By: Isaiah S. Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
BRIDGETON, N.J. — In early May the Urban Enterprise Zone and Bridgeton Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking event at Bridgeton Plaza for business owners to get better acquainted with each other.
The business owners filled the space with everyone passing the microphone introducing themselves and their business and then the food was ready to be served. Kenya Avila of the AviMar Design LLC was in attendance and shared how proud she is of her culture and of the dresses and handmade bracelets that are sold at her business.
“I love to wear what represents my culture” said Avila. “I want to tell the story of how my family immigrated here to America to start the American Dream and now we’re available to tell our Mexican Dream.”
Quira Alston is the president of Haven House, an organization focused on helping individuals overcome barriers and provide mental health services. She was also in attendance and shares that the community could be helpful to youth in the community by being more trustworthy; especially when the youth feel their voice has little impact.
“We have a bunch of youth venting on technology. They do not have the resources,” said Alston. “We need the community to be the resource in the flesh.”
Bridgeton is full of small businesses and events like this seem to only make those business owners come together increasing the unity in the city.
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