Wells Fargo Regional Foundation Awards Largest Grant in its History

On May 4, 2018

Parkside Business & Community In Partnership, Inc., a non-profit community development corporation working in the Parkside neighborhood of Camden, has been awarded a five-year, $1.25 million grant by the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation to support a collaborative revitalization initiative in the Parkside Neighborhood.  The investment represents the largest grant in the history of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation.

The grant will support initiatives arising from PBCIP’s neighborhood planning effort, a 10 month, resident-driven project that resulted in a comprehensive strategic plan for transformative neighborhood change. The implementation phase being funded by Wells Fargo includes concrete steps toward accomplishing success in commercial development, housing, education, neighborhood services and health & active living initiatives.

“PBCIP has been leading the revitalization of the Parkside neighborhood for over a decade,” said Denise McGregor Armbrister, Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation.  “It’s been a privilege to partner with them and the residents of the neighborhood as they continue to build towards their vision.  We are excited about the many collaborative partners who have come to the table to take this work to the next level.”

PBCIP’s implementation project represents the community’s continued attempt to bring transformative impact to a city that has been pervaded by poverty and blight for more than a generation. Residents and stakeholders, guided by PBCIP and its consultants, have set forth goals and action steps that address comprehensive community and economic development strategies.  These strategies include making improvements to the Haddon Ave streetscape, advancing housing conditions, creating a vibrant business corridor with stronger retail shops and new community based entrepreneurs filling real estate vacancies and providing jobs for residents, providing greater access to healthy foods and training in technology focused industries as a means to empower youth for productive career opportunities.

With support from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, PBCIP established the “Parkside Collaborative”.   The Collaborative converges a unique team of organizations – Camden County Historical Society, Hope Works of Camden, LAEDA (Latin American Economic Development Association), NJ Conservation Foundation and (at the helm) PBCIP – unified to implement programs and strategies aimed at creating a flourishing Parkside neighborhood over the next 5 years.

“The Parkside neighborhood is a neighborhood that is rich in history and a true sense of community among its residents,” said Bridget Phifer, Executive Director of Parkside Business and Communities in Partnership. “Through the Better Together Parkside initiative, we are bringing the key stakeholders who have a vested interest in the success of this neighborhood to the table to help execute the residents’ vision for the future.”

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