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Success Stories

Success Stories

When provided with life's essentials, a safe place to live, a strong support system, access to services, the opportunities for success are limitless. At Center For Family Services we are proud to celebrate the success of those we serve.

Because of you, the future is bright for the individuals and families highlighted in these success stories. Join us in celebrating their achievements.

Video Success Stories

Leading By Example "It's been a long journey to get to where I am today," reflects Della, resident of Center For Family Services. "I've been tested a lot and in turn, learned a lot about myself." Della stayed focused and pursued her dreams.

A Lifelong Friendship The strength of DaQuan and Tyrone's relationship is remarkable. It is one full of trust, mutual respect, and ultimately friendship.

Success Stories

A Bright Future As a young girl, Doniqua Burton had aspirations to be a pediatrician. She always had a desire to help people. But at the age of 16, Doniqua was the one who needed help. Doniqua found herself with a...

A Family Reunited Like so many people struggling with addiction, Shannon didn’t think she had a problem. “I liked the release I felt from the moment I had my first sip of alcohol but I didn’t realize I had an...

A Lifelong Friendship The strength of DaQuan and Tyrone’s relationship is remarkable. It is one full of trust, mutual respect, and ultimately, of friendship. It is the result of mentoring at its very best. “I became a...

A Passion Reignited Displaced from school for several months, Dariana yearned for the opportunity to resume her education. Her chance would come in the form of the program Camden Corps Plus. While attending an open...

A Path to Self Discovery “I was a kid with a lot of anger,” recalls 17 year old Luis Castro of Pennsauken, “I almost hurt someone I really cared about, that’s when I knew I needed help.” In the spring of 2014 with the help...

A Path to Success Michael Evans is determined. Life has thrown a series of curveballs his way and each time he’s bounced back stronger and smarter than before. Now, thanks to you, he’s on a successful career path....

A Pathway to Positivity Feeling that the lack of a high school diploma was the only thing holding her back, Shante was ready to create a successful path for herself. Upon hearing great things about Camden Corps Plus, a...

A Pillar of Perseverance Throughout her life, Paige Prado of Camden experienced a number of challenges that caused her to struggle to stay on a positive path. After realizing the effect the challenges were having on her...

A Recovery of Self September 24, 2012 was the beginning of the rest of Monica St Maur’s life.It was on this day she realized the toll her 15 year addiction to crack cocaine was taking on her life. “I pictured my...

A Resilient Leader 16 year old Tiara had come to a crossroad in her life Tiara’s childhood and early teen years were filled with many difficulties and this affected her outlook on life and her ability to envision a...

A Shining Example While enrolled in Adult Basic Skills Classes at Camden County College, Anthony was encouraged by a teacher to learn more about the Camden Corps Plus program. Recognizing Anthony’s work ethic, as well...

A Vision of Hope Melva Conquest of Camden City has lived through it all. Prison. Addiction. The loss of not one, but two children as a result of gun violence. “I didn’t know how to cope,” recalls Melva. “I...

Aiming to Inspire Participating in a Volunteers of America job readiness program, called “Face Forward,” 19 year-old Camden resident ZaQuan “Snupe” Smith, was seeking the opportunity to better himself and continue his...

An Awakening to Recovery There isn’t a typical story of addiction and recovery, and Neo Kent’s journey is no exception. Neo calls his recovery “an awakening” that’s come in stages. As a former drug dealer, he was exposed to...

Baby's Best Start Nekeisha, a 29 year old mother of two was overwhelmed fulfilling her role as a hard-working, single mom. But in the Spring of 2012, while pregnant with her third child, Nekeisha found the support she...

Bright Futures Ahead Claira refused to be defeated by her past. Prior to coming to Center For Family Services she faced several challenges. Low self-esteem. No self-worth. A violent relationship. “For the health of my...

Building A Strong Foundation for Family Millisha was determined to provide for her family and be a positive role model for her three children. As a young mother without any work experience, the Center’s Camden County TANF Initiative for...

Building Bright Futures At 18, Allessandra found herself desperate for a safe place she could call home. “I was walking the streets late at night going to and from work. I didn’t feel safe after a certain time but I had no...

Determined to Succeed Originally enrolled in a GED program at Camden County College (CCC), Yaneli, 24 years old, received news that a new initiative was taking place in Camden City. After gaining more information on...

Determined to Succeed Jimmy Moody is a natural leader. He is determined to succeed and to help others succeed. Following high school graduation, Jimmy was excited to pursue a degree in sociology. He enrolled in West...

Discovering the Power Within Being a product of your environment is not always a bad thing. Jaleel Carson grew up in Camden, and as a young kid witnessed first-hand the daily distresses many people experience in underserved...

Dreams Achieved “I never had a lot growing up,” says Tyisha, a graduate of Center For Family Services. “I craved independence and success, but knew I had to work hard to achieve them.” Tyisha's early life was a...

Embracing the Challenge Elijah Perry, 23 years old, found himself in the same position that many young people find themselves today—searching for meaningful employment. With support and guidance from counselors at Center...

Envisioning Success Antwan Ford knew that the road on which he was traveling would ultimately lead him to one of two destinations. Neither of which had a positive outcome. Antwan learned as early as age 15 how to...

Family Support Center As a teenager, 13-year old Mariah Hainsworth had difficulty expressing herself and shied away from interactions with other youth her age. “Mariah was very shy. She was never active in anything in...

Finding Strength in Adversity Monica faced some difficulties as a child, and during her teen years she made several bad choices which left her with few options. The 16 year old brunette from Long Branch was faced with either...

Finding the Inner Strength to Succeed Ashley’s childhood was full of love. Her parents were supportive; her brothers protected and cared for her. Her home was safe and offered an environment to grow and thrive in. However, life is...

Focused on Community Meet Toya Teresa Walker of Camden, NJ. She’s currently employed as a Neighborhood Ally at Center For Family Services, and it’s a position that speaks to her passion for purpose. She loves being...

Focused on the Future Qualikah “Leekah” Colvin was struggling. The ambitious and bright 17 year old was being negatively influenced by her peers and finding herself in trouble with the police. After a series of missteps...

From Good to Great Darnell Shakes and Sherri, his wife of eight years, pride themselves on being good parents. The couple has successfully raised two elementary school aged boys and are now in the early stages of...

Hope and Healing “My experience with the SERV program has helped me to realize that I can overcome my domestic violence and sexual assault issues. I know that one day I’ll be able to say 'I am a survivor' instead of...

Instilling Values and Hope Depressed. Worried. Angry. Confused. These are the words Bahiyyah used to describe herself before Center For Family Services Family CONNECT program came into her life. “I not only lost my job but...

Keys To Success Tyysheema ‘Ty’ Mason is motivated. The 26 year old resident of Center For Family Services’ Camden DREAMS program is not only getting ready to graduate from the program this winter, she just completed...

Leading by Example “It’s been a long journey to get to where I am today,” reflects Della, resident of Center For Family Services. “I’ve been tested a lot and in turn, learned a lot about myself.” Throughout Della’s...

Motivated by Motherhood The sounds of love and joy were evident in Egypt Thompson’s voice. It could only be muffled by the coos of her six month old daughter Cleo. She was a new mom devoted to her baby girl. “Cleo keeps me...

Once a Victim; Now a Survivor Elly has battled many demons in her life, including addiction, but none has affected her like the evening she became a victim of sexual violence. “I kept thinking ‘this is going to happen, do what he...

Opportunities Ceased Miguel had the drive to become successful but he continued to hit roadblocks along the way. His troubles seemed to have a domino effect on his life, when one thing went bad, everything went bad. “It...

Painting a Bright Future Drue was enrolled in an Adult Basic Skills class at Camden County College when staff approached him about Camden Corps Plus, a Center for Family Services and Rutgers University – Camden collaboration...

Paying It Forward Families are the keystone of our continuum of care at Center For Family Services. We strive to keep families together, reunite them, and make them stronger, healthier, and more independent through...

Ready for the Future After graduating from Camden Academy Charter High School in 2015, Shaneka Dixon held down several jobs at places like Target and Panera Bread, but she wanted more stability. When she became a mother...

Recovery Works Long-term recovery doesn’t happen easily, but that doesn’t mean recovery isn’t possible with time. Miranda McDermott had a difficult time maintaining recovery until something changed in August 2017...

Restoring Confidence “My children were able to see the good in people and learn that people genuinely care about you. Everyone at Differential Response did their best to get my family back on our feet and on a...

Road to Recovery For more than 20 years, Center For Family Services’ Recovery Network for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing Loss program has provided help to members of the deaf community throughout the state of New...

STEP Success Story “My life was a mess. I was lost,” reflects 18 year old Bella. “I was caught up in my ways and was got into trouble.” Bella was connected to Center For Family Services supportive workplace mentoring...

Taking the Lead As an Assistant Crew Leader of PowerCorps Camden, an AmeriCorps program in partnership with the City of Camden, Office of the Mayor, Jaleel Williford played a large role in ensuring that the...

The Promise of a Better Life The decade of abuse from her husband was starting to take a toll on Rebecca and her two children, Joe and Sarah. For years Rebecca did as she was commanded to do. She became a prisoner in her own...

The Sky is the Limit Seeking the chance to bolster her resume and essentially reposition herself, Faith Monroe, 21 years old, heeded the advice of her caseworker, and enrolled in Camden Corps Plus. The initiative, led by...

We All Have a Voice Kaysie's time at Center For Family Services was a stepping stone on her path to a positive future. “I never thought I’d have my own place,” recalls Kaysie,“ August 2nd, 2010 is a day I will never...

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