Camden Education Fund Grants Schools $1.23 Million to Better Support Students with Disabilities

CAMDEN, NJ –  Online learning was a challenge for most students throughout Camden, but particularly so for students with disabilities, who make up 18% of the city’s student body, according to the Camden Education Fund.

To help the schools better support their disabled students, the Camden Education Fund has awarded $1.23 million in grants to the Camden City School District, Camden’s Promise Charter School, LEAP Academy, Uncommon Camden Prep and KIPP Cooper Norcross.

“We wanted to make sure that support for students with disabilities remained a top priority,” said Naeha Dean, CEF’s executive director. “Many of the services these students receive are difficult to provide via virtual learning, so it was especially important to us that we give schools additional resources and support.”

All had to apply for the grant with a specific plan it wanted to implement, Dean said. CEF will follow up with each recipient to ensure the funds are used properly.

"It is not often that philanthropic opportunities arise specifically for supporting students with disabilities,” CCSD Superintendent Katrina McCombs said in a release. “I am grateful for this support from Camden Education Fund.  It will take us, as a city, one step closer to our goal of equity for all children.”