March 12, 2010 | New Jersey Newsroom.Com
The proposal is expected to be part of the discussion Tuesday when Fuentes attends a public meeting hosted by the Camden Churches Organized for People Tuesday at St. Josephs Pro-Cathedral in Camden. He will be joined by Camden Mayor Dana Redd, Police Chief John Scott Thomson and City Council President Francisco Moran.
March 12, 2010 | Courier Post
"It's spoiling a neighborhood that we have worked hard to develop," McDermott said. "Neighbors are scared to death."
March 12, 2010 | New Jersey.COM
“It is too easy for individuals being charged with a crime, particularly crimes related to drugs and drug violence, to return to the same places and people that facilitate this behavior,” said Fuentes (D-Camden/Gloucester).
March 08, 2010 | Catholic Star Herald
A partnership among various groups in the city and businesses and residents along Kaighn Avenue met during a meeting held Jan. 25, sponsored by Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP), to explain to the public plans for the cleanup of the avenue.
March 08, 2010 | National Public Radio, NPR
After more than seven years, the state takeover of Camden, New Jersey has ended. State lawmakers directed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to New Jerseys poorest city. But the critics say little of that money found its way to the citys neighborhoods, as Joel Rose reports.
January 25, 2010 | Philadelphia Metro
“Where is the money to carry out her goals? Where is the commitment?” asked the Rev. Willie Anderson, a longtime leader with Camden Churches Organized for the People.
January 25, 2010 | Arkansas Matters
Things are a lilttle easier on the eyes in one Camden, New Jersey neighborhood after the winner of an "ugliest house" contest waz razed.
January 25, 2010 | Philadelphia Inquirer
In a statement, Rev. Heyward Wiggins pastor and CCOP clergy leader from Camden Bible Tabernacle in North Camden, said: "It is important for the city government of Camden to understand that a clean and aesthetically sound community contributes to the attractiveness of those wanting to be part of the life and breath of Camden."
January 25, 2010 | Courier Post
The Rev. Willie Anderson, co-chairman of Camden Churches Organized for People, said he wasn't opposed to home rule but didn't think city officials could handle that yet. "Electing a mayor, that hasn't changed anything to show that Camden has the capacity to rule itself in a responsible manner," Anderson said. "We didn't even have a very large voter turnout."
"We have to try to build a relationship with them, try to work with them and go from there," said Rosa Ramirez, a leader of CCOP.
"Why would you want to move to Camden?" Hudson asked. "Until you improve the infrastructure of Camden, you're not going to have people moving in, you're not going to have businesses moving in."
January 25, 2010 | Catholic Star Herald
“Just a year ago we were standing five blocks from here celebrating the demolition of two abandoned police sub-stations, which now houses a community garden,” said Father Jud Weiksnar, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and CCOP clergy leader. “We are confident that whatever goes up on the site of these houses will be just as much a symbol of hope for our neighborhood and city.”
January 25, 2010 | Washington Post
Congress and the Administration must now act with the faith that, when people's health care premiums and out-of-pocket expenses stabilize (and even go down) over the coming years due to health reform, that pushing through the fear in 2010 was the best thing they could have ever done.
Rosa Ramirez, a member of the state Economic Recovery Board, which oversaw the distribution of $175 million in recovery money, is also a leader of Camden Churches Organized for People, which has lobbied for improvements to the law. She said she did not know the amendment existed until asked by a reporter at Redd's swearing-in. "It says to me, 'Here we are again' - decisions are being made without discussion or input from the citizens of Camden," Ramirez said. "I get upset when they make these moves and don't discuss them with no one."
Jud Weiksnar, a pastor at St. Anthony's of Padua in Cramer Hill, had hoped to get an abandoned house next to his parish school property for $1 in exchange for promising the city to tear it down. City officials regularly made deals like that in the '90s.
December 03, 2009 | NJTODAY.NET
TRENTON – A new report analyzing real budgets of New Jersey families statewide demonstrates how much Garden State families can afford to spend on health care. The report was released by the NJ For Health Care Coalition Tuesday during a press conference at the Trenton Statehouse.
December 02, 2009 | News Blaze
"I don't want to have to bury any more parishioners who died before their time only because they could not afford to pay for health insurance," said Reverend Heyward Wiggins III
December 01, 2009 | Economist
ROSA RAMIREZ is an active member of Camden Churches Organised for People (CCOP), a large and powerful civic group in Camden, New Jersey.
November 08, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
They feel like "puppets," said member Rosa Ramirez, who lobbied for the state takeover through the civic group Camden Churches Organized for People.
November 08, 2009 | Courier Post
"I don't see how the state could just walk away." said the Rev. Willie Anderson, chairman of Camden Churches Organized for People, the nonpartisan group that hosted Christie's appearance. "The city can't support itself. If he cuts Camden off, Camden would fold."
The "Be My Vote" campaign was a great idea
October 26, 2009 | Real Estate Rama
“The Camden Home Improvement Program has had a tremendous impact on improving the quality of life of homeowners participating in the program,” said DCA Acting Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “I encourage other municipalities to use CHIP as a model for their own housing rehabilitation efforts because it has proven to be successful.”
October 26, 2009 | Catholic Star Herald
The meeting opened with prayer from Mary Hicks, parishioner of St. Bartholomew church and CCOP leader. Msgr. Robert McDermott, pastor of St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral in East Camden, shared with Christie an extended credential of CCOP reading the mission and vision statement created over two decades ago, and listing the many citywide and local victories CCOP’s organizing has achieved.
October 13, 2009 | Courier Post
Chris Christie said, "The failing schools must change or they must go extinct because we can't continue to fail your children," during the meeting sponsored by the nonpartisan Camden Churches Organized for People. About 100 people turned out for the session at Sword of the Spirit Church.
October 08, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
Pat Keating, Director of Public works applauded the efforts of Camden Churches Organized for People. "God bless them. I love that stuff," he said. "That's how you keep people engaged. You need these folks to do what they do."
September 29, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
One of the first questions asked was how the candidates would traverse the political systems that hold influence over local officials
September 29, 2009 | Courier Post
Mayoral candidates Angel Cordero, Roberto Feliz, Dana Redd and Mujiba Salaam Parker discussed leadership, neighborhood services, economic development and public safety as themes of the forum held by Camden Churches Organized for People.
September 16, 2009 | Courier Post
"Our elected officials are working because we put them there, and frankly we need to turn up the heat," Anderson said. "We have not lost hope, have we Camden?"
September 16, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
"We are not paying attention to the details that would give people tangible feelings of hope," said Governor Corzine following CCOP's questions
"We know there's been a lot of good downtown but there's been a lot of places in the city that need attention and are not getting it," said Monsignor Bob McDermott, pastor of St. Joseph's. "As far as we're concerned, life in the city has not changed. It's too easy to let somebody off the hook on that."
September 13, 2009 | Courier Post
Frustrated by the overwhelming problem, development groups and community stakeholders such as Camden Churches Organized for People, the Greater Camden Partnership, Cooper University Hospital, CAMConnect, Rutgers University and the District Council Collaborative Board began holding monthly meetings in April. They named their coalition SNAAP -- "Stabilizing Neighborhoods by Addressing Abandoned Properties."
September 12, 2009 | Catholic Star Herald
"Our neighborhoods are still struggling"
September 02, 2009 | Courier Post
Allowing criminals to feast on illegal immigrants, allowing landlords to break laws and ignore code violations because the tenants are fearful and silent, will only further degrade the entire city of Camden, as it would any community. Crime begets more crime when left unchecked. Ironically, that's how it came to be that there are so many illegal immigrants in this country
September 01, 2009 | APP.COM - Gannett New Jersey News
Thomson said his goal is to improve the quality of life for Camden residents, regardless of ethnicity or status. He noted that many of those who commit crimes against illegal immigrants are also illegal immigrants.
September 01, 2009 | Courier Post
"Tonight we hope to build the voice of a people for peace, human dignity and justice," she said.
Seeking to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the immigrant community, Camden Police Chief Scott Thomson and Camden Churches Organized for People will meet tonight to talk about crime prevention and victims' rights.
August 28, 2009 | Courier Post
Pat Keating, Director of Public Works, said he's expecting to get another $500,000 grant any day now. Once that happens, he said, it should only take a few weeks to begin making a dent in the demolition list.
August 28, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, who attended yesterday's event, said she was disgusted by the conditions she saw and hoped to have the house demolished before she leaves office after November's election."I am one mayor that's sick and tired of trash and abandoned houses," Faison said. "As soon as I leave here, I'm going to be on the phone."
August 25, 2009 | New Jersey Public Television (NJN) - Another View
“I wish I could give you a happy ending. I don’t have it. There isn’t enough out there to help people. It’s a crisis!” remarked attorney Rebecca Schore, Legal Services of New Jersey who was interviewed for this special.
August 20, 2009 | Courier Post
"We're still in shock," said the Rev. Willie Anderson, chairman of Camden Churches Organized for People.
August 18, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
The state-appointed overseer of Camden, Theodore Z. Davis, resigned yesterday, surprising city politicians and triggering questions about the future of the state takeover of Camden.
August 11, 2009 | Courier Post
After the prayer rally, CCOP leaders will deliver letters to their senators and representatives urging support for legislation to make health coverage affordable for all.
August 11, 2009 | Philadelphia Inquirer
"The grace of God is what we work under," she said. "But we also tap into every resource God has provided - including government."
August 07, 2009 | WHYY
The state takeover was necessary to rebound from a history of ineffective government.
August 03, 2009 | Courier Post
"The church is right that the city should tear down the buildings. Unfortunately, the cost has proven prohibitive, and the owners sometimes can't even be tracked down. Still, with all the problems these houses create, we'd like to see the city making their demolition a higher priority."
July 29, 2009 | KYW 1060 Philadelphia
July 29, 2009 | Daily Record.com
July 29, 2009 | CBS 3 Philadelphia
July 29, 2009 | NJN News
July 29, 2009 | ABC 6 Action News
July 29, 2009 | Courier Post
"It was just a tongue-in-cheek thing to try and get the city to start doing something with these abandoned homes," said Brother Jerry Hudson, of St. Anthony's.
July 29, 2009 | Philadelphia Daily News
July 07, 2009 | Courier Post
"We are hoping our children will be able to grow up and help our adults. It means making sure children's health-care programs have the resources they need . . . It means doing everything we can to reach out to every eligible child," said Wiggins, a member of Camden Churches Organized for People and the People Improving Communities through Organizing National Clergy Caucus.
July 05, 2009 | The Courier Post Op-ed
This month, as Congress releases preliminary versions of health care reform legislation, families around the country are watching anxiously hoping that reform actually translates into better, more affordable and accessible coverage.
Have you or someone you love ever been adversely affected by the healthcare system? We want to hear your story.
See how PICO changes lives, strengthens families and revitalizes communities across the country.
