Bancroft, one of the region’s largest providers of specialized services and supports for children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injury, was awarded a $5,000 grant from the COVID-19 Response Fund, managed by Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ). The money has helped offset unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, enabling the organization to continue delivering vital programs and services virtually, and purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure the health and safety of individuals served and Bancroft’s essential employees.

Like so many other organizations across the country, COVID-19 has forced the continued closure of Bancroft’s in-person educational services and adult day program and employment services since March – prompting the organization to reimagine the way those services are delivered, including classroom instruction and related therapies. It has also severely limited opportunities for community integration and recreation that are critical to the well-being of the hundreds of individuals served by Bancroft residential programs.

“COVID-19 has caused a seismic shift in every aspect of our lives and forced nonprofit organizations like Bancroft to rethink the way we deliver our critical, life-sustaining services while protecting the health of this vulnerable population and the essential staff who support them,” said Toni Pergolin, Bancroft President and Chief Executive Officer. “The grant from the Community Foundation of South Jersey will support us in our commitment to our mission of helping people living with disabilities to live their best life.”

“Thank you to Bancroft for its services creating hope, home, and community for individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and persons in need of neurological rehabilitation. Their work allows each individual to reach their full potential for a happy and fulfilling life,” said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “The COVID-19 Response Fund is a resource that supports, the organization’s such as Bancroft to deliver services in these uncertain times.”

The South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund continues to assist local nonprofits that need support in order to serve communities impacted by the pandemic. To date, the Fund has raised more than one million dollars, but this is not enough to meet the overwhelming need.   If you would like to support the only such Fund where donations stay in our South Jersey region, please visit www.southjerseyresponsefund.org.

About Bancroft

Bancroft is a leading regional nonprofit provider of specialized services for individuals with autism, other intellectual or developmental disabilities and those in need of neurological rehabilitation. Through its innovative programs supporting people throughout different stages in life, Bancroft offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at unlocking the full potential in each person and meeting his or her changing needs. Programming includes special education, vocational training and supported employment, structured day programs, residential treatment programs, community living programs, and behavioral supports. In 2018, Bancroft opened the Raymond & Joanne Welsh Campus in Mt. Laurel, N.J., for children’s services, featuring the flagship Bancroft School and Lindens Center for Autism. The campus is the most progressive and expansive campus for children with special needs in the region.

Bancroft NeuroRehab focuses on the therapeutic, day program and residential needs of people in rehabilitation from brain injury or other neurological disorders with four locations throughout New Jersey.

Established in 1883 and now headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., Bancroft boasts 30+ programs in 17 locations serving 2,200 people annually throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, including more than 275 community-based group homes and supervised apartments. For more information, visit bancroft.org.

Cathedral Kitchen, the largest emergency food provider in Camden, NJ, has worked tirelessly to shift from on-site dining to take out and meal delivery in an effort to provide emergency food aid to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $15,000 grant from the SJ COVID-19 Response Fund, which is managed by Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ), helped the Cathedral Kitchen team keep up with the rise in food insecurity in the area. The grant also went to providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and hiring additional staff such as chefs and sous chefs.

The grant supported the organization’s ability to manage unexpected extra food costs and their need to purchase take-out boxes, hand wipes, and bottled water for to-go meals. They also increased food delivery to other organizations and housing communities, and revamped programs such as dental care and job placement. 

“Yearly, we give out 300 meals to roughly 5,000 people, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a large increase in need,” said Carrie Kitchen-Santiago, Executive Director of Cathedral Kitchen. “The grant from the Response Fund allowed us to serve the larger number of people in need of meals. We are very grateful for the help and are glad to keep serving those in our community.”

“We are so gratified that our Response Fund grant has helped Cathedral Kitchen feed those who are hungry in our South Jersey community,” said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “Thanks to contributions from businesses, foundations and local individuals, we’re able to help Cathedral Kitchen and other organizations transition programs and purchase PPE to stay safe during these trying times.”

The South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund continues to respond to local nonprofits that need support to serve communities impacted by the pandemic. To date, the Fund has raised more than one million dollars while the requests from nonprofits is at least five times more. To support the only fund where donations stay in our South Jersey region, visit southjerseyresponsefund.org. 

About Cathedral Kitchen

Founded in 1976, Cathedral Kitchen currently serves more than 100,000 meals per year utilizing food to nourish, train, and employ people in order to help them improve their lives and energize a healthy community.  In addition to serving dinner Monday thru Friday and lunch on Saturday on-site, Cathedral Kitchen provides meals for local after school programs, groceries for low-income senior citizens, and donations for local food pantries, churches, and soup kitchens in the Camden area.  They also operate a 17-week Culinary Arts Training Program and a Baking Arts Training Program held concurrently, twice per year, the CK Cafe and catering service, as well as, ongoing dental care and general health screening services.  Individuals from across South Jersey of different faiths and backgrounds volunteer their time and talents each year, filling more than 9,000 volunteer slots to help keep overhead costs down.

The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) is pleased to announce the addition of Valeria Galarza and Ann Marie Liotta to the CFSJ Governing Board.

Valeria Galarza founded ALTA Impact Partners, LLC in January 2020 to address social and community change, and community-driven strategies grounded on equity, policy, systems, and environmental change. Before starting ALTA, Galarza had served as Senior Project Manager at Cooper’s Ferry Partnership and Vice President of Strategic Expansion for  YMCA of Burlington & Camden Counties. She brings over 15 years of program design and development, policy and advocacy, strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, and community engagement knowledge to the Governing Board.

Ann Marie Liotta, CPA, AEP®, has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry.  She currently works as the US Wealth Strategist of Cohn Financial Group and holds a Certified Public Accountant’s license in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Her 20-plus years of financial experience in numerous states will bring a wealth of financial knowledge to the Governing Board.   

“I am excited to join the CFSJ Governing Board and to help develop innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the communities the Foundation serves,” said Valeria Galarza. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my fellow board members and  to enhance the Foundation’s efforts to help marginalized communities thrive.”

“Becoming a member of the CFSJ Governing Board is truly an honor and I am excited to get to work,” said Ann Marie Liotta. “The Foundation does critical work in South Jersey and I look forward to being a part of their efforts to build stronger, more prosperous communities throughout the region.”  

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Valeria and Ann Marie to the Community Foundation of South Jersey’s Governing Board,” said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “They both bring a wealth of expertise and a shared understanding of how local giving can impact the needs of the South Jersey region.”

Other members of the Governing Board include Chair Joseph Tredinnick (Market President, Republic Bank), Vice Chair Kyle Ruffin (President, K Ruffin & Associates), Treasurer Justin Van Fleet (Partner, Friedman LLC), Secretary T. Christian Rollins (Chief Development Officer, Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice), Joseph C. Atkinson (Principal, PwC LLP), Hon. Raymond A. Batten (Retired) (Of Counsel, Archer), John Connell, Esq. (Partner, Archer), Hon. Alisa Cooper (Commissioner, NJ Casino Control Commission),  Lois Greco (Independent Philanthropy Professional), Rev. Douglas C. Halvorsen (President/CEO, The Evergreens), Wanda Hardy (Managing Principal of WP Hardy Consulting), Mark S. Hodges (Strategic Planning, Quality Management & Organizational Development Consultant), Joseph E. Murphy, Esq. (Certified Ethics and Compliance Professional), and Richelle Todd-Yamoah (Vice President of Programs and Operations, Sykes Foundation).