Learning Community in New Jersey
Amanda Barltett
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Features
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In 2004 the city of Camden was ranked the most dangerous city in the nation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and has since consistently held high rates of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft. According to United States Census, Camden High School has a 50% dropout rate, and at least one third of the homes in Camden live below the poverty line.
Brittany Allen, a C-N junior, heard the statistics of Camden and the social injustices that went along with such a city before deciding to spend her Spring Break there. "I thought and prayed about it, and I was in! I wanted to learn more," said Allen. Allen packed her bags eager to learn more about social injustice, Catholicism, and the northeast of the United States. Looking back over her expectations for the trip Allen says she "didn't realize how much of a community building experience this was going to be." Dave McNeely, the youth and college minister at First Baptist Church, and student leader, Lauren Bailey, a senior Philosophy and Social Entrepreneurship major, led the Carson-Newman group. This S.P.O.T.S. trip was sponsored by First Baptist Church.
After being in Camden for less than 48 hours, the team quickly discovered the reason they were called to such a place over their spring break. The team experienced something far greater than they could ever imagine: true community. For one of their many ministries, the team planted potatoes at the Romero Center, a retreat and Social Justice Education Center in Camden. As they were planting the potatoes, along with members of the community and other groups visiting the city, a group of peace walkers approached the scene. They were walking from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C and the Romero Center was holding a dinner in their honor. A group of Buddhist Monks was among the peace walkers, and the team witnessed these monks walking for peace as they came to the potato planting sight. As student leader Bailey watched the peace walkers she experienced feelings of community like she had never before.
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