South Jersey Dream Center Fast Facts
Why We Exist
According to the last US Census, 1 in 10 people in South Jersey are living in poverty. We exist to help break the vicious cycle of poverty in their lives...from the inside out.
How
We offer people options to change their status quo…from the inside out. To discover their God given purpose and value and empower them to develop their full potential. To become a positive influence in their local communities.
What We Do
We start with helping with food, clothing, baby, household, and hygiene items. Then begins the personal, spiritual, and professional training. We develop the whole person.
Brief History
The South Jersey Dream Center (SJDC) is a familiar place to low income families in Gloucester County and the surrounding communities. Founded in 2010 in Sewell, NJ on a cold November day with a Turkey Giveaway to 30 people, the SJDC has progressively grown into a impactful operation having served over 15,000 people. Today, the SJDC is poised to become one of the largest, full service, one-stop outreaches to low income and struggling families in the region.
The Cycle of Poverty
At the SJDC, material poverty is defined as the lack of money, material possessions, access to wealth, or ability to provide for their basic needs. Over 160,000 people live in material poverty in South Jersey. That’s nearly 12% of the overall population, including 1 out of 6 children. When people don't have the means to provide for themselves or their families...
• There is a loss of purpose and dignity.
• This creates a vicious cycle of poverty—economically, spiritually, and emotionally.
• They are more susceptible to crime, homelessness, domestic violence, a poor education and medical care, substance abuse, unwanted pregnancies, divorce, living in marginal or fragile environments, insecurity, powerlessness, exclusion, and suicide.
• And the cycle continues.
Poverty in New Jersey and South Jersey
10.2% - Current poverty rate in New Jersey
12% - Current poverty rate in South Jersey - 160,000 people
14% - Current poverty rate of children in New Jersey
17% - Current poverty rate of children in South Jersey
8% - Current poverty rate of seniors in New Jersey
$97,000 - Average living expenses for a family of 4 in New Jersey
16.6% - Percentage of New Jersey residents making less than $40,000
According to a report by Hunger Free America, the number of people without enough food over a seven-day period spiked by 89 percent between October 2021 and October 2022.
Data Sources: US Census Bureau, spotlightonpoverty.org, newjerseydemographics.com, Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey, unitedwayALICE.org, Hunger Free America, the Apopka Voice
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Can the cycle of poverty be broken? The answer is a resounding YES. We know that not everyone believes the cycle of poverty can be broken over people’s lives. We also know that not everyone wants help. But for most people entangled in poverty, they simply don't know where to begin or are not aware they have options. Some people were born into poverty, others have recently fallen on hard times. Trying to make ends meet and get through another day is the primary focus. Very few have a plan or hopes for a long-term solution. We want to be a part of that long-term solution.
What Sets Us Apart
There are a multitude of food pantries, thrift shops, and training programs in South Jersey that offer help for low income families, yet the poverty rate in New Jersey has risen from 7.9% in 2000 to 10.2% in 2022. The poorest county in the state is in South Jersey, Cumberland County at 14.6%. We don't claim to be experts in alleviating poverty, but we do know that traditional methods are not working. What sets the SJDC apart from other programs in our region is not so much what we do, but how and why we do it. We help develop and empower the WHOLE person. No other program in South Jersey has this unique combination of providing life's basic necessities with training in a faith-based environment. We recognize that we can't grow another person, but we can give them the equipment to develop themselves. We're not here to rescue or fix people, we're simply here to offer them options to change their status quo...from the inside out. Change that significantly disrupts the seemingly endless cycle of poverty and helps them take steps forward.
What If?...
So, what if the SJDC did not exist? Great question. People would continue to receive handouts instead of a hand up. People would continue to be asked "what do you need?" instead of "what assets do you have?" that can help them become self-sufficient, provide for their own families, and be contributing members of society. The cycle of poverty would continue.
Services We Provide
Basic Necessities - We start by providing healthy food, clothing, and basic household and baby items. Our distribution is set up like a retail store, and our guests “shop” for the items they need, which lessens the stigma and shame of visiting an assistance program. Having food on the table and clothes in the closet frees people up to use their money for other pressing needs, and allows them to focus on their individual well-being. We also know that without offering these basic resources, most people would probably never visit the SJDC, and therefore never know that we nourish people in more ways than just food.
Personal Training - Many of the poor do not act “like everyone else” because of various social conditions that impair their ability to function the same as more advantaged populations. These conditions have a profound impact on what they can achieve or aspire to achieve. Therefore, we offer workshops that help people deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life, such as overcoming addictions, handling grief, financial literacy, problem solving, interpersonal relationships, effective communication, and more.
Spiritual Training - Faith-based education is the key element in helping our guests discover their true God-given value and purpose. Many have allowed their current circumstances to define them, "welfare mom", "addict", and "disabled", and to dictate their future. Many have been told "this is it for you, there is nothing else". We offer Bible Studies that help people unlock their God-given capacity and rise above poverty. By learning of God's unconditional love and grace, people are strengthened from the inside out, and given a sense of worth and honor to build a pathway toward a brighter tomorrow.
Vocational Training - We help people hone in on their unique gifts, talents, and assets that lead to meaningful work and being productive members of their local community. Training that helps people become connected to a community of support, and help them obtain far more than just a job. They learn people skills, social skills, good character and attitudes that enable them to navigate their environment, work well with others, perform well, achieve, and reach their full potential.
Our Impact
• Over 25,000 people living at or below poverty level have received assistance through the South Jersey Dream Center, including veterans, single parents, children, working adults, the unemployed and underemployed.
• Over a three-quarter million pounds of food, clothing, and basic necessities have been donated to/distributed by the SJDC. Donated by individuals, businesses, and through Food, Clothing, and Diaper Drives.
• The SJDC partners with the Center for Family Services Mother-Child Residential in Woodbury, The Hispanic Family Center, Acenda Integrated Health, Gloucester County Senior Nutrition Program, The Shop student food pantry at Rowan University, and various daycares and churches to provide food, clothing, diapers, baby supplies and equipment, and household items for single parents.
• Over 2,000 financial donors, in-kind donors, volunteers, and other constituents are connected to the SJDC, including players and sponsors of the Annual Pickleball Against Poverty Tournament each March.
• Retail and wholesale partners include BJ's, Panera Bread, Albert's Fresh Produce, Flowers Foods, Uptown Bakeries, Wawa, Macy's, Acme, Rastelli Foods, Heritage's Dairy Stores, PIM Brands, Sam’s Club, local schools’ lost and found, and more.
• In 2020, the SJDC received the "Excellence in Community Impact" Award from Acenda Integrated Health's Circle of Impact awards. The Dream Center was also nominated for the 2020 and 2022 Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce.
