A multi-social service agency

Puerto Rican Unity for Progress, Inc.

History

425-427 Broadway

Camden, NJ

Tel. (856) 541-1418

Fax.(856) 541-1476

prup@verizon.net

Founders

Jose A. Vazquez

Angel L. Perez (deceased)

Freddy Felicano (deceased)

Conrado Rodriguez

Angel Pena

Victor Pena

Jose Cabrerra

Hilda Negron

Jesus Torres

Graciano Rodriguez

Bienvenido Alvalle

To contact us:

             Puerto Rican Unity for Progress, Inc. (PRUP) was incorporated in 1976 as a non-profit entity targeting its services to the 14,231 Hispanic residents of Camden, at the time. According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, this population has increased to over 31,000. Several service contracts with the City, County, State, and Federal government have been implemented since. A comprehensive approach to the development of the targeted community was initiated. This approach includes the coordination of services and resources among various Hispanic service providers, as well as, networking efforts with all the service providers in the area. PRUP is the only multi-service agency serving Hispanics of all ages and genders in our area. Although this population represents about 7% of the total Camden County City’s population, Hispanics are known to compose at least 38% of the Camden City’s population. One indicator of the size of the Hispanic segment is the education system, where 35% of the students are of Hispanic origin.

             The fundamental objective of PRUP is to promote the overall advancement of the Hispanic community. The Hispanic sector of the population experiences ethological differences, which in most instances impair effective communication with traditional service structures. PRUP is a center where this population is assisted in procuring the services available within a given community, in a direct or indirect manner. We have addressed the most pressing needs, which are identified as employment, economic for youth intervention and violence and substance abuse prevention as well as, the needs for education/ training for the adult population.

 

Past Programs at PRUP

Many programs have been offered since PRUP’s inception. These include: Case Management, Literacy, Job Readiness, English as a Second Language (ESL), Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) preparation, Computer Training for adults, as well as, youth services to include Youth Computer Literacy, Youth Work Readiness, educational/cultural projects to address school absenteeism, Peacemaker Project, Youth Violence Prevention and Substance Abuse Prevention.

 

On May 1997, PRUP implemented a three-year initiative, Abriendo Nuevos Caminos, a youth violence prevention program targeting the North Camden area. Since then, PRUP has been providing direct services to youth residing in Camden City. Through a collaboration agreement with the Board of Education, PRUP was able to teach a violence prevention curriculum at Pyne Poynt and Rafael Cordero Molina schools.  The violence prevention curriculum (Initiative, Commitment and Empowerment (ICE), which was specifically developed for this program, continues to be utilized by PRUP. It is based on conflict resolution, self-esteem, communication, understanding violence, anger management, dealing with aggression and cultural awareness.  In September 1999, the Juvenile Justice Commission provided PRUP funding for an intensive Youth Leadership Development training. Although our services have been available to all the schools, PRUP has targeted the Pyne Poynt Family School, Rafael Cordero Molina and Cooper’s Poynt School.

 

Seniors Community Service Employment Program: (June 2003) PRUP ,through its affiliate SER National, was awarded a grant to provide low-income seniors in Camden County with transitional training which will lead them to unsubsidized employment. PRUP will be providing services to 146 Camden County low-income seniors.

 

McKinney-Vento Grant (Homeless Prevention)- In collaboration with the Camden Board of Education PRUP obtained a contract to assist families in acquiring stable housing, employment and other services needed in order to reduce homelessness while involving the youth in after school activities such as; Computer Literacy, Youth Work Readiness, Violence Prevention, and Arts/crafts.

 

Welfare to Work is (TANF) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families:  This outreach and recruitment program directed towards the TANF participants to outreach and assist 550 clients in the fulfilling the Welfare to Work requirements in collaboration with the Camden Empowerment Zone.