone we met here tells a story – now we have our story to tell.
–    This experience showed me I belong.
–    There is something magical about this town.  I think being in this town was what helped us all come together as a group – from people who did not know each other.
–    This was not the Camden I see on the news.  Being here has changed my perspective of Camden – Don’t know thought it if will change my mother’s perspective but I will speak differently about Camden now?
–    Had a great time here.  Lots of fun.  I didn’t see all the crime I expected to from seeing the news.  I saw great people.
–    We wanted the closeness that we saw in the people around here – we didn’t feel we had that prior to this, at Neumann.
–    I was narrow minded concerning food and farms – now I can support good agriculture.
–    I was nervous arriving – experienced so much hope and faith.
–    Became a cohesive group – from not knowing many people.
–    Our work schedule taught us to work together as a cooperative group.
–    Maybe I could change others’ perspectives because my perception of Camden changed.  People were all friendly to me and I didn’t expect that given the reputation one gets from the media.
–    We have a ministry center at our school; we are going to each have mugs – no Styrofoam anymore.  We learned that from Cheryl.  Also we are going to look into how well we are doing recycling at Neumann.
–    This was the most important week of my life!

Heard from Loyola-Blakefield High School (Baltimore, MD) students, reflecting on their time in Camden

–    Before, I thought no one cared – but then we saw people coming out helping and thanking us.  People do really care about their city.
–    Hopefully we changed the park and people will start using it.
–    Everyone was friendly, not depressed, had positive attitudes.
–    I’ll remember the faces.
–    There are no business opportunities for people, no work.
–    Camden didn’t choose this situation for itself.
–    This week was inspiring, motivating, challenging.
–    The Benjamin Franklin bridge changed things from good to bad, in that it split Camden in two: we can turn that move on its head:  one small thing can turn bad to good, even a little bit
–    We hung out with these kids who are bright and energetic, but they don’t have the same opportunities that we have, so we ought to be appreciative of what we have.
–    Learning goes both ways.  All of us who have more, and are privileged, and have wild ambitions.  At the same time the people around here have simpler ambitions.  One of the things I can take away is to live simple, not asking for what I want, but for what I need.
–    From the garden that we built, there will be more vegetables in the hands of people; they will be able to eat more healthy food; we were a part of this.
–    We should be grateful for what we have, stay positive, and spread it around, to make things better.
–    I learned to appreciate what I have because many people don’t have the things and opportunities that I have.