Help Keep Student Leaders Going!
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The Student Leaders' mission is to empower middle-school aged students to become leaders through the principles of community organizing, which allows the students to improve their neighborhoods in Camden, NJ and learn to use their power for the Common Good. The Student Leaders engage in community organizing to improve their local park, Von Nieda Park - once listed as the nation's "most depressing park"- which for years had been a site of illegal activity as well as a general blight on the landscape of Camden. However, through different initiatives led by the students themselves, the park is now a beautiful place for all in Camden to enjoy. One of the group's most recent accomplishements was their advocacy for getting several large light-towers installed in the park to prevent drug dealers from using the park at night for illegal actvities. The Leaders went to local law enforcement as well as city and state officials to not only make them aware of the problems plaguing the park but also to make sure that something was done about them.
The Student Leaders Von Nieda Park Task Force was founded in 2012 by Fr. William "Jud" Weiksnar, a Franciscan friar who was the pastor at St.Anthony of Padua Parish in Camden, NJ for several years. For those of you not aware, Camden suffers from exteme poverty and is frequently ranked one of the most violent cities in the country. Now that Fr. Jud has left, Ms. Mirta Nieves, a Camden resident, has taken over complete control of the group, with help from an intern from Rutgers University as well as two volunteer mentors serving with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, a year-long, faith-based service program that is partnered with St. Anthony's in Camden.
As much progress has been made, there is always more to be done, and unfortunately, St.Anthony of Padua as a parish is struggling financially. Without proper funding, wonferful parish-supported programs such as the Student Leaders will cease to exist. We are asking you for any help that you can provide to keep this great group going. Without it, these students will lose their opportunity to have a voice in their community and the skills necessary to make a difference in the world. We are counting on generours donors such as you to prevent this from happening.
The Student Leaders Von Nieda Park Task Force was founded in 2012 by Fr. William "Jud" Weiksnar, a Franciscan friar who was the pastor at St.Anthony of Padua Parish in Camden, NJ for several years. For those of you not aware, Camden suffers from exteme poverty and is frequently ranked one of the most violent cities in the country. Now that Fr. Jud has left, Ms. Mirta Nieves, a Camden resident, has taken over complete control of the group, with help from an intern from Rutgers University as well as two volunteer mentors serving with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, a year-long, faith-based service program that is partnered with St. Anthony's in Camden.
As much progress has been made, there is always more to be done, and unfortunately, St.Anthony of Padua as a parish is struggling financially. Without proper funding, wonferful parish-supported programs such as the Student Leaders will cease to exist. We are asking you for any help that you can provide to keep this great group going. Without it, these students will lose their opportunity to have a voice in their community and the skills necessary to make a difference in the world. We are counting on generours donors such as you to prevent this from happening.
Organizer
Andrew Staiti
Organizer
Camden, NJ
