HomeNewsVoorhees NewsMayor's Message: Citizens Cultural and Diversity Advisory Committee

Mayor’s Message: Citizens Cultural and Diversity Advisory Committee

Voorhees Township was the first community in South Jersey to establish such a group

We should acknowledge our differences, embrace our differences and celebrate our differences until differences make no difference at all.

Thirteen years ago, the Voorhees Township Committee established the Citizens Cultural and Diversity Advisory Committee to recognize and promote racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, language, gender and cultural diversity in our community. We were the first community in South Jersey to establish such an important group.

The Diversity Committee fosters human relations through education and encouragement of respect and understanding among the diverse population of Voorhees Township. The Committee provides an opportunity for input from all residents in developing programs leading to greater understanding and values of our diverse community. Diversity means understanding and utilizing different views, ideas, life experiences, skills and knowledge. By recognizing diversity, we are laying the foundation for a municipality that aspires to accurately represent the communities we serve.

Diversity is more than race, ability, sexual orientation, language, gender or any other descriptive category. We must value diversity by actively identifying and addressing systemic barriers in our business practices, services, policies, procedures, and programs, so that we can capitalize on the strengths and talents of our community.

The Diversity Committee members have also been passionate volunteers of their time in our community. They have provided scholarships to students from Eastern Regional High School and the Voorhees Middle School who have shown their commitment to diversity and multiculturalism.

The Diversity Committee also represents Voorhees at various cultural events throughout Camden County, including the Cultural Festival at the Open Door Alliance Church, the Filipino Independence Day Picnic and the Still Family Reunion in Lawnside.

Our Diversity Committee meets the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall and the public is welcome to attend. For more information visit, www.voorheesnj.com.

Voorhees is fortunate to be a “melting pot” of many races and cultures.

** The Voorhees Township Committee is proud to honor the Class of 2020 with a graduation mural located on the wall adjacent to the square in front of Town Hall. This beautiful piece of art was created by the Voorhees Arts Council and funded through private donations to the Voorhees Citizens Event Foundation. We are inviting graduates of all levels of school to visit the mural and take pictures to help memorialize this special time in their lives. Please respect social distancing guidelines as you celebrate with your graduate. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

** Due to COVID-19, kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year will not be in person and will take place on-line. Any child who will turn five years of age on or before October 1, 2020 is eligible for kindergarten admission in September 2020. You must complete the pre-registration application at https://genesis.voorhees.k12.us/genesis/openReg. A staff member will contact you for additional information after the pre-registration is complete. For more information, visit https://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us.

** The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Thursday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Voorhees Town Center in the court below Town Hall. Donations are by appointment only. To schedule, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Be a hero and donate.

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