Poverty. Crime. Violence. Trauma. Unfortunately, these are the harsh words frequently used to define the city of Camden, New Jersey. We believe it’s our job to look beyond these words and see that Camden is a community with the strength and resiliency to push past these challenges. Most importantly, we see the opportunity for change and commit to providing essential services to children, adults and families right in the heart of Camden. While we have had a presence in the city for over 50 years, in 2015 we expanded that footprint significantly.
At the start of this school year, Oaks began providing support to students in 7 different Camden schools through our School Based Youth Services Programs (SBYSP). Each week, the program enriches the lives of approximately 300-400 students through a multitude of health and social services on site during and after school. In a city where less than half of students graduate high school, SBYSP strives to help youth complete their education, obtain skills to lead to continuing education or employment and graduate healthy and drug free.
This past summer, we had the incredible opportunity to train nearly 300 members of the Camden County Police Department on how to help a person in psychiatric distress. Police often respond first to a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Training helps law enforcement learn to cope with these difficult situations and increase safety for everyone involved- officers, individuals in crisis and bystanders. In 2016, trainings will expand to give police dispatchers the knowledge and skills necessary to identify a caller in crisis and respond effectively.
Our Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program continues to increase outreach at transportation hubs, shelters, soup kitchens and drop in centers to individuals who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. PATH places individuals with a serious mental illness in appropriate housing and links them to formal mental health treatment.
Additionally, Children’s Mobile Response responded to nearly 600 families in Camden experiencing a crisis in 2015. CMR offers immediate in-home crisis stabilization services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The family focused approach helps defuse the immediate crisis, maintain a safe living environment, prevent inappropriate hospitalizations and link to follow-up services.
Our job is not done. The challenges may be daunting but they are not insurmountable. Moving forward, we plan to strengthen these programs and expand our reach to serve more children, adults and families in Camden. You can work hand and hand with us by donating, advocating and volunteering to make it a safer, healthier city for citizens to grow and thrive. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity as a community to see the potential and commit to true change in Camden.
Respectfully,
Bob Pekar
Chief Executive Officer
