Camden Dream Center    Vision to See, Courage to be ...

Sandra Sims-Foster has served the Camden City School District for 30 years until her retirement in May 2014. She has worked in the capacity of teacher for 13 years, a Vice Principal for 5 years, and a Principal for 12 years. 

Ms. Sims-Foster additionally is a Private Consultant for the NJ Leaders To Leaders Program which enables new Administrators to obtain their permanent Certification in the field of education. Ms.Sims-Foster has proudly accepted the challenge in becoming the New Project Director of the Camden Dream Center Freedom School for the Summer of 2015. Ms. Sims-Foster is the proud mother of Dr. Daniel Foster, Gabrielle Foster and Korinne Foster.
Tamara Martin, an experienced administrator of youth programs and student at 
Rowan University, wher she is pursuing a degree in Social Work.  She has a huge 
heart and passion for youth, especially in her home town - Camden.  She is a 
Camden High School graduate and fully understands the challeneges children
encounter living in Camden.  Tamara has directed her churches youth program 
for 8 years wher it continues to grow in social impact.  
Tamara supervises 5 Servant Leader Interns on a daily basis.
Tamara Martin, an experienced administrator of youth programs and student at 
Rowan University, wher she is pursuing a degree in Social Work.  She has a huge 
heart and passion for youth, especially in her home town - Camden.  She is a 
Camden High School graduate and fully understands the challeneges children
encounter living in Camden.  Tamara has directed her churches youth program 
for 8 years wher it continues to grow in social impact.  
Tamara supervises 5 Servant Leader Interns on a daily basis.
Tamara Martin is an experienced administrator of youth programs in the City of Camden. Tamara is pursuing a degree in social work at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. She has a huge heart for children and an unmatched passion for youth from under-served communities. She is a graduate of Camden High School, and fully understands the challenges children face coming up in Camden. For nearly 9 years she has directed similar programs at her local church in Camden, Evangelism Today Christian Church.  As Camden Dream CDF Freedom School's site supervisor, she brings unique skills and experience that ensures the success of the program. 
Tinishia Bass has worked with the Children’s Defense Fund for the past 13 years and has served in various capacities from a Servant Leader Intern with it's Freedom Schools all the way up to a national consultant/trainer and a curriculum writer/facilitator for CDF's Youth Advocate Leadership Training Dept. She is also an Army Veteran, has studied as a PALS Scholar at Columbia University in NY and a graduate of Rutgers-Camden. Tinishia is currently finishing up her MA at Rutgers and is pursuing a PhD in Social Psychology. She  is on the executive team at the Camden Dream CDF Freedom School.
ddddDaniel Pennisi is from Collingswood, New Jersey. 
ands is a graduate from Collingswood High School 
,and currently is attending Cedarville University in 
Cedarville Ohio.  Dan is entering his senior year and 
studying Multi-age Physical Education and Health. 
His interest are sports, traveling, and seeking to go on 
different adventures. 

His main goal in life is to be a Man of God that he’s 
been called to be, and try to impact people for good
daily.
Daniel Pennisi is from neighboring Collingswood, New Jersey, and is a graduate from Collingswood High School. He attends Cedarville University in Cedarville Ohio. 
Dan is entering his senior year and is studying Multi-age Physical Education and Health. His interests are sports, traveling, and seeking a variety of adventures. His main goal in life is to be a Man of God!  He recognizes the call that is upon his life to serve. 

Raven Davis is going into her junior year at Cheyney University. She is an Early Childhood and Special Education major hoping to make a difference in children's lives from pre-k to 4th grade. She serves as the Vice President for the Cheyney Chapter NAACP after having helped reconstitute the chapter. She served six months in the U.S. Air Force before being honorably discharged for an injury sustained by vigorous physical activity. Raven has tutored children at after school programs and volunteered at a daycare for the last five years during the school year doing student teaching.

Tayler is a student at Montclair State University where she is majoring in Sociology and minoring in child advocacy. When Tayler isn’t busy with school work she likes singing, taking photos, being involved with ministry, and reading. Although, this is her 1st year at Camden Dream CDF Freedom School, she has participated in numerous community-based activities. During her college experience. She has worked with well-known organizations such as Communities in Cooperation INC and Sisters of Hope. She’ll receive her bachelors next May and plans to pursue a career with helping people in need.

Veronica Lopez is a dual major at Rowan University studying biological sciences & Subject matter education. She is going into her senior year, and her goal after graduation is to teach middle school or high school level science classes.

Keith is a student at Rowan University majoring in English and Education with plans of pursuing his master's in business administration. During his down time he likes listening to music, reading, working, and volunteering. He actively participates and volunteers at several faith based, outreach, and educational programs including CDF Freedom Schools. He aspires to combine his love for education, business, and volunteering by improving the lives of others through educational and economical change. 
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1000 Atlantic Avenue (Virtua Healthcare Complex), Camden, New Jersey

Literacy Statistics

Low-income children typically lose 2-3 months of learning during the summer. But 90% of children gain or maintain reading ability during Freedom School. 

Literacy is the gateway skill that students need to be successful in school; low literacy levels translate into poor grades, grade repetition, and eventual disengagement from school.


Strategy to lower high school dropout rate, and improve post-secondary education experience. 


Camden Dream Center and the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) share core mission-critical objectives: to serve children and young adults in communities where quality academic enrichment programming is limited, cost-prohibitive, or non-existent. Camden Dream Center in partnership with Camden School District, Rutgers University, Education Testing Services (ETS), and Cisco Networking Academy will open the first CDF Freedom Schools â program in Camden, New Jersey.

 

CDF Freedom Schools â program enhances children’s motivation to read and generates positive attitudes toward learning, while connecting the needs of children and families to appropriate resources in their communities.