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BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED on HOW
CAMDEN POLITICIANS STOLE OUR BUILDING
A STORY THAT MUST BE TOLD To all Business, Political, Community, and Religious Leaders: The Unity Community Center's performing arts have achieved local, national and international acclaim. Unity Community Center's performing arts have electrified millions of audiences throughout America and also certain parts of the world. The members practice and achieved these accomplishments out of a small store front building in one of the poorest, most violent and deprived cities in America, since its grand opening in February of 1984.
1544 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Camden, New Jersey 08104 Thousands of young people practice and were developed in this building. Many contribute their educational success and life success to the Unity Community Center's performing arts of discipline, culture, love and hope programs. On August 28, 2000 a wonderful elderly lady (Ms. Marlene R. Craig) donated a large building (1427-29 Haddon Avenue) to the Unity Community Center. She had many offers, however she agreed to our proposal, because of our success with the young people in Camden, she felt that a larger facility would aide us in helping more young people. The building was visited by famous personality JOE PISCOPO and blessed by Pastor JOHN O. PARKER of Antioch Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey. 1427-29 Haddon Avenue, Camden, New Jersey 08104 / with Joe Piscopo and his producers THE PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN The Unity Community Center inherited the tax lien from Ms. Marlene R. Craig. Ms. Marlene R. Craig (donor) as well as her lawyer, Camden City Council Members and our organization felt because of our longevity, accomplishments and our successful programs in a City of great despair, that the tax lien would be forgiven to aide us in the continuation of helping more young people. Due to red tape, the discrimination by Camden City Officials of the Federal Block Grant Process and abrupt political changes and corruptions of Camden City Politicians and leaders in Camden City government since 1984, the young people of the Unity Community Center and the City of Camden have suffered and many young people didn't get the opportunity to experience the successful programs at the Unity Community Center. Unity Community Center has received many promises from Mayors, politicians and the COO's of Camden, New Jersey (Mr. Melvin Primas and Judge Theodore Davis) to no benefit. The minutes of the meeting of the ECONOMIC RECOVERY BOARD (ERB) May 27, 2008 states: Judge Davis agreed that was unfortunate that the grant is no longer available, but noted that since they received a gift with a tax lien attached that perhaps the lien could be forgiven by Council. He explained further that there is an application for forgiveness of the lien that the group can submit to Council. Complete minutes of this meeting please CLICK HERE: We also received a Certified City Council Resolution Dated April 28, 2009 which states in paragraph 8; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The City Council of the City of Camden hereby supports Unity Community Center's efforts to secure grant and other project-related funding for an expansion of the physical infrastructure and programmatic offerings to the Camden community of Unity Community Center. Complete Resolution please CLICK HERE: This building (1427-29 Haddon Avenue) has sat and became an eye soar to the community for approximately 20 plus years. It has sat for the last 10 years under Unity Community Center's ownership. Against all odds we were still successful with the young people in Camden out of our small store front facility (1544 Mt. Ephraim Avenue). We thank Pastor John O. Parker and many for their blessings, because this building (1427-29 Haddon Avenue) is still standing. The Unity Community Center and the community of Camden would appreciate your help to renovate this building to become a state of the arts facility. What has Unity Community Center contributed and prepared, in order to make this project become a REALITY for the Community (1) BEAUTIFUL RENDERING (Add value and beauty to the community and city)
(2) Professional Architect firm with Architectural Plans (3) BUSINESS PLAN, PROPOSALS and all STATE and (IRS) 501 C 3- UP TO DATE DOCUMENTS (4) The last five years of Certified Audits of the Unity Community Center (5) Corporate matching funds (6) Unity Community Center's personal financial contribution (7) Dedicated Officials, Board Members, Executive Advisory Board Members and Staff (8) One of the most successful youth performing arts organization in America (9) Dedicated members and volunteers HOW CAN WE BE HELPED If you truly believe in the children, the future, a better and safer Camden, New Jersey and of course a better America, please help us. Think of the accomplishments we made with the little help we received from the City of Camden and the State of New Jersey politicians. Think of how many young people were deprived from developmental programs. Imagine how many young people that suffer from the social ills within our community, could have been helped by the successful programs of the Unity Community Center. (1) Help encourage Camden and New Jersey State politicians, especially Camden Mayor Dana Redd make this situation TOP PRIORITY. Remember it is good to build buildings, parks, sidewalks and to improve the water front, however we must also build and develop people and especially young people. (2) Help us raise funds and donate to this project. PLEASE CALL 856-365-4817 or 856-365-1226 ROBERT H. DICKERSON / 856-364-0703 |
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