RCSJ and Boys & Girls Club Partnership Expands Educational Opportunities for Cumberland County Youth

Vineland – Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) hosted a partnership signing ceremony between RCSJ, the Rowan College of South Jersey Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland County (BGCCC) on Wednesday, October 21, at 12 p.m. in the Guaracini Center Lounge. This new partnership will expand pathways for Cumberland County's local youth through scholarship support, mentorship, career exploration, and college-readiness efforts.

BGCCC is a youth development organization located in Cumberland County that provides youth, ages 5 – 18, with after-school programs for healthy lifestyles, academics, community service, and recreational activities. Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

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Carlos Mercado, chief executive officer of BGCCC, conveyed the importance of community collaboration. "This partnership is much more than what's written on paper – it's about opening doors and showing our kids that their future can be filled with possibilities. I also believe that no organization can do it alone. It takes partnerships like this to truly make a difference."

Mercado continued, "On behalf of our board of directors, our staff, and most importantly, the young people we serve, we thank you for believing in our mission and investing in our futures. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with RCSJ."

The partnership also supports the college's mission to advance educational opportunities and student success. Brenden Rickards, president of RCSJ, shared how the goals of BGCCC and RCSJ are aligned.

"The Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland County and Rowan College of South Jersey share a common mission: creating opportunities that transform lives. Together, we're investing in our community, empowering future leaders, and helping individuals develop the skills, character, and confidence needed to become engaged citizens and make a lasting impact where they live and work."

RCSJ has played a leading role in helping area youth transition to postsecondary education. Its Collegiate High School has provided hundreds of students with a pathway to academic success. Students can earn a few college credits that can count toward an associate degree or transfer credits to other institutions, all before graduating high school.

Additionally, RCSJ's GEAR UP partners with Bridgeton City public schools, supporting students from middle school through their first year of college as they explore, prepare for, and navigate postsecondary education.

This new BGCCC partnership will further expand educational pathways for Cumberland County youth by providing tuition assistance and scholarship support for up to 10 eligible Boys & Girls Club members annually.

Cody Miller, executive director of the RCSJ Foundation, explained how this partnership addresses barriers to education that some students may face.

"Not every student knows what resources and programs are available to help them continue their education, whether that's financial aid, grants, or scholarship support while working toward a certification, associate degree, or bachelor's degree. With this partnership, we're not only offering scholarship support to students who want to enroll at RCSJ, but we're also connecting them with the resources they need to help them afford whatever path they may choose."

For more information about scholarships and campus initiatives, visit RCSJ.edu/Foundation.