One Spectacular Spring
 In a word, it's been a whirlwind few weeks here at WRI.
At the top of our news is the success of the 18th Annual Walter & Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner. From the opportunity to publicly applaud two outstanding South Jersey families and a groundbreaking Senator, to the unprecedented support that shattered this year's fundraising goal (thus paving the way for more students to engage in our work next year), we couldn't be more appreciative of our board members, sponsors, honorees, and friends.
A close second is the extensive—and we mean 200-page worthy—Community Health Needs Assessment in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties. Funded by four hospital networks in our region, it is comprehensive, as well as eye-opening, in how we view health needs in South Jersey. The report will be released in coming weeks, with a full event planned for the fall.
June is fast approaching, and we're ready to turn up the volume on Gun Safety and Violence Awareness Month in Cumberland County; in addition to taking big steps forward with our work supporting the County's implementation of CC THRIVE's strategic plan. All of the details, and more, are below.
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Darren Spielman
Executive Director |
Sarah Allred
Faculty Director |
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EVENTS
An Unprecedented Event It was an exciting evening of recognition and celebration on May 2, as WRI hosted the 18th Annual Walter & Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner with more than 165 guests in attendance. Two longtime South Jersey families and a New Jersey Senator were among those honored and a record $71,500 was raised to support WRI's mission and students scholarships. Read more.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Gaining a New Policy Perspective in Germany For several years, Sarah Filippi-Field has been working at WRI to connect her classroom theories with meaningful ways to impact South Jersey. On May 22, she will graduate and leave South Jersey to pursue a master's in public policy at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt in Germany. Sarah promises to return—with a "new lens for understanding" and innovative techniques for some of our toughest regional challenges. Learn more about her inspiring journey.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Gun Safety and Violence Awareness Ramps up in June Two of our boots-on-the-ground initiatives in Cumberland County— CC THRIVE, which focuses on combating gun and gang violence funded through the U.S. Department of Justice, and CCPYDC, a county-wide coalition for developing positive youth supports and good public policy to reduce juvenile delinquency—have announced several new opportunities for local partners and supporters to get involved. These include funding proposals for new programs and a host of activities planned throughout June recognizing Gun Safety and Violence Awareness Month in Cumberland County.
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BOARD UPDATE
Osborne Joins Advisory Board Amy Osborne, vice president and private banker for Republic Bank in Philadelphia and South Jersey, has joined WRI’s Advisory Board. Meet Amy Osborne.
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