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Listening, Providing, Evolving...
 

2020 has been an unparalleled year. The research supports it. Our data confirms it. Collectively, we feel it.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our most vulnerable communities, exposed systemic racial injustices and health inequities, and laid bare our shared responsibility to act.
 
Many in our region have stepped up to meet these extraordinary times with courage, empathy, hope, and conviction. Among them are the leaders, staff, and volunteers from nonprofits who serve families across our community. The past nine months have tested their capacity to meet our families’ needs, and the reality is that they have done more with less and found ways to collaborate and communicate despite an avalanche of obstacles in their path.
 
As researchers engaged in public affairs, we strive to contribute to the knowledge base of real-world issues that are shaping the lives of our citizens and families in southern New Jersey. The following paper was designed, researched, and written over the past few months by the WRI Public Papers Writing Group, a cohort of graduate students and research project staffers with expertise in subject areas including Public Affairs, Psychology, Education, Public Policy, and Public Health. The paper captures the experiences of a cluster of direct service nonprofit organizations working in four counties in southern New Jersey as they adapted to the pandemic. Those interviewed for this paper are on the front lines of this pandemic, and their sentiments reflect what so many nonprofits throughout our region have been facing.
 
We invite you to read this white paper to learn about how direct service nonprofits are facing these challenges. This paper is the first of many to come that will bring to life the work that we are engaged in throughout southern New Jersey.

We always welcome questions, comments, and ideas. Please reach us at wrand@camden.rutgers.edu.

Warmest wishes this holiday season!

Stay safe and social distance,
         
Darren Spielman
Executive Director
Sarah Allred
Faculty Director
   
The paper captures the experiences of a cluster of direct service nonprofit organizations serving individuals and families across four counties in southern New Jersey as they adapted to the pandemic.
WRI 2020
#ICYMI This year we produced our very first WRI video sharing details about how we got started, how far we've come, and what we are looking forward to!
RESEARCH
COVID-19 Daily Tracker WRI plots the progress of COVID-19 across counties in New Jersey. The plots, inspired by those at The New York Times, show deaths (y-axis) on a logarithmic scale over time (x-axis). A logarithmic scale shows different growth rates as lines of different steepness. The page is updated twice per week on Tuesday and Friday at 9 a.m.
RESEARCH
Studying the region's workforce challenges and opportunities WRI is partnering with the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and Cooper’s Ferry Partnership to gather valuable information about the region’s workforce. The project, Seeking Work in South Jersey, aims to better understand the barriers facing both employers looking to hire and job seekers looking to connect or re-connect to the workforce. Learn more.

PARTICIPATION NEEDED:
FOCUS GROUPS TO MEET IN JANUARY

Currently, we are seeking local and regional employers and agencies providing job training and employment services to participate in focus groups. If you would like to participate, please email Devon Ziminski at devon.ziminski@rutgers.edu with contact information.

This is an important opportunity to share opinions about the workforce landscape and employment opportunities in South Jersey, particularly as we collectively experience the challenges of COVID-19.
RESEARCH
New Jersey Population Health Cohort study to begin in 2021 New Jersey's largest health study to date was recently awarded $10 million in funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Rutgers University to explore and study factors that influence health and well-being in New Jersey. The New Jersey Population Health Cohort study will enroll up to 10,000 participants reflecting a broad cross-section of the state’s population, with an emphasis on minority and low-income communities, multigenerational families, and immigrant groups. Beginning in early 2021, researchers plan to recruit and follow participants over time, focusing on factors such as trauma, stress, resilience and cognitive function and collecting survey responses, biometrics, blood samples and data on physical activity using wearable technology. WRI is proud to be part of this effort and will support outreach in the southern part of the state. WRI's Faculty Director Sarah Allred serves on the study's steering committee. Learn more.
WRI in the News
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Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University-Camden, addresses public policy issues impacting southern New Jersey through applied research, community engagement and organizational development.
Our mailing address is:
Senator Walter Rand Institute of Public Affairs
411 Cooper Street,
Camden, New Jersey 08102


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Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs · 411 Cooper Street · Camden, NJ 08102 · USA