Empowering and Collaborating: SJ Nonprofit Empowerment Summit

The South Jersey Nonprofit Empowerment Summit, held on October 23, 2024, at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden, New Jersey, was a resounding success, providing valuable resources and guidance to nonprofit professionals. Organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the New Jersey Office of Faith-Based Initiatives (OFBI), the event brought together officials from ten federal and state government agencies, nonprofit leaders, and community members to collaborate on strengthening the social and economic well-being of vulnerable communities in South Jersey. ​

Attendees participated in informative sessions and workshops addressing essential topics to improve the quality of life in their communities. Distinguished speakers, including Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen, Alfonso Nicholas, HHS Regional Administrator for Region 2, and Edward LaPorte, Executive Director of New Jersey's OFBI, highlighted the importance of sustainable development and increasing access to resources for nonprofits in South Jersey. ​

Belkis Shindell, co-founder and CEO of MINA, who was in charge of the logistics for this important event, spoke about the importance of empowering nonprofit organizations with the necessary tools and connections to improve their services and better serve their communities, reinforcing MINA's commitment to fostering inclusive growth and sustainability.

The event, led by Nicole Meyers, Lead Program Liaison for DHHS/ACF Region 2, featured participation from regional government team members, such as Zainab T. Syred, Program Manager and Communications Officer for New Jersey's OFBI, among other collaborators. Workshops and working sessions covered essential topics like simplifying the federal grant application process through Grants.gov, HHS's Simplified Grants Initiative to promote equity, and the Federal Reserve's CLIFF suite of tools. ​

The summit concluded with a networking session where participants had the opportunity to forge new partnerships and collaborate on innovative solutions for their communities. ​

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📌 Editorial: Norma Bolaños

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