Camden Y Teen Leaders Program

This project aims to enhance the collaboration between Rutgers-Camden and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA by developing and implementing a community-based intervention to address the social determinants of health related to employment, education, community spaces, and social contexts among low-income families. The intervention will leverage existing resources and expertise of both partners to provide holistic and tailored support to the participants, with the potential to advance new programming such as health and wellness education, physical activity programs, financial and digital literacy workshops, and referrals to other social services.

As a pivotal first step toward populating the Rutgers-Camden Community Partnership Centers (RU-CPCs), the Camden Y Teen Leaders Program is launching new programs this fall to engage Camden youth in college and career readiness experiences while fostering community service and leadership skills. This community-engaged programming responds to the needs and areas of interest expressed in the community needs assessment being performed on behalf of the Rutgers-Camden Division of Diversity, Inclusion & Civic Engagement (DICE). By doing so, this project will contribute to long-lasting, reciprocal relationships between Rutgers-Camden, GPY, and the greater Camden community that are based on mutual trust, respect, and shared goals.