Civic Engagement Programs
Rutgers University–Camden offers programs for the greater community through the Office of Civic Engagement and through partners across campus in a variety of areas, including education, economic development, and law and public policy.
Education
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Hundreds of children and teens from across southern New Jersey nurture their appreciation of the arts through a variety of innovative education programs developed by the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts. These innovative arts education programs are offered in the schools, at Rutgers, or through distance learning. They build skills and abilities within various arts disciplines; foster self-awareness of individual artistic assets; augment knowledge of the arts in historical and cultural context; and much more. The RCCA also conducts projects that integrate arts into the Camden City neighborhoods.
Contact: Noreen Scott Garrity at ngarrity@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6306.
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As part of a university-wide initiative, the Rutgers Future Scholars work with students from the Camden School District starting in the summer before they enter the eighth grade. The children become part of a unique pre-college culture of university programming, events, support, and mentoring that continues through their high school years. Students who successfully complete the pre-college initiative and are admitted to Rutgers will receive a scholarship covering the cost of their tuition for four years funded through a range of grants and donations.
Contact: Brian Phillips at brian.phillips@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-2330.
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Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students to work with preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Jumpstart Corps members have the unique opportunity to inspire young children to learn, serve in the Camden community, work on a team, and build professional skills. All Corps members receive professional-caliber training to help them implement Jumpstart’s outcome-based program, promote children’s school success, and build family involvement.
Contact: Daysi Morales daysim@camden.rutgers.edu or 856) 225-6906.
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Serving 840 Camden children in grades pre-K through 12, LEAP works with Rutgers–Camden to make a profound impact on the children of our host city. Rutgers provides a host of critical services for this charter school, including security, grant administration, and information technology infrastructure.
Contact: Wanda Garcia at wandag@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6903.
Economic Development
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The Office of Economic Development seeks to develop opportunities to engage new audiences in the growth of our host city, and to increase Rutgers–Camden’s services to the State of New Jersey and the City of Camden.
Contact: Greg Gamble at gambleg@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6388.
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As part of a statewide network, this Rutgers–Camden center helps new and potential small business owners to grow enterprises in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties through free and low-cost programs.
Contact: Bob Palumbo at rfp21@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6221.
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Executive Education provides various educational opportunities to the businesses and individuals of Camden and the surrounding area. Focusing on management education Rutgers IMED provides online workforce development in association with New Jersey One-Stop Career center to provide training to the unemployed.
Contact: (856) 225-6685.
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Offered through the Rutgers Law School, this project provides free assistance for low-income residents seeking help in filing New Jersey and federal tax returns.
Contact: Prof. Pam Mertsock-Wolfe at pmertsoc@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6406.
Law and Public Policy
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Connecting Rutgers throughout southern New Jersey, the Rand Institute engages Rutgers–Camden faculty and students with public administrators, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to address the real-world challenges that shape the lives of state citizens. The Rand Institute offers high-quality policy research; timely technical assistance; and neutral convening of stakeholders and citizens.
Contact: Dr. Gwendolyn Harris at glharris@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6566.
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An initiative of the Rutgers Law School, this holistic lawyering program uses multiple strategies and interdisciplinary approaches to resolve problems for Camden youth facing juvenile delinquency charges. Rutgers law students primarily provide legal representation in juvenile court hearings.
Contact: Prof. Sandra Simkins at ssimkins@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6425.
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This Rutgers–Camden legal clinic represents children in child abuse and neglect cases in Family Court in Camden, and represent children in administrative hearings and proceedings regarding public benefits, education, immigration, medical and mental health issues.
Contact: Prof. Meredith Schalick at schalick@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-2321.
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A range of legal support services for Camden residents is offered through this Rutgers Law School program.
Contact: Tracy Overton, Esq. at overton@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6525.
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The Domestic Violence Clinic provides legal advice and representation to people seeking domestic violence restraining orders in Camden County and occasionally in Burlington and Gloucester counties.
Contact: Prof. Victoria Chase at vlchase@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-2773.
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In this program, Rutgers–Camden law students partner with practicing bankruptcy attorneys to prepare filings in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, giving clients a fresh start.
Contact: Prof. Pam Mertsock-Wolfe at pmertsoc@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6406.
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Through this project, Rutgers law students visit Camden high schools and other sites to teach children and teens about credit, debt, and budgeting.
Contact: Prof. Jill Friedman at jillfrie@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6263.
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Trained Rutgers law students help to facilitate dispute resolutions.
Contact: Prof. Pam Mertsock-Wolfe at pmertsoc@camden.rutgers.edu or (856) 225-6406.
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Rutgers collaborates closely with the city’s law enforcement agencies, including the Camden Police Department, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to promote interagency cooperation.