Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County, RCSJ and Foundation Partner to Expand College and Career Opportunities
Photo of Carlos Mercado courtesy of Cumberland County Democratic Organization.
AC JosepH Media
VINELAND – Carlos Mercado, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland County, said that a new agreement between the youth organization and Rowan College of South Jersey and its foundation will expand opportunities to explore new college and career pathways.
The announcement this week will open pathways to college readiness, mentorship, career exploration, and potential scholarship and tuition assistance for local youth.
The partnership, celebrated during a signing ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Guaracini Center on RCSJ’s Cumberland Campus, establishes a framework for connecting Club members with educational resources, experiences, and support to help them prepare for their futures.
“This partnership is about much more than what’s written on paper,” Mercado said about the Memorandum of Understanding with RCSJ and the RCSJ Foundation. “It’s about opening doors and showing our kids that their future can be filled with possibilities.”
Through the agreement, eligible Club members may receive scholarship and tuition assistance, access to college facilities, campus visits, mentorship, educational workshops, and workforce development opportunities. The collaboration supports exploration of higher education, technical training, and career pathways.
By introducing young people to a college environment and connecting them with mentors and educational resources, the partnership aims to help Club members build confidence, discover their interests, and understand the options available to them after high school.
The agreement builds on the relationship between the organizations and creates additional opportunities for internships and community engagement. It reflects their shared commitment to expanding access to education and helping Cumberland County residents succeed.
During the ceremony, Dr. Brenden Rickards, President and Chief Academic Officer of RCSJ, emphasized the alignment between the College’s mission and that of the Boys & Girls Clubs. His remarks highlighted the importance of helping young people recognize available opportunities, feel a sense of belonging in a college setting, and access support as they pursue their goals.
Cody Miller, RCSJ’s Executive Director of Advancement & Foundation, served as master of ceremonies. Mercado thanked the College, the Foundation, and those who helped develop the partnership for their commitment to the young people the Club serves.
Opportunities under the agreement remain subject to eligibility requirements, available staffing, funding, facilities, and existing College programs.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County, visit www.bgccumberland.org or call (856) 696-4190.
Follow Us Today On:
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. You can reach Editor Clyde Hughes at chughes@acjosephmedia.com. Thank you for reading!
About Author
