UrbanPromise and Pennsauken Township officials announce receipt of a five-year, $710,000 grant to revitalize Pennsauken neighborhood bordering Camden.

The project is called the Delaware Gardens Neighborhood Initiative (DGNI) and targets the Pennsauken neighborhood whose boundaries are 36^th Street to Browning Road; River Road to Route 130.

The five year initiative has several components: employ young adults, increase public safety, improve residential and business areas, make infrastructure improvements, and build community identity in the culturally diverse neighborhood.  Funds will be used for staff, trainers, and supplies necessary to implement program elements. Along with UrbanPromise and the Township of Pennsauken, partners include Boat People SOS and the Camden County Office of Sustainability.

“Partnering with UrbanPromise and the residents of the Delaware Gardens neighborhood is very exciting for us.” Said Kim Allen, Senior Program Officer of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation. “We believe the neighborhood is poised for growth and new energy as a result of this initiative.”

“We are thrilled by Wells Fargo’s investment in Delaware Gardens.  Our 600 surveys in the neighborhood informed us that residents are most concerned with providing opportunities for teens.  The Initiative gives us the opportunity to help forge this effort and its primary goal and thereby impact the future of this important border area of Camden and Pennsauken,” said UrbanPromise Executive Director, Jodina Hicks.

“It’s vitally important that we continue to invest in our neighborhoods and make sure they maintain their vibrancy and special quality of life,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Ed McDonnell. “Camden County is a proud partner in this initiative and we are looking forward to our role in the project.”

Pennsauken Mayor Jack Killion said, “This neighborhood of Pennsauken has seen many changes over the last 10 years. That being said, Delaware Gardens has many great assets that can be improved and highlighted. Work in this area over the next five years will be transformative and will benefit all of Pennsauken. We are excited by the opportunity to partner on this Initiative.”

Established in 1988, UrbanPromise’s mission is to equip Camden’s children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership through after-school programs, summer camps, two schools, experiential learning, job training, and other programs that challenge youth to realize their potential. WFRF chose UrbanPromise as the lead partner in this project because of their successful history.

Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, established in 1998, is a private grant-making body with the primary mission to improve the lives of children and families by supporting the revitalization of neighborhoods in New Jersey, Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $76 million in grants to more than 242 nonprofit organizations. For additional information on the Foundation, please visit www.wellsfargo.com/about/regional-foundation.