The Delaware Gardens Neighborhood Initiative (DGNI) is a revitalization project for the Delaware Gardens neighborhood of Pennsauken, funded by the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation through 2019. The Initiative’s partners, who include UrbanPromise, Boat People SOS, and Pennsauken Township, recognize that the revitalization of this neighborhood will benefit all residents of Pennsauken and Camden, as well as the region.

The borders of the Delaware Gardens Neighborhood are from 36th St. to Browning Rd., River Rd. to Route 130 in Pennsauken; it also encompasses part of East Camden as well. Sections of the neighborhood border Camden, and its residents often face the same challenges as their counterparts in the city.

The initial phase of the project created a resident-driven plan to address youth and family services, abandoned and deteriorating housing, roads and sidewalks, as well as community safety and support for businesses along Westfield Ave. The plan also identified the need to engage residents to build a community identity across cultures.

“This diverse community needs to work together to improve the neighborhood they share,” says Betsy McBride, director of the Initiative and a member of Pennsauken Township Committee. “The DGNI team will facilitate meetings to bring residents together to discuss challenges and offer solutions.”

The first Delaware Gardens Neighborhood group meeting will introduce all aspects of the Initiative. It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 p.m. at UrbanPromise Ministries, 3700 Rudderow St., Pennsauken. Plenty of parking is available. All interested Pennsauken residents are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served. The goal of DGNI is not to tell residents what they need, but rather facilitate the process of the neighbors working together to find solutions to common problems.

Food Co-Op

A program that has already begun to address the needs of families in the area is called Saturdays at Spirit. A food co-op located at the Spirit Building, 27 N. 36th St., also offers free classes in home maintenance, bible study and prayer, a monthly community meal, book sharing, and computer instruction for beginners. Delaware Gardens residents are encouraged to visit the co-op on the Saturdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to get more information. Residents may also call Soley Berrios in the office at (856) 382-1878 to learn more.

Youth Council Meetings

An initial Youth Council meeting was held on April 15 to get young adults involved in improving the community. Twenty people attended and completed surveys to determine areas of interest and concern. The Youth Council is looking to expand its membership, and will plan and execute neighborhood events and service projects, address resident concerns, and hopefully influence policy issues affects the Delaware Gardens The next Youth Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spirit Building. Interested young people are asked to contact Ashley Taylor at (856) 382-1878 for more information.