CAMDEN, NJ – Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Congressman Donald Norcross, Camden County Commissioners Al Dyer and Jonathan Young, the City of Camden Department of Human Services, Camden County Police Department, Center for Family Services and CAMcare Health Corporation will celebrate Camden’s MLK Day of Service by promoting community health through COVID-19 counseling, awareness and prevention.
The City of Camden and its partners will be opening a pop-up community vaccination and testing site on Monday, January, 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the North Camden Community Center Complex (located at 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102), CAMcare will be administering free first and second dose COVID-19 vaccines in addition to third dose booster shots. Â The Center for Family Services will also be on-site offering crisis counseling and mental health resources to those impacted as a result of the pandemic. Elected officials and partner agencies will be available to media at 10:30 a.m.
Widely recognized as “MLK Day” or “MLK Day of Service”, this federal holiday was first observed in 1986. The holiday honors Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the principals demonstrated in the civil rights movement for equality. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.
“Camden’s MLK Day of Service allows residents, businesses, stakeholders, faith-based organizations and community leaders to come together to find solutions to improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen. “Due to the pandemic we can’t gather like we ordinarily do on MLK Day. We must find other ways to honor Dr. King. Camden and other communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. That’s why I pushed to get more than 70% of our resident vaccinated. So let’s continue to get vaccinated because it saves lives. Do it for yourself, your kids, neighbors, co-workers, family, and those who are the most vulnerable in our community.”
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left a powerful legacy to American citizens, and on MLK Day of Service we honor that legacy by serving others as he did,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “We are living in tough times. The pandemic has cost us dearly, but if we can take one lesson from Dr. King – it’s not giving up. I applaud Mayor Carstarphen and our community partners who continue to put the health of our community first. We must always look out for one another, and fight for the right for each of us to live healthy and dignified lives.”
“Not only will people be able to receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is critically important at this point in the pandemic, but there will also be other resources available for residents,” Commissioner Al Dyer said. “Seeing as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is meant to be spent giving back to your community, what better way to do so than giving people resources that can improve and protect their physical and mental health. We believe this is best and biggest impact we can have on the community and the most vital service to provide right now as we live through this latest viral surge.”
“This pandemic has taken an immense physical and mental toll on everyone, especially communities of color,” Commissioner Jon Young said. “Having vaccines, testing and mental health services included in our one-day clinic will allow our most vulnerable residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from the adverse effects of COVID-19 and to access resources to help them cope with the instability of the last 24 months.”
This is a temporary one-day or pop-up location, offering both drive-up testing and walk-in vaccination services. Individuals are asked to present identification, bring vaccination cards (if applicable) and everyone must wear face coverings and maintain social distance at all times. For more information about this event, contact the Mayor’s Office at 856-757-7200.
WHO: Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Congressman Donald Norcross, Camden County Commissioners Al Dyer and Jonathan Young, the City of Camden Department of Human Services, Camden County Police Department, Center for Family Services and CAMcare Health Corporation.
WHAT: Free COVID-19 vaccines and testing with on-site crisis counseling and mental health resources.
WHEN: Monday, January 17, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(Media Availability at 10:30 a.m.)
WHERE: North Camden Community Center
(located at 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102)
