"The work done by the Camden OEO has benefited thousands of South Jersey residents and the community as a whole. I thank executive director Arnold Byrd for his years of leadership and vision to help make the City of Camden a better place to live and work," said Rep. Andrews. "

Camden County Council On Economic Opportunity, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, Community Action Agency (CAP) that has served low-income individuals and families in Camden County since 1965. Its dual purpose is to arrange for or provide material assistance that gives immediate relief to low-income persons in emergency circumstances and to provide programs and services designed to help clients achieve self-sufficiency. During the past thirty-six (36) years, the budget of Camden County OEO has grown from approximately $500,000 to over $26,000,000 per year. Rep. Andrews has been an ardent supporter of this agency led by its Executive Director, Mr. Arnold N. Byrd. Congressman Andrews has worked with this agency to help them obtain federal funding to finance much of this organization's work and he continues to work to identify new sources of funding to help them continue their mission.

As part of an entire day devoted to promoting the revitalization of Camden, Rep. Andrews addressed the graduates of the Creative Arts High School in Camden on the importance of making a difference in their community. The Congressman told the students that they represent the future of Camden and commended them on the successes they have achieved thus far. He challenged these students to continue these successes by continuing to excel in their academic careers so that they can return to this area to help to improve their community.

"These young men and women represent the best the city has to offer and will serve as the future leaders of government and business within this community," said Rep. Andrews. "Their youth, vitality and knowledge will be a driving force in their continued success and toward the revitalization of this city."

Rep. Andrews next visited the Fairview Square neighborhood in the city to commend the Fairview Mainstreet Program and its Executive Director, Sue Brennan, for their outstanding work to revitalize this neighborhood. Rep. Andrews was responsible for assisting the organization in obtaining the funding necessary to finance this redevelopment project. He is currently working with the Fairview Mainstreet Program to develop more greenspace areas within the City of Camden.

"The revitalization of Camden will occur street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. Already we have witness sweeping positive change throughout many areas of the city," said Rep. Andrews. "Fairview Square is a gleaming example of this positive change and I am so proud of the work Sue Brennan and her staff have accomplished to improve the quality of life is this area of the city."

Rep. Andrews concluded his day by commending Mayor Faison and the City of Camden City of Camden for their work to obtain a Brownfields Job Training Grant by the Environmental Protection Agency. The grant will enable the city to provide job training for residents of communities affected by brownfields to prepare them for employment in the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites. Brownfields are abandoned or underutilized properties whose reuse potential is complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination. The $200,000 grant has been awarded to the Camden Division of Planning, which will enable them to train approximately 50 students.

"This is a win-win for the community," said Rep. Andrews. "The EPA grant will help to provide city residents with the training necessary to work in this skilled profession. Additionally, the grant, in conjunction with the EPA's Brownfields Program, will help empower city residents to clean up hazardous parcels of land to make them viable sites for future businesses to help rejuvenate the City."