Welcome to the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force page!

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force consists of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from St. Anthony of Padua School in Camden, New Jersey.  They use principles of community organizing to help make our local park, Von Nieda Park, a safer and more enjoyable place for all to enjoy.  The students meet weekly to prepare for meetings with Camden County and City parks officials, government officials, and other interested community members that take place once a month.

For more information about our Task Force, call Fr. Jud at 856-963-5884 or e-mail us at SLVNPTF ( @gmail.com ) 

Recent News

Thursday, May 16, 2013 -- The Student Leaders won a NJ Youth Jefferson Award for the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Community Organizing.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 -- The Student Leaders were selected for a Mayor's Youth Council award for youth service.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Our Student Leaders' article appears in NETWORK Connection magazine, and one of the students is featured on the front cover.

Thursday, May 2, 2013 -- Our Student Leaders greeted the guests, and gave a Powerpoint presentation, at the 18th annual CCOP Spring Fundraiser, at Camden County Boathouse in Cooper River Park.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 -- Our Student Leaders were invited by Mayor Redd, and attended the swearing-in of Camden Metro Police Chief John Thomson

Saturday, April 27, 2013 -- Student Leaders and Ms. Klingler participated in a successful Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park

Monday, April 22, 2013 -- On Earth Day, our Student Leaders were recognized at City Hall as Camden SMART Environmental Heroes.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - At the Cramer Hill CCOP Action on Abandoned Housing, Councilman Luis Lopez announced that Camden County will be spending $60,000 to improve the lighting in Von Nieda Park, thanks to the requests of our Student Leaders.

Friday, April 12, 2013 - The County Parks Department told us they will put recycling bins in Von Nieda Park, and will also plant flowers in the park this spring.

Saturday, March 23, 2013 - Our students leaders visited South Camden to speak with some young(er) listeners interested in their work in Von Nieda Park.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013  - Our two captaqins gave a report on the park at the Cramer Hill LOC (Local Organizing Committe) meeting.

Friday, Feb. 9, 2013 - Five of our Student Leaders gave a presentation at Sacred Heart Peace Community's Gathering for Peace and Justice, and conversed with Sr. Simone Campbell of NETWORK and "Nuns on the Bus" fame.

Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 - Four of our Student Leaders attended the Student Service Showcase, sponsored by Students in Action, at Rowan University.  They gave a 5-minute presentation on the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force, and then teamed with students from Washington Township to win a competition to design a proposal to better our world, coming ahead of nine high school teams.

Monday, January 21, 2013 - Our students led the Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing for approximately 65 students and other guests.  It's the only event in the country that remembers Martin Luther King through community organizing rather than community service.

Saturday, January 19, 2013.  Two of our Student Leaders presented at the CCOP meeting in Camden on their work in Von Nieda Park.

Friday, December 14, 2012.  The pedestrian crossing signs the Student Leaders have been asking for were put on River Road.

Thursday, November 15, 2012.  The Task Force spoke at the Camden County Freeholders' Town Hall meeting at City Hall about the lighting and policing in Von Nieda Park.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012.  The Task Force gave a presentation to the Paul VI High School senior class on their day of reflection. 

Friday, August 31, 2012.  The Task Force received a citation from Assemblyman Angel Fuentes and the 5th Legislative District of New Jersy for their accomplishments in Von Nieda Park.

Thursday, August 23, 2012.  The Task Force gave a well received presentation at the Mayor's Youth Council meeting in City Hall. Not bad, to get three rounds of applause during a 7-minute presentation.

Friday, July 13, 2012.  The Task Force visited Washington, D.C. to give their powerpoint presentation, "Community Organizing: You're Never Too Young," at the Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  They also got a tour of the U.S. Capitol, and got to meet with staff at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

June 21, 2012 - Our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force was recognized by the Camden County Board of Freeholders for their achievements in Von Nieda Park.


Freeholder Jeffrey Nash addresses the students.

June 11, 2012  Our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force was one of just five groups nationwide to receive a Youth Service Challenge award for environmental work, through the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. In just five months, our students have been recognized at the city, county, state and national levels for their efforts.  Good work, students! 

Upcoming Events

May 22, 2013 -- Camden Clean Day in Von Nieda Park with Mayor Dana Redd.

June 21, 2013 -- Von Nieda Park Community Meeting in the Cramer Hill Community Center, Von Nieda Park.  10 a.m. - 11 a.m.  Contact Fr. Jud at St. Anthony's if you have an agenda item, 856-963-5884.

June 22, 2013 -- Cleanup Day with New Jersey American Water

July ?, 2013 -- Possible Cleanup Day with Crowley Maritime Corporation

History

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force started as a Civic Engagement class during the 2011 summer session of St. Anthony of Padua School.  Ms. Kate Goodman of CCOP (Camden Churches Organized for People) and Mr. Josh Dupuis, a former Franciscan Volunteer and current faculty member at St. Anthony's.  

Mr. Dupuis teaching Civic Engagement.

In December, 2011, some members of the Civic Engagement class were invited to the organizing committee for the 3rd annual Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing, held yearly at St. Anthony's.  At that MLK Day of Community Organizing on January 16, the students decided to keep meeting on a regular basis to make changes in our community through the use of community organizing principles.

Through weekly meetings with Fr. Jud, and visits from Mrs. Tk Rodgers of CCOP and Mrs. Lori Chaffers of the Catholic Partnership Schools, the students have learned about community organizing themes such as Change, Power, Vision, Attitude, Analysis, Community, Responsibility, Common Good, Research, and Faith.  Our students represent different faith traditions, and we begin and end our classes with prayer.

One of the key points our students emphasize in their public presentations, and especially on Martin Luther King Day, is the difference between community service and community organizing.  While they see the value of community service, and do community service themselves, they see community organizing as a more powerful vehicle for long-lasting change.  They have forged strong relationships with the city and county leaders responsible for the maintenance, repair, and improvement of the park.  Through monthly research meetings, our students present their needs to the officials, who in turn inform the students of their concerns and expectations.

The students have diligently prepared agendas for the monthly meetings with city and county parks officials.  Their efforts have resulted in changes in the park such as: shorter pickup time for illegally dumped trash and construction debris; repairing and painting of benches; new baseketball nets; new swings; removal of graffiti from the community center walls and signs; removal of stumps and other hazardous objects; and the installation of two community notice boards.  See below for "before and after" pictures.

At the 2013 Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing, the students conducted research interviews with city and county officials, and got a commitment from Freeholder Louis Cappelli Jr. to improve the lighting and increase the policing in Von Nieda Park, major accomplishments.

The biggest change the students have noted is in themselves.  They now have confidence to meet with public officials and chair meetings; belief that public officials will listen to young people; hope for a better Camden; and faith in a future they cannot yet see. 

Having a cooperative principal and teachers, an active community organizing group like CCOP, approachable city and county officials, concerned city and county workers, and a genuinely nice bunch of kids are all ingredients in what's made this work.  Without them, the transformation you see in the pictures below would not be possible.

Before and After

Before
After

Before

After

Before

After

Photos, Videos and Links

A hazard in the outfield in Von Nieda Park.

Graffiti on the notice board in Von Nieda Park.

Notice board in Von Nieda Park vandalized again, May 16.

Congratulations to our Student Leaders, for their article (and pictures) in NETWORK Connection magazine.

A future leader, who's also a current leader, at the Local Organizing Committee.

Members of the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force ready to give their presentation at CCOP's annual spring fundraiser at Cooper River Boathouse.

One of our very professional Student Leader greeters.

"I'm in that picture!"

Our other very professional Student Leader greeter.

We had them at the first slide!
"It's almost as pretty as Von Nieda Park!"

Standing by a river...

Basking in the glow of another well received SLVNPTF presentation.

The St. Anthony's contingent at the CCOP annual spring fundraiser.

Jerri's new friends.

It was a great night for the Student Leaders.

Student Leaders ready, just in case Univision starts filming.

Who's got the real power in the room?

Chief Thomson shares a few words with Mayor Redd and Governor Christie.

Our Student Leaders with newly sworn-in Metro Police Chief John Scott Thomson.

Freeholder Cappelli gave our Student Leaders some Von Nieda Park updates at the swearing-in of Metro Police Chief Thomson.

Mayor Redd had requested that our Student Leaders attend the swearing-in of Metro Police Chief Thomson.  (As one student said, "This made me want to go into politics.")

The trash cans look very nice in Von Nieda Park. Now if the people would just use them...

Lupe likes the flowers in Von Nieda Park.

Lupe approves of the newly decorated trash cans in Von Nieda Park, too.

 Thanks to Ms. Klingler, and so many of our Student Leaders, for turning out for Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park.

Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park.

Impatiens are a virtue, on Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park.


The bench used to be full of graffiti too.

The "before" picture on Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park.

The "after" picture on Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park.

The greening of Von Nieda Park on Comcast Cares Day.

Painting the handball wall on Comcast Cares Day in Von Nieda Park.

The Spring 2013 Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force


Whitney of CCOP helping our Student Leaders get their presentation ready for next week.

Rayna Johnson of Crowley Trucking meets our Student Leaders.  She went to CCD at St. Anthony's!

Someone paintballed our sign.  (But within 24 hours it was cleaned up. Thanks, County Parks Department!)

Fr. Jud and student leaders at the Camden SMART Environmental Heroes awards.

Mayor Dana Redd awarding an Environmental Heroes award to St. Anthony's.

Informing the crowd that after 11 months of asking the county, it will now provide recycling barrels for Von Nieda Park.

Our Student Leaders were recognized for their environmental work in Von Nieda Park, Alex for her work with Friends of Francis, Kristen for Br. Jerry's Garden, and Fr. Jud for finding the right people to do great environmental work!

St. Anthony's Environmental Heroes with Mayor Dana Redd.

Girl/Woman Power--Our Environmental Heroes, with Meishka Mitchell of Cooper's Ferry.

Someone took a chunk out of this bench in Von Nieda Park.

Why do people destroy what we try to build up?

"We can't stand what they've done to our benches!"

Lots of trash in the park near the ball fields by Hayes Avenue.

What an entrance to Von Nieda Park!

Our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force wants to do something about this entrance to the park, near New Jersey American Water.

Lots of debris in the part of the park near New Jersey American Water.

Branches and debris in the part of the park near Arthur Avenue.

After making the rounds to inspect the park, a little fun.


After our fun, we noticed that the Von Nieda Park swing set is missing some bolts!

Calling the head of the Parks Department, to let him know about those missing bolts.

"Nonviolence begins with me!"

Councilman Luis Lopez speaks of the progress in Cramer Hill, and announces that thanks to the requests of our Student Leaders, Camden County will be spending $60,000 to improve the lighting in Von Nieda Park.

Wouldn't this warehouse by Von Nieda Park look great with murals from our students on it, instead of graffiti? Even though our students did not get the grant they applied for, which would have paid for an artist to help them paint several murals in and around the park, they're not giving up!

Community stakeholders at the Von Nieda Park community meeting chaired by the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

Great conversation at the Von Nieda Park community meeting chaired by the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.  After we have been asking for them since May 18, the county will put recycling bins in Von Nieda Park.  Also, they will plant flowers in the park this spring.

As of April 11, this litter has been in Von Nieda Park for months.  We will discuss it at our April 12 meeting.


Jeff showing our Student Leaders his plans to improve our Von Nieda Park notice boards as his Eagle Scout project.

Our students leaders visited South Camden to speak with some young(er) listeners interested in their work in Von Nieda Park.

Dr. Jackie Agostini and AnaMaria Vergara presenting three of our Student Leaders with Peace t-shirts. They had given a presentation at Sacred Heart last month on their work with the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

Our two Captains attended this meeting of the Cramer Hill LOC (Local Organizing Committee).

Our Student Leaders have worked hard to get these Pedestrian Crossing signs, to protect all our students.

Please, drivers, respect our new Pedestrian Crossing sign!

The pole on the right has been tilting since Oct. 3, 2012, when it was hit by a truck. Five months later, it's still there. PSE&G was transferring some of the wires over on March 2, 2013, but said the other companies (cable, telephone) take their time unless the pole is actually falling into the street. The Von Nieda task forces will look into this.

Another successful, and large, meeting of the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force which brought together many community stakeholders.

Our Student Leaders hope to have a Von Nieda Park cleanup day with New Jersey American Water in March; but until then, we keep asking them to keep the area in front of their property tidy.

Thanks to the Cramer Hill CDC for the new sign. Hopefully drivers will stop using them for target practice. 

No it's not snow, it's litter. We're counting on the city and county to clean up Von Nieda park before the Student Leaders' next cleanup day which will be in March.

Looks like someone wants to smoke in Von Nieda Park.  (This sign was fixed within a few days. Thank you!)

For an oldie-but-goodie video from 2007, showing at least one of our Student Leaders back in 2nd grade, click here.  The video shows the Camden Children's Garden "Grow Lab" which is just one reason why we want to keep the Children's Garden alive and well in Camden.
For a link to Claudia Vargas' "Camden Flow" blog on thePhiladelphia Inquirer website that mentions our Student Leaders. click here.

Waiting for Sr. Simone Campbell's keynote at Sacred Heart Peace Community's Gathering for Peace and Justice. 

A cold day to give a presentation on community organizing!

Our students sharing during their presentation on the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

It's all about peace and justice.

The "nun on the bus" meets the "students on the van."

Some post-lunch sharing at the Gathering for Peace and Justice.

Sr. Simone's presentation on lobbying.

Ms. Klingler and our Student Leaders at the Student Service Showcase, sponsored by Student in Action at Rowan University.

Giving a presentation on the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force. 

Our Student Leaders were resource people for small group discussions.

Table discussions at the Students in Action workshop at Rowan University.

We might come to Rowan just for the food! 

Our Student Leaders designing the "Pop" (Power of Positivity) project.

"Pop" was the winner of the "design a project" competition. Congratulations to our Student Leaders, and their friends from Washington Township. 

Congratulations to our Students Leaders and their friends from Washington Township for their wining proposal in the "design a project" competition.



The Students in Action workshop at Rowan University.

Within 24 hours of reporting this trash in Von Nieda Park, it was cleaned up.  (Also, the mattresses that had been in the woods for weeks were removed.)

One of our two notice boards in Von Nieda Park is functional again. Thanks to the county for the new glass.
 We're seeking New Jersey American Water's cooperation in keeping the fence around their property bordering Von Nieda Park clean.


Signing in at the 4th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing.

This must be the place!

Kristen addressing the 75 people in attendance at the only day dedicated to community organizing on Martin Luther King Day in the country.

Pastor Amarylis leading the opening interfaith prayer.

M & M icebreaker.

The youth group of Camden's Faith Tabernacle Church doing a skit about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Praise Dance by the Youth Drama Team of Camden's Faith Tabernacle Church.
Click on the picture below for a brief mention of our Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing in the Catholic Star Herald.


Never too young!
To see an online article about our Student Leaders, including that photo above, click here.

Yes, it's the only Day of Community Organizing in the entire country on Martin Luther King Day.

Explaining to our guests the basics of community organizing.

Showing how to prepare for a phone call to city or county officials.

"Hello, this is the Chief of Police..."

Kristen introducing the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

Tour of Von Nieda Park. We're asking the owner or realtor of the warehouse to remove the graffiti.

We're asking the city to clean the trash out of the woods in Von Nieda Park. (The mattresses were removed on Feb. 1, 2013.)

We're asking New Jersey American Water to keep the area around their fence clean.

Thanks to our friends from St. Joseph's University for all their help!

Thanks to all who donated food for our lunch and snacks.

Student Leaders, and future leaders, preparing the questions for the afternoon research meeting.

Mr. Shahid Rana of Cooper's Ferry, Camden School Board Member Mr. Sean Brown, Camden County Freeholder Mr. Louis Cappelli, Jr., and Camden School Board Member Mr. Ray Lamboy all participated in the afternoon research meetings with our students.

Students conducting a research meeting with Mr. Sean Brown.

Students conducting a research meeting with Freeholder Louis Cappelli, Jr.


Students conducting a research meeting with Mr. Ray Lamboy.

Students conducting a research meeting with Mr. Shahid Rana.

Students conducting a research meeting with Freeholder Louis Cappelli, Jr.  Mr. Cappelli committed to better lighting and more policing in Von Nieda Park.

Wrapping things up at the end of a great day.

Closing prayer, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A great CCOP (Camden Churches Organized for People) meeting.

Lauryn and Kristen congratulating our Student Leaders (center) on their fine presentations at the CCOP meeting. 

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Pizza Task Force

Thanks to the City of Camden for removing the graffiti from the sign in front of our school.

Br. Juan found the missing Pedestrian Crossing sign, that had been damaged, several blocks down the street, Now it is repaired and back up on River Road in front of the school!

Our Student Leaders brought this graffiti, right by our school, to the attention of the city, and they will take care of it soon.

Drivers on River Road will have no trouble seeing this pedestrian crossing sign on River Road.  Thanks, Manny.

Student Leaders celebrating their accomplishments.
Click on the photofor a Philadelphia Inquirer article about our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

Student leaders planning the Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing.

Our second notice board has now been vandalized.

They're doing an archaeological survey before they start the infrastructure work on Von Nieda Park in the spring.


Someone once again vandalized our Von Nieda Park notice board, destroying our student leaders' display.

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force after their monthly meeting.

Yea! Our Student Leaders' requests resulted in the county painting the final group of benches in Von Nieda Park.

The mums our Student Leaders planted on Saturday survived Hurricane Sandy!

Making a difference on Make a Difference Day in Camden.

Mum's the word on Make a Difference Day.

Digging it on Make a Difference Day.

Scaaaary front yard on Make a Difference Day.

We made a difference on Make a Difference Day.

Riccardo's making a difference on Make a Difference Day.

Hoagies! on Make a Difference Day.

They made a difference on Make a Difference Day.

Thanks to the Student Leaders for their help in getting PSE&G to repair this utility pole in Von Nieda Park.

Student Leaders don't mind getting a little wet.

Student Leaders composing an e-mail.

|Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force going through the checklist.

Mr. Shahid Rana of Coopers Ferry explaining to our Student Leaders how the infrastructure in Von Nieda Park will be repaired or replaced.

Student Leaders giving Kathleen Udasco of New Jersey American Water some background on their work in Von Nieda Park.

Maurie Smith of Coopers Ferry chats with our Student Leaders after their monthly meeting.

Fr. Jud speaking with the Student Leaders in Von Nieda Park.

Our studnet leaders being interviewed by the Courier Post in Von Nieda Park.

"Who took all the notices out of the Notice Board?" (Turns out it was the county, who repaired the Plexiglas.)

Student Leaders do some last minute preparation on the way to their presentation.

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force at the Paul VI High School Senior Day at Holy Family Parish.



Enjoying lunch at Holy Family.

Martin Luther King Day reunion.

A nice turnout for our Von Nieda ParkCleanup Day, co-sponsored by the Students Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force and Bikes-R-Us.  In all, 20 people showed up. Not bad for Labor Day weekend.

Picking up the trash, and the recyclables. Von Nieda Park has never looked better.
 Green is in!

Thanks to Bikes-R-Us for collaborating with us, and painting that ugly bench!

Thanks to our helpers from the Catholic Medical Students Association (and a future med student?).

All it needs is some words on it.

Someon's just going along for the ride!

Help!  We're trapped inside a Von Nieda Park Service Day!

Hope is back, in Von Nieda Park!

Take a look at these cans. The hand speaks. The hand of a Student Leader. 

Thanks, Milagros, for feeding us.Congratulations to the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force, for being recognized by Assemblyman Angel Fuentes and the 5th Legislative District for their work in Von Nieda Park.

For Labor Day weekend, it wasn't a bad turnout for our Von Nieda Park community meeting.

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force preparing for their monthly Von Nieda Park community meeting.

We didn't win the $500 prize, but our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force got a nice t-shirt from GenerationOn. 

Thanks to the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force, and Camden County, we have pedestrian crossing signs on River Road by Von Nieda Park.

Don't you dare not stop for pedestrians!

Some day, one of us will be mayor here!

Our student leaders, ready to present at the Mayor's Youth Council meeting in City Hall.  They got three rounds of applause during a 7-minute presentation.

Student Leaders updating the notice board in Von Nieda Park.

Our student leaders following up on the phone with county officials.
For a story about our student leaders on the White House website, click here.

Problem in Von Nieda Park, August 8: someone dumped trash near Cleveland Avenue.
Problem in Von Nieda Park, August 8: someone broke one of the swings.  (It was reparied shortly afterwards.)

Problem in Von Nieda Park, August 8: someone stole half of the geraniums.

Our student leaders showing a guest how the flowers are flourishing in Von Nieda Park.

The county will be coming to inspect the plexiglas on our notice board, which is popping out of the frame. 


St. Anthony's arrives at the Community Forum on Public Safety in Camden.

The Community Forum on Public Safety in Camden.



Some of our student leaders ready to present at the Community Forum on Public Safety.

After the Community Forum on Public Safety, in downtown Camden. 

For a link to a Philadelphia Inquirer story about the smoking ban in Von Nida Park, quoting one of our student leaders, click here. 
For a link to a story about our student leaders and community organizing, click here. 

Some of the 38 student leaders, city and county officials, and neighbors in attendance at our monthly Von Nieda Park meeting. 

Bikes-R-Us showing their plan for a Sk8tepark.

Carlos of Bikes-R-Us conferring with Fr. Jud after the meeting.

Fr. Jud and Jennie from Azusa Pacific University debriefing the meeting with one of our student co-chairs.

Our task force posing by the dead tree they want removed in Von Nieda Park. 

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force circling up for prayer before our big trip to Washington.

Is Fr. Jud's driving that scary?

The first of many walks--on our way to the Metro.

Some last minute preparation for our presentation at Health and Human Services' Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. * (For photos of the group in Washington with a * after the caption, thanks go to Heather Wilson/PICO National Network.)
For more pictures of our students leaders on the PICO website click here.

Most of our students had a chance to present part of our Powerpoint show. *

Our students know that he got his start in community organizing. *

*

Our students made a great impression in Washington.

The conference room was full of Health and Human Services officials and guests. 

*


The conference room was full of Health and Human Services officials and guests. *

Fr. Jud was extremely proud of his students. *

*

Explaining the process for choosing which priorities the students will address. *

Question and answer time is when our students truly shine. *

*

*

Alexia Kelley, Director of Health and Human Services' Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, was our host. *

*

Our students attentively listening to Health and Human Services staff presentations.

*

A visit to the Secretary's Operations Center in the Hubert Humphrey Building. *

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force, chaperons, and friends from Health and Human Services. *

*

Lunch at the Longworth Cafeteria.

Thanks to Rep. Robert Andrews' staff for their support.

"Someday, I'll be elected to serve here."

The underground Capitol tunnel.

The Capitol Visitor Center.


Visiting the Rotunda on our Capitol tour.


Ready to start a long walk to the U.S. Institute of Peace.

An oasis on the way to the USIP.

Follow the leader.

Waiting for the rest of the group to catch up.

At the 2-mile mark...

An abandoned house in Washington?

We finally arrived at the U.S. Institute of Peace. 

At the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Our host Andrew at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

At the U.S. Institute of Peace.







Outside the U.S. Institute of Peace. 

One more stop on the Mall--the Lincoln Memorial.



The long walk is almost over.

Hooray for the Metro!


Outside Holy Name College.

Thanks to the friars for a great meal at Holy Name College.
Thanks to the friars for a great meal--and hot chocolate latte--at Holy Name College.

The students truly enjoyed their visit to Holy Name College.

Thanks to our friends at Bikes-R-Us for brightening up the trash barrels in Von Nieda Park to match their building.

Our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force rehearsing their presentation for Washington, D.C. with guests from the Salvation Arms Service Corps present. 

Getting neighbors involved in watering the flowers we planted in Von Nieda Park.   Carlos and his Bikes-R-Us crew will water the flowers every Tuesday. 

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force working on their presentation for Washington, D.C.  

Our community organizing students deciding which projects for Von Nieda Park deserve top priority. 
Br. George Leila and Rebecca with our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force at Rutgers-Camden for the first meeting of the Camden City Integrated Municipal Advisory Council (IMAC) to work on an outdoor smoke-free ordinance for Camden City. Our students have been asked to help in developing a community network to discourage outdoor tobacco use in public places and to decrease exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke.


Our Summer SOAR program students in the Community Organizing class inspecting Von Nieda Park.

Our Summer SOAR program students in the Community Organizing class point out graffiti on benches in Von Nieda Park that they plan to paint this summer.

Our Summer SOAR program students in the Community Organizing class point out graffiti on a building next to Von Nieda Park that they hope to paint over with murals this summer.

Thanks to Camden County for the flowers for Von Nieda Park.

Our Von Nieda Park days are not just about picking up trash, they're about planting flowers, too!

Planters from Medford Lakes, Wisconsin, and Camden!

Student leader taking a shovel to it.

New in Von Nieda Park--a flower bed!  Thanks to our friends from Medford Lakes for all the help!

Yes, we recycle!

Water bearers from Medford Lakes, Anaheim, California, and La Union, El Salvador.

A unique sprinkling system.

Despite weekly cleanups by the county, this is what we find in less than an hour.

One of our teams distributing refrigerator magnets with the numbers to call if you see people dumping trash in the park, or other infractions.

Peaches!

A great turnout for our fourth Von Nieda Park Cleanup (and flower planting) Day of the year.

How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?

Thanks for the hoagies!

Friends of Francis, and Friends of Von Nieda Park.

An important task at the end of the day--separating the recyclables from the trash!

Click here for a Catholic Star Herald front page story on our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.
The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force arrives at Camden County College in Blackwood.

Our students waiting for the start of the Freeholders meeting.

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force is honored by the Camden County Board of Freeholders. 


Vianca explains the difference between community service and community organizing.

Freeholder Jeffrey Nash addresses the students.



Congratulations on winning these awards from the Camden County Board of Freeholders.
His first Rita's!

Relaxing at Rita's after the Freeholder's awards. 

For a story on our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force on Claudia Vargas' Camden Flow blog, click here and scroll to June 11.
Check out our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force on the news.    
Our students are interviewed by 6ABC, as they give a tour of Von Nieda Park prior to being awarded the national Jefferson Award for their environmental work.



Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash talking with the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force about their award-winning work in Von Nieda Park.

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force showing where they got the swings replaced, and lowered so younger children can use them.

The Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force showing 6ABC one of the benches they painted in Von Nieda Park.

Maryann Younger of the Jefferson Awards with the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force, one of five groups in the nation to win an award for their environmental work.

Congratulations to the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force!

Maryann Younger of the Jefferson Awards presents the $500 award check to Fr. Jud for the Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

6th and 7th graders with bench they helped design in our Rain Garden.

Congratulations to four graduating 8th Graders from the Student Von Nieda Park Task Force: Joseph, Lizbeth, Nicole and Vianca.  Good luck in high school!



The Class of 2012 heading into their future. 
A little fun helps the park cleanup go faster.

This ship, which passed by the park, will be in the San Juan Bautista parade.

In the swing of things.

This Plexiglas was broken on April 6, almost two months ago.

Cleaning up Von Nieda Park.

Never too young to clean up the park!


We recycle!

Getting rid of weeds the old-fashioned way...

...and the fossil-fuel burning way.

Our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force gets 23 people out to clean up the park on a beautiful day.

Click here for a Camden County article and pictures about our Student Leaders' work in Von Nieda Park.


Shahid Rana of Coopers Ferry Partnership, Task Manager for implementing the new changes in Von Nieda Park, goes over the plan with one of our student leaders.



The Students Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force going over the new plans for the park.



The baseball field is going over there!

"Our photographer likes goofy pictures."



Someone who attended our presentation at the Romero Lecture at Rutgers-Camden invited the Students Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force to give a similar presentation in Cherry Hill.



St. Anthony's students with the student council leaders of Resurrection Catholic School.



"Yes, that was me many years ago..."



Explaining the difference between community service and community organizing.



Our Powerpoint presentation.



We spoke to the 6th, 7th and 8th grades.



"Would anyone like to come up and share what you've learned today?"



"What I learned from the St. Anthony's students..."



Thanks to Pat Slater of Christ Our Light Parish for coordinating our visit. 

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force preparing their Powerpoint presentation to be given at Resurrection Catholic School. 

Camden County installed these signs in Von Nieda Park, thanks to a request from our students. 

Getting ready for Mayor Redd's Camden Clean Campaign in Von Nieda Park.

St. Anthony's students cleaning Von Nieda Park as part of Mayor Redd's Camden Clean Campaign.

For a day, we'll call her Mayor Pinkk.

Mr. Miller and his students raking it in.

St. Anthony's students brown bagging it in Von Nieda Park as part of Mayor Redd's Camden Clean Campaign.

Mr. Miller handing out recycling bracelets.

"Mayor Redd, you missed a spot!"

St. Anthony's art teacher Ms. Baum and four of her students transformed Von Nieda Park in just one day.

Lending a hand, having a ball.

Snake in Von Nieda Park! 

Dream in Von Nieda Park.

St. Anthony's students admiring the notice board their classmates requested--and got--for Von Nieda Park.


St. Anthony's recycles, even in the park.

The benches the way they were--graffiti targets.

My students!

A mayor, a principal, and a future leader.

Is it a bench, or a blank canvas? 
Let's paint!

Believe in Von Nieda Park.

Love in Von Nieda Park.

Love--Believe--Peace in Von Nieda Park.
Peace Art in Von Nieda Park.

Toward the end of a long, hot day in Von Nieda Park.

Hope in Von Nieda Park.

Guess what--we need more paint!

Our art teacher Ms. Baum has Faith in Von Nieda Park.
Peace in Von Nieda Park. 

Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force at the New Jersey Youth Service Awards in Trenton.











Our student leaders explaining the work that won them a New Jersey Youth Service Award, part of the New Jersey Governor's Jerfferson Awards.

Receiving our awards at the New Jersey Youth Service Awards in Trenton.


Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force and other award winners at the New Jersey Youth Service Awards in Trenton.

Congratulations!


The awards were presented at the New Jersey State Museum.  Scaaaaary!


Enjoying their just desserts.


Award winners in the New Jersey State Museum Art Gallery.

We like the food, but the real reason we're so happy is we're so proud of our brother!

Cool cherry cream, pineapple tart...
  A blessing for our Student Leacers' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

9:30 a.m.: "Oh no, graffiti on the Cramer Hill Community Center!"
 Our Students Leaders inspecting where the plexiglas was smashed on our community notice board in Von Nieda Park.

Hard at work on the Von Nieda Park Cleanup Day, sponsored by St. Anthony's and the Cramer Hill Community Development Corporation.

"Garbage or recycling? Garbage!"

After a morning of picking up litter, we couldn't even get to this part of Von Nieda Park.

After a morning of picking up litter, we couldn't even get to this part of Von Nieda Park.

14 of 15 cigarette packs we found were Newports. The Lorillard Corporation just might be hearing from our Student Leaders' Von Nieda Park Task Force.

A morning's work--four big bags of trash, and two of recycling.

Almost as much fun as picking up litter.

St. Anthony Student Leaders--and future ones.

"Can't people read?"

11 a.m.: Thanks, Cramer Hill Community Development Corporation, for your fast work.

"Here we come, walking down the street..."


  We're recycling!

"Please keep Camden clean!" We agree!

Student Leaders need to keep properly pizzated.

Guess what, another pack of Newports!

In our neighborhood, it should say, "Newport litter!"


"We're with Frowny!"

"I'd bend over backwards to chair the next meeting!"
Our student community organizers with Camden City Council President and director of the Camden County Parks Department Mr. Frank Moran.
Congratulations to our student community organizers, and our artist (far right) for getting Camden County to make this refrigerator magnets with numbers to call to report people mistreating Von Nieda Park.

Our Student Leaders Von Nieda Park Task Force enjoying the swings that they got the county to fix.

Great art work!  It was chosen as the design for the Von Nieda Park refrigerator magnets that Camden County and St. Anthony's will distribute.
Our Von Nieda Student Leaders Task Force meet Mr. Russ Testa and Mr. Jack Jezreel.

Manny Delgado of the Cramer Hill CDC (Community Development Corporation) meeting with our students about Von Nieda Park.
 
Thanks to the Student Leaders Von Nieda Park Task Force, the benches are getting painted by the county parks department.
Fr. Jud with two of our students who meet monthly with city and county parks officials. 
For a story on our student leaders working on Von Nieda Park, click here.

Thanks to the Student Leaders Von Nieda Park Task Force, city workers painted over the graffiti on the Cramer Hill Community Center today.

Continuing on the topic of community organizing, at Christian Unity Week.

Another St. Anthony's student presenting at Christian Unity Week.

A wonderful presentation by a St. Anthony's student.

Christian Flower Week.

Bishop Farmer with our St. Anthony of Padua Students at Christian Unity Week.

"We have a dream--that the Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing will be a huge success!"

Several St. Anthony's students were in attendance at our 3rd Annual Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing, geared toward 7th-12th graders.

Student leader at the mic on our tour of the neighborhood.
For a story in the Catholic Star Herald click here. 

Grace before lunch.

At right, Orlando Munoz and Iraida Afanador of the City of Camden answering questions.

Current leaders, and a future one.

"How does it feel to be a leader?"

Kristen with our three student leaders for the Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing. 

We're planning for this year's Martin Luther King Day of Community Organizing.

Josh teaching about civic engagement.

Josh teaching about civic engagement.