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Community Corner

L.U.C.Y. Outreach Finds New Home this Holiday Season

Lifting Up Camden’s Youth (L.U.C.Y.) Outreach is expanding its annual Holiday Wreath Sale by setting-up shop in a popular main-street storefront in Haddonfield this holiday season. Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 22, youth involved in L.U.C.Y. will sell holiday wreaths and poinsettias at 115 East Kings Highway to raise money for the program.

 

L.U.C.Y. – one of six ministries of St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral supported by The Joseph Fund – provides a safe place for Camden’s youth to gain valuable life skills, increase confidence and receive academic instruction and spiritual and social support. Participants learn the importance of service and giving back to the community and enact that learning through various community service activities.

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This year, the annual Holiday Sale will feature poinsettias in addition to holiday wreaths. L.U.C.Y. program participants, staff and volunteers will operate the store to help raise money for the program, which will serve as a teaching model for youth on how to manage a business.

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“Youth in Camden are faced with a lack of job opportunities, as they often must compete with adults in their community for the few positions that are available in the surrounding suburbs,” said Kristin Prinn, executive director, L.U.C.Y Outreach. “This sale is a win-win because it provides Camden youth with a way to gain work experience while also benefiting our program.”

 

The idea to expand was sparked by Angelo Alberto, owner of Alberto & Associates, a Haddonfield-based architectural firm. Mr. Alberto, who serves on The Joseph Fund board, requested the building’s owners – InterState Commercial (ICRE) – to allow L.U.C.Y. to set-up in Haddonfield as part of L.U.C.Y.’s holiday fundraising initiative.

 

“Those involved with The Joseph Fund see how hard these ministries work to make a difference in Camden. As professionals and members of the business community, we strive to take the ideas of these ministries and pursue different avenues to help them raise more funds and find new opportunities,” said Alberto.

 

This is a great opportunity not only to sell wreaths and poinsettias and raise revenue for LUCY, but also for the kids involved in the program to see firsthand how small retail operations work and to enjoy and experience a classic main street in Haddonfield during the holidays,” he said.

 

Youth involved in the program made their own decorations and outfitted the storefront with colorful holiday décor in preparation for the holiday sale. The L.U.C.Y. Outreach Holiday Wreath Sale at 115 East Kings Highway in Haddonfield will be open Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. from November 30 through December 22.

 

The Joseph Fund, a Camden-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Ministries of St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, supports six ministries that provide housing and youth programs, convert abandoned buildings into affordable homes, and much more to the Camden community. In addition to L.U.C.Y., programs of The Joseph Fund include The St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, St. Joseph’s Elementary School, The Child Development Center, Joseph’s House, and Romero Center Ministries.

 

For more information about The Joseph Fund, visit www.josephfundcamden.org or call 856-576-7012.


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