Urban Challenge: Chapel Speeches Added

Chaplain Cynthia Crowner, along with the Rev. David Harvey, a Blair Trustee and pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown, traveled with 12 students to Camden, N.J., during Spring Break as part of the Romero Center’s Urban Challenge Program. Students later spoke about their experience at Chapel; read their speeches by clicking on the links below. They visited many sites where agencies – both religious and secular – meet the needs of the poor and needy. The Urban Challenge program is described as follows: “The experience gives people of good will and people of faith the opportunity to build bridges of understanding. We help to confront issues which divide our nation – poverty, race and class – in a reflective, constructive environment. In Urban Challenge, we combine volunteer service in the city with work, study and reflection. We also tour the city and listen to people from the community tell their stories about living in Camden.”

Upon returning to Blair, Rev. Harvey reported the following to Headmaster Chan Hardwick, “I wanted to let you know that the students excelled at representing Blair in a very challenging situation. To put it into proper context, at the conclusion of the day when we visited and provided services at New Visions, a shelter for the homeless in Camden that provides meals, showers, clean clothing and a ‘sanctuary’ for Camden’s homeless, one homeless man, a ‘regular’ at the center, told Executive Director Kevin Moran, “Kevin, where’d you get these kids? They are fun, actually ate lunch with us and are the very best that we’ve had come through here!”

Chapel Speeches:

• Anu Akinbamidele
• James Siriani
• Olivia Sapin

Updated 4/15/2010

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