By: Michelle Jones, Follow South Jersey Corresponding Writer
SALEM, N.J. – Community Promise Academy (CPA) is a growing after school program based in Salem City and is designed for middle school and high school age students.
This program offers skill sets such as STEM, social emotional activities, homework help, and community service work. Under the direction of Kina Nichols and along with the staff made up of Nichols, Destiny LeFlore, Jalen Hudgins, and Jordain Watts, the program has grown from about 20 students at its inception to nearly 100 students in their second year.
Community service is something that weighs on the heart of the director and it is something that she wants to instill within the program. As the students learn about social emotional skills and navigating life, instilling a spirit of helping the community is part of that growth.
Throughout the time that the students have been involved in CPA, they have worked on a number of community service efforts. This past school year they have cleaned up the streets with Stand up for Salem, they made paper turkeys to hand out at the Thanksgiving Feast, they worked the Yuletide tour at a local church, serving families and children, where the students handed out hot chocolate and cookies. They also colored with guests. CPA students have also participated in Women’s Art Fellowship activities as well as activities geared toward making encouraging gifts for those most in need of love and a sense of community.
On Sunday, March 30, the students showed up once again to serve the community and begin preparation for a large Easter luncheon. The luncheon will serve approximately 200 to 300 people on Easter Sunday, complete with ham, macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole. The students, having made candy grams for the community on Valentine’s Day, came together to make similar gifts for anyone who attends this year’s Easter luncheon. Not only did the students create the gifts artistically, but they wrapped them and wrote notes to each person who will receive one. The notes are designed to let each visitor know they are loved.
The students involved with doing service projects from CPA, along with the director and staff, go out of their way to make sure community service is a vital part of the program. Many of the service activities have taken place on the weekends, during the students free time, but that doesn’t stop them from consistently showing up.
Programs such as this, along with great students, and leadership are exactly what make a community thrive and grow. One day these students may become leaders instilled with a passion for service, strong work ethic, and desire to make the Salem community feel loved, wanted, and valued.
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