Being Green at the Office
read more...The Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey, Inc. provides a wide variety of health and human services to the City of Camden.
It began in 1976 as a small advocacy organization in North Camden, and has since become a comprehensive human services agency (also bilingual and bicultural) serving the residents of South Jersey.
Mission
Vision
Milestones & History
Mission
The Hispanic Family Center’s (HFC) mission is to provide the community with a broad range of culturally relevant social services and advocacy programs that promote and encourage empowerment and self sufficiency.
Annually, HFC serves approximately 6,000 consumers. Throughout its over 30 year history the Hispanic Family Center has strived to meet the ever changing needs of Camden County, with a particular mission to serve the Hispanics living in the county. What started as a grassroots organization providing mental health services and advocacy has become a community leader that provides services which impact the lives of its consumers.
HFC has continuously taken a leadership role in coordinating efforts with other community organizations to facilitate the provision of a full range of services for individuals and families in need. The Hispanic Family Center continually works with other entities to ensure appropriate access to services for clients served while maintaining a particular emphasis on serving the health, human service, and employment needs of the community.The Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey, through its comprehensive programs and services, will address the immediate needs (physical, mental, social, economic, and political) of the residents of Southern New Jersey, as well as establish itself as an instrument of change and a voice of power for the clients it serves and represents.
1976
- Beginning as an advocacy organization in North Camden, the agency is incorporated in 1976 (as the Hispanic Health and Mental Health Association) and has since grown to be a major provider of human services and mental health counseling.1978
- La Esperanza outpatient drug treatment program is launched.1980
- The outpatient mental health services, Family Counseling Clinic, is established.
1982
- The organization becomes a United Way member agency.
1985
- Due to the agency's program expansion, mental health programs in particular, the organization relocates to 425 Broadway.
1987
- The Hispanic Senior Citizen Program and the Hispanic Women's Resource Center are established.
1989
-The Women's Center relocates its operation from Broadway Street to Cooper Street (Old United Way building-now demolished and new site of Federal Court).
- ESL training program commences.
1990
- Launch of HIV prevention initiatives (LUCES) and substance abuse prevention initiatives (Juntos).
- The name of the organization is changed to the Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey in order to better reflect the mission.
- The Hispanic Women’s Resource Center is relocated to Westfield Avenue.
1993
- In April, the HFC purchases 2700 Westfield Avenue with the help of donations by the United Jersey Bank.
1995
- "The Bilingual Home Health Aid Training Program" funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through the New Jersey Health Initiatives, is implemented as a 3 year initiative.
1997
- 2700 Westfield Avenue building is renovated.
1998
- Youth center for teens is introduced.
2000
- Computer Literacy/ESL combined training offered at HFC.
- HFC expands LUCES HIV/AIDS program to include Syphilis.
2001
- Work-Up regional employment related case management program in collaboration with PRAC, Penns Grove is launched.
- Awarded the GlaxoSmithKline “Community Impact” Award.
2002
- Three year “I Can Problem Solve” initiative is launched in collaboration with Camden City preschools.
- Camden County Cultural Sensitivity Institute is launched in collaboration with CCCADA.
2003
- Asthma Prevention program is initiated.
2004
- Mental health treatment adds another modality and the Partial Care Program is launched.
- HFC 30th anniversary gala is held at the Hilton Hotel, Cherry Hill. HFC Started in 1974 as a grassroots movement and was incorporated in 1976.
2005
- New Jersey After 3, after school program for 190 Sumner Elementary children begins.
- Three to Achieve Program teaching drug resistance and parenting skills is launched.
2006
- New civics education program kicks off.
- JAWS summer youth program funded by the Jaworski Family and Pulte Homes is launched.
2007
- Launch of Family Success Center program.
- Launch of Differential Response program.
- Launch of Robert Wood Johnson funded Intensive Outpatient Treatment program.
- Purchase of 2850 Federal Street and 35-47 29th Street buildings.
- Renovation of 2850 Federal Street building is completed.
2008
- Launch of domestic violence counseling program.
- Launch of United Way job developer program.
- Renovations of 35-47 29th Street building are completed.2009
- Launch of Green Jobs Training Program
- Launch of New Jersey FamilyCare Enrollment program.
- Launch of LIHEAP Program
- HFC opens office in Woodbury, NJ.2010
- Launch of Project Connect Program
- Launch of Women's Re-entry Training Program2011
- Launch of Woodbury Family Success Center and expansion of services in Gloucestor County
- Launch of Robert Wood Johnson/New Jersey Health Initiatives' Capacity Building Program2012
- Completion of Green Jobs Learning Lab funded by BPU
Chairperson, Israel Colon, PhD (Temple University School of Social Work)
Vice-Chairperson, Doug Diaz, Esq. (Archer & Greiner P.C.)
Treasurer, Zoe Rodriguez (Kennedy Health System)
Secretary, Kyle Ruffin (K Ruffin and Associates)
Maribel Roman (Camden Board of Education)
Felix Torres-Colon (St. Joseph's Carpenter Society)
Executives
Executive Director – Elsa Candelario, MSW, LCSW
Director of Development and Marketing, Amber Oakley, MPA
Director of Quality Assurance and Facilities, Janessa Rivera, BA**Serve on the Hispanic Family Center Board of Directors
HFC is currently seeking a few individuals with specific skill sets and a dedication to our mission to serve on the Board of Directors. We seek individuals who are committed to the communities that we serve in South Jersey and to the delivery of the services offered through Hispanic Family Center. We are recruiting individuals who possess skills in any of the following areas: accounting, information technology, marketing, fundraising and legal. If you are willing to give of your time and talent, please send a letter of interest and a resume to:The Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey
Attn: Elsa Candelario, Executive Director
35-47 S. 29th Street
Camden, NJ 08105
35-47 S. 29th St | Camden, NJ 08105 | 856-541-6985 | 856-963-2663 (fax)