People for People started in 2003 as a simple one year Mullica Hill Rotary Club project
Press release issued by the People for People Foundation
People for People started in 2003 as a simple one year Mullica Hill Rotary Club project. The goal was to assist 12 normally self-sufficient families in different ways that were experiencing a difficult time in their lives. To be able to do so the Rotary Club held fundraisers and sought small donations from the business community. However, when word of the project went public, the club was overwhelmed with calls for help.
In the first year the club provided assistance to over 200 individuals and families for items such as food, clothing, medications, rent, utilities and other life essential items. The project received so many calls for help that it was decided to set up a 501 c 3 foundation to allow us to seek funds and assistance to help many others.
The name People for People was chosen. For the first six years it was run by Bernadette and Paul Blackstock out of their home. In 2009 the work involved became so overwhelming that the Blackstocks decided to make it their mission and left their insurance agency and went to work full time with People for People. Bernadette became the paid President and CEO and Paul became the unpaid volunteer Chairman.
Since 2003 People for People has assisted and had a positive impact on the lives of over 17,000 individuals and families. They also developed a strong collaboration with hundreds of other help providers and agencies in the area and has become the resource center for many others. In 2012 they developed their own “Resource Directory” with over 2500 resources that has been described as one of the best directories in the region.
People for People has also developed a relationship with a low to moderate income housing developer and offer social services, life skills training and case management to over 500 individuals and families.
People for People is also a “Veteran Preference” organization that holds an annual VETS PICNIC that draws over 1000 people every year as well as the founders of the “Wreaths of Remembrance” program that has laid over 15,000 wreaths at the gravesites at the Gloucester County Veteran Memorial Cemetery.
This month People for People opened Camp Salute, an affordable housing development for low to moderate income people with a veteran preference. It will also house the South Jersey Veteran Resource Center run by highly trained staff. Camp Salute will be the first of its kind in the country combining permanent housing with full supportive veteran services and life skill training.
Go to pfpfoundation.org for more information.
