Anti-Poverty Network of NJ – Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Anti-Poverty Network Job Announcement – Executive Director

The Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey (APN) is seeking qualified applicants for the role of Executive Director.

Founded in December 1999, APN is a diverse and growing network focused on preventing, reducing, and ending poverty in New Jersey. APN is a state-wide membership organization with both organizational and individual members. APN is seeking a dynamic individual to serve as its Executive Director. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate interpersonal, organizational and management skills. A background in non-profit operations and familiarity with poverty related issues is strongly preferred.

In order to meet the mission of the APN, the Executive Director will provide leadership, and help to organize and monitor all aspects of APN initiatives and activities. The Executive Director will also identify and implement enhancements to fund development, membership, awareness, surveys, advocacy and the overall brand/image.

This is a 30 hour a week position, with potential for additional hours. Bachelor’s degree and related experience required, Master’s degree preferred. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of, and a passion for poverty reduction. A competitive salary, generous paid time off and health insurance stipend are offered.

A cover letter highlighting how the candidate’s experience, skill and vision would further the mission of APN, and a resume, should be sent to: jcampbell@antipovertynetwork.org.

APN is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

This job announcement is also available on the APN website.

A full job description is available on APN’s website at http://www.antipovertynetwork.org/resources/Documents/APN%20ED%20Job%20Description%20.pdf.

Feel free to share the job description and job description with your network.

Heat and Eat Program, Part II

A number of articles have appeared in the past few weeks and months, written by various advocacy groups on the ‘Heat and Eat’ issue. Together, they provide a compelling story about new, threatened safety net cuts for New Jersey families. Selected articles are:

Overburdened NJ Food Pantries Challenged To Feed More Hungry Clients by Hank Kalet, July 7, 2014
NJFA Supports Heat and Eat from the New Jersey Foundation for Aging, June 27, 2014
Heat & Eat Legislation Passed with Bi-Partisan Support, from the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey, June 26, 2014
Four Reasons New Jersey Should Maintain its ‘Heat and Eat’ Program Times of Trenton Op-Ed by Raymond Castro, May 26, 2014
Heat and Eat: State Responses to the Changed Federal Law, Food Research and Action Center, March 21, 2014
How to Avoid Food Stamp Cuts to 160,000 New Jersey Households NJ Spotlight Op-Ed by Raymond Castro, March 12, 2014

The bill now awaits action by Governor Christie.

Environmental Christmas List

For the past year or more there has been a renewed sense of purpose in my household. Perhaps it had something to do with the presidential election, the odd weather, or a change in food habits. Put them all together and I have a list of wishes for the coming year.
1. Buy local.
2. Raise awareness of climate change, previously known as global warming.
3. Support for family farmers.
4. Reduction in the cost of organic food.
5. Reduction in the influence of the special interests – nationally, state, even local.
6. Elimination of poverty.
7. Support for mass transit.
8. Energy independence. A positive approach includes solar and wind power, energy conservation. Not “drill, baby, drill”.
9. Green power.
10. A continuation of the efforts started by Occupy Wall Street.
11. Making CSA a household name.
12. Parks available for all children.

Suggested reading material
1. Why Buy Locally Owned?
2. Climate Change and Global Warming
Chasing Ice documentary film
3. Family Farms, why family farms important
Farm Aid, more than just an annual concert
4. Why is organic food more expensive than conventional food?, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
10 reasons organic food is so expensive, Fox News/The Daily Meal
5. Center for Responsive Politics
U.S. PIRG
6. Half in Ten
Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey
7. PublicTransportation.org
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
8. National Center for Appropriate Technology
9. Energy Savers Guide, U.S. Department of Energy
New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, Office of Clean Energy
10. Occupy Wall Street
11. CSA = Community Supported Agriculture. CSA – LocalHarvest
Bloomfield-Montclair CSA
12. How Cities Use Parks to Help Children Learn