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BRIDGETON, NJ (August 29, 2024) – U.S. Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, representative for New Jersey's Second Congressional District, joined Inspira Health at Gateway Community Action Partnership’s “Follow Me and Lead Summer Camp” closing ceremony to witness one of the no-cost summer camps that were funded through a $1 million federal grant that was secured by the Congressman in the Fiscal Year 2023 government spending bill. Inspira Health also highlighted the effort to increase and improve access to year-round support services for youth living in our most violence-impacted communities that was included in the federal grant to decrease youth violence and protect our kids and families in Cumberland County.
Inspira recently received a $1M federal grant award through the Office of Justice Programs – Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention OJJDP – Byrne Discretionary Grant Program, which resulted in the creation of the Cumberland County NJ Youth Violence Cessation Initiative. The ten-week “Follow Me and Lead Summer Camp” program is an initiative that was directly funded via Inspira’s grant funds. Through a partnership with Gateway Community Action Partnership, Inspira was able to support camp programming for more than 200 kids between the ages of 7 and 17 years old through the 2024 summer season. The grant enabled camp organizers this year to more than double the number of campers attending and guidance counselors and staffers brought on for the duration of the program.
“Inspira Health is a pillar of the South Jersey community, and is always looking to care and support its residents,” said Congressman Van Drew. “It’s an honor to witness firsthand the impact this grant is making for these kids. I am proud to support Inspira’s efforts in reducing youth violence, and will continue to advocate alongside Inspira Health and their respective partners.”
To date, the $1 million federal grant Inspira received has increased the availability and access to essential violence prevention, intervention, and response programs in high-violence neighborhoods; increased engagement of local youth with targeted services; and reduced youth violence across the community. In addition to the Gateway Community Action Partnership, Inspira is proud to have partnered with other key organizations to achieve these results, including the United Advocacy Group, and Life Worth Living.
“At Inspira Health, we strive to create healthier communities – both inside our campuses and outside in our local neighborhoods – and part of that includes addressing violence that impacts our youth,” said Amy B. Mansue, President and CEO of Inspira Health. “We are proud to help foster a safer, healthier environment for Cumberland County youth by partnering with various organizations such as Gateway Community Action Partnership to reduce violence and bring enriching activities to our community. This partnership would not be possible without Congressman Van Drew, and we are so grateful for his continued support in helping us bring these opportunities to our community.”
Today, the closing ceremony for the Follow Me and Lead summer camp, hosted by Gateway Wellness Center in Cumberland County, featured remarks from Congressman Van Drew and Amy B. Mansue, President and CEO of Inspira Health. Celebrating its campers with completion certificates and fun giveaways, the camp has been teaching youth the 8 dimensions of wellness for the past four years. This year, with a subaward through Inspira and Congressional Earmark funds, Gateway was able to expand its programming to service youth, hire additional staff, extend camp days to five days a week with longer hours, and provide transportation and weekly field trips. The 10-week camp included field trips, wellness activities, hands-on group projects, and more, helping youth enhance leadership skills, build positive coping mechanisms, and develop healthy relationships and decision-making skills.
"The success of the Gateway Community Action Partnership's 10-week Follow Me and Lead Summer Camp at Bridgeton's Alms Center is a shining example of what can be achieved when our community comes together,” said Gateway Community Action Partnership President and CEO and Bridgeton Mayor, Albert B. Kelly. “We are deeply grateful to Inspira Health for their invaluable partnership, which helped make this camp an enriching experience for all involved. Together, we provided a safe, nurturing environment where our young people could learn, grow, and develop the leadership skills that will serve them well in the future. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to the well-being and development of our youth."
