Careers
Newsletter
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter
Cropped Ccpfav.jpg

The City of Camden, Camden County and Camden Community Partnership Unveil 2024 Connect the Lots Schedule

Season is Packed Full of Family-Friendly Events Celebrating Arts, Music, Culture and More Throughout the City of Camden

Camden, NJ – Today, the City of Camden, Camden County, and Camden Community Partnership (CCP) proudly announced the unveiling of the schedule for the 2024 Connect the Lots season, featuring a variety of fun, family-friendly, outdoor recreational activities, special events and educational programming designed to engage residents and activate vacant and underutilized spaces throughout the City of Camden.

Each year, Connect the Lots programming is designed to inspire and engage Camden residents in neighborhood transformation by creating safe hubs of activity and quality programming for residents to enjoy in city public spaces and corridors. Each Connect the Lots season is packed with activities designed to activate, engage and entertain residents of all ages in various communities and community spaces across the City of Camden.

“For the past ten years, the City of Camden has partnered with Camden Community Partnership to bring fun, family-oriented programing to our residents through the Connect the Lots summer series,” said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen. “From lunchtime music at Roosevelt Plaza Park and canoe rides on the Delaware River, to outdoor movies in neighborhood parks, special events like Camden Night Gardens at Coopers Poynt Waterfront Park and much more, seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of our city residents while they enjoy quality time together is simply priceless. I cannot wait to join you all at one of the many Connect the Lots activities this summer!”

“Connect the Lots is a celebration of our great City, its residents and its vibrant history and culture,” said Dana L. Redd, president and CEO of Camden Community Partnership. “We are so proud to call Camden our ‘home’ and highlight its diverse culture in so many different ways. Every program and event included in the 2024 Connect the Lots season was specially designed to provide fun, family-friendly entertainment and educational experiences for residents and visitors alike. From our talented local musicians and artists to recreational activities in our city’s beautiful open park spaces, we invite you to experience all that the great City of Camden has to offer!”

“We look forward to the launch of Connect the Lots each year, as it is a special program here in the city of Camden that gives our residents and their families the opportunity to get out of the house, have some fun and participate in programs all summer long,” said Commissioner Jeff Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. “There is something that everyone can enjoy from fitness classes to movie nights, concerts and more so we can’t wait to bring this extensive roster of programming to our residents this summer.”

The 2024 Connect the Lots season will officially kick-off on Memorial Day Weekend with Camden Night Gardens on Friday, May 24 from 5-9 p.m. in Cooper’s Poynt Park in Camden, NJ (on the North Camden waterfront along the Delaware River). Camden Night Gardens is a free nighttime art, music, food and performance festival that transforms an underutilized open park space on the North Camden waterfront with a variety of temporary light, sound and projection installations. The theme of this year’s festival is Celebrating The Diverse Culture of Camden – featuring free, family-oriented activities, including rides, live entertainment, music, a car show and a variety of vendors and community partners to connect neighborhoods, engage community members and attract visitors from around the region.

In addition to Camden Night Gardens, the 2024 Connect the Lots season will also feature a variety of new programming and special events held throughout the City of Camden, including but not limited to:

  • Lunchtime Concert Series – every Tuesday and Thursday in April and May, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Roosevelt Plaza Park
  • Outdoor Movie Nights – running June-October (Various Dates), 8 p.m. in different locations (Staley Park, Alberta Woods Park, Liney Ditch Park, Cornelius Martin Park, Johnson Park)
  • Family Fun & Fitness Day – June 8, 11 a.m. at the Camden Athletic Complex
  • Horizon Cooking Challenge – June 22, 11 a.m. at The Kroc Center–Camden
  • I Paddle Camden – July 1, 8:30 a.m. at Pyne Poynt Park
  • Art Crawl – July 11 & October 10 in Downtown Camden
  • Camden Peace Games – July in Von Neida Park (Date and Time TBD)
  • National Night Out – August 1 (Time and Location TBD)
  • Talent Show/Multicultural Day – August in Dudley Grange Park (Date and Time TBD)
  • Camden Jam – September 13 in Roosevelt Plaza Park
  • Latin Night – September 20, 5 p.m. in Roosevelt Plaza Park
  • Harvest Table – October 11 (Time and Location TBD)
  • Creative Camden – October (Date, Time and Location TBD)

For a full list of events and details, visit: www.ctlcamden.com/events-calendar.html

All Connect the Lots programming is made possible through generous support from the William Penn Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Camden Special Service District, private corporations and the state’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, as well as program partners like Better Tomorrows, Center for Aquatic Sciences, St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, The Salvation Army Kroc Center and Urban Promise.

To learn more about Connect the Lots programs and special events planned for the 2024 season, visit
http://www.ctlcamden.com/ or follow @CTLCamden on Instagram and Facebook.

About Camden Community Partnership:
Camden Community Partnership (CCP) was founded in 1984 as a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to planning and implementing high-quality urban redevelopment projects to revitalize the City of Camden. CCP’s initial focus was concentrated on the redevelopment of Camden’s downtown waterfront area – serving as the planner, promoter, and master developer of more than $600 million of private and public investment at the Waterfront. Since then, CCP has expanded their mission to act as the umbrella organization to bring stakeholders together and implement a holistic approach to revitalizing Camden. With a residents-first approach at the core of what we do, CCP focuses on housing, public safety, infrastructure, education, neighborhood initiatives, park and green space development, and facilitates the creation of employment opportunities. Strategic investments in these areas act as a catalyst for future growth and bring a renewed sense of pride in Camden as a vibrant place to live, work and play. Learn more: https://camdencommunitypartnership.com/.

Dennis Hayes,
Vice President

Dennis Hayes joined Camden Community Partnership in May 2024 as Vice President, bringing over twenty-five years of project and team management experience to the organization. Dennis is a highly skilled professional whose subject matter expertise is in several areas including Construction Management, Facility Operations, Communications Systems (Telecommunications and Land Mobile Radio), Energy Solutions, Public Safety Agency Operations, Homeland Security, Regulatory Affairs, Land Use, and Environmental Engineering. His portfolio reflects CCP’s economic development, infrastructure, transportation, and sustainability projects and initiatives.

Dennis has managed multi-million dollar projects throughout the State of New Jersey, most recently serving as Senior Project Manager for STV overseeing the construction of the Joint Health Sciences Center which is a 100,000 square-foot biomedical research facility that is home to Rowan University, Rutgers University-Camden, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden County College and the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. The project was estimated at $75 million infusing investment into the Downtown Camden EDs and MEds corridor. Before the Joint Health Sciences Center, his portfolio also included managing the semi-historic renovation of the Rowan Camden Campus Bank Building. The project involved the renovation of a four-story granite/marble atrium originally constructed in 1928, renovation of the 5 th story from office space to academic space, renovation of a 3-story Annex structure from office space to academic space, and the construction of a 3-story multipurpose space at the rear of the original building.

Dennis previously worked for Economic Project Solutions as a Senior Construction Project Manager, whose responsibilities included daily oversight of multiple construction projects, including client meetings, project schedule maintenance, budget tracking, business process analysis, and report generation. While at EPS, Dennis managed the construction of an Urgent Care Facility for Chemed in Lakewood, NJ; three medical lab renovations for Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health in New Brunswick, NJ; the initial programming of Jersey City University Business School Expansion, and assisted in managing the historic renovation of the Lowe’s Theatre in Jersey City.

Dennis Hayes holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies from the Richard H. Stockton State College and several CEUs from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and the University of Toledo College of Engineering. He is OSHA 30 Certified, NJ Licensed N2 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Subsurface Evaluator, and Underground Storage Tank Closure Certified (NJDEP), HEP Certified – US Fish and Wildlife Service, NJ Certified Tree Expert, and Certified Arborist – International Society of Arboriculture.

Alex Darling,
Senior Project Manager

Alex Darling joined Camden Community Partnership in May 2024 as Senior Project Manager, bringing a track record of success in both the public and private sectors. In this role, he currently manages the Camden Works Initiative, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s “Reinventing Our Communities” Camden Cohort Workforce Equity Planning effort, and the Camden Health and Athletic Association in addition to addressing the Digital Divide in Camden, NJ. Alex’s portfolio is reflective of CCP’s focus on advancing equity and working to improve the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) throughout the city.

Alex previously served as Aide to Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and Department Head for the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services, where he acted as a liaison to federal, state, and local agencies, working directly with residents to connect them to services offered by government agencies and organizations. Alex identified emerging community issues and trends, often conducting site visits for resident concerns or participating in community outreach activities. His strategic thinking and dedication to process improvement were evident as he monitored case trends to propose recommendations for enhancing services.

Alex played a pivotal role in launching the City’s "My Camden NJ" mobile app, a comprehensive citizen engagement solution that provides residents with a user-friendly, digital gateway to access city services, report problems, and engage with their community. This experience underscores his commitment to advancing community engagement, effective communication, and innovation for the betterment of Camden and its residents.

Before his tenure with the City of Camden, Alex worked in the private sector for Holman Automotive, one of the largest integrated automotive service companies in North America. There, Alex focused on achieving business-related objectives for a portfolio of high-impact strategic accounts. His work involved developing and implementing tailored strategies to meet client needs, and collaborating closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure client satisfaction and success. Alex's ability to build strong relationships and deliver results for these key clients highlights his expertise in managing complex projects and driving business growth.

Prior to Holman Automotive, Alex worked for the Center for Family Services, a leading nonprofit social services provider, where he spearheaded the creation of a digital employee hub to foster employee inclusion and engagement across the organization's extensive network. This initiative helped improve internal communication and collaboration, ultimately enhancing the organization's ability to serve the community.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Temple University's Fox School of Business in 2017.

Gerald C. Seneski, CPA,
Chief Financial Officer

Gerald “Gerry” Seneski joined Camden Community Partnership in April 2025 as the Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the nonprofit’s financial health and operations.

Mr. Seneski holds multiple professional licenses, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA), and Licensed Public-School Accountant (PSA). He is also a Certified County Finance Officer and Certified Municipal Finance Officer. Prior to joining CCP, Gerry served as the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Camden, where he is credited with preparing, introducing, and managing an annual municipal operating budget of $210 million, which supports various public services such as fire, police, public works, and other city departments.

Because of his strong fiscal management practices and internal controls, he positioned Camden for an investment bond credit rating upgrade from an A- to an A in 2024, which sends a signal to investors regarding the city’s stable outlook. Throughout his career, Gerry has served as CFO and Administrator for several cities, towns, and governmental units, including North Brunswick, Cinnaminson, Cumberland County, Rowan College of South Jersey, and as the former Assistant Director at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Governmental Services.

Among his notable accomplishments, Gerry has served as the President of the NJ Government Finance Officers Association and is active in the Government Accounting & Auditing Interest Group of the NJ Society of CPAs. He previously held a position on the Executive Board of the NJ Association of Counties (CFO Affiliates) and was a member of the Legislative Advisory Board for the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

Without question, Gerry Seneski brings a wealth of financial experience and business acumen to the position of CFO for Camden Community Partnership, with over 35 years of service in the public and private sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting Major, and a Master of Public Administration from Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania.

Robert Corrales,
Vice Manager

Robert Corrales joined Camden Community Partnership as Vice President in 2023, supporting the organization’s community and economic development initiatives. Mr. Corrales oversees a diverse project portfolio including but not limited to park rehabilitation and restoration, Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) programs, workforce development efforts, special events, and related economic development initiatives. He brings nearly twenty-two years of executive management and public relations experience in State and local government.

Prior to joining Camden Community Partnership, Mr. Corrales served as Township Manager for Evesham Township. In this role, he was charged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the largest municipality in Burlington County. Under his leadership, the Township successfully preserved 187 acres of land from the threat of overdevelopment. Mr. Corrales’ notable accomplishments also included working with developers to ensure ongoing Township projects remained on track and under budget, developing a capital improvement plan for parks and open space, successfully negotiating three labor contracts for the Township, and spearheading new public communication initiatives to broaden resident outreach and service delivery.

Robert previously served as Business Administrator for the City of Camden, responsible for overseeing all Department Heads, developing and managing an annual municipal budget totaling approximately $185 million, instituting sound fiscal controls and budgetary practices, as well as, implementing regulatory and statutory mandates. As a result of his leadership and executive management experience, Mr. Corrales assisted the Mayor by formulating public policy which helped set the stage for the transition of the Camden Police Department to the Camden County Police Department, achieved the first investment grade bond rating in decades, and paved the way for public-private investment totaling more than $2 billion.

Working for New Jersey state government, Robert Corrales has served as Press Secretary to Governor Jon S. Corzine, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and Public Information Officer for the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL).

Robert received his Master’s Degree in Labor and Employment Relations and his B.A. in Labor Studies from Rutgers University.

Lahy Amman,
Project Manager

Lahy Amman joined Camden Community Partnership as a Project Management Intern in June 2024 and became a full-time Project Manager in July 2025. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Masters in City Planning in May 2025. Lahy manages several large-scale park construction projects including renovations to some of the city’s premier public spaces: Wiggins Waterfront Park, Roosevelt Plaza Park, Sheila Roberts Park, and 7th and Clinton Park. He also provides research, data analysis, and GIS support for projects ranging from public art installations, park activations and events, and home repair and development programs. His background in planning helps him support CCP’s work as part of the Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative to develop a transformative, long-term model for parks activation and maintenance in Camden. Lahy leverages his previous grant writing experience to support CCP’s fundraising efforts, drafting grant applications for new and continuing funding streams to support park construction, climate resilience, and public art projects.

Nakia Maxwell,
Office Manager

Nakia joined Camden Community Partnership in 2000. With over 22 years of service, Nakia has emerged as Office Manager for the organization, providing staff support and management, maintaining administrative systems, implementing office policies, and overseeing human resources. Nakia is a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and holds a Certificate in Organizational Management from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). A lifelong resident of Camden, NJ, Nakia assists the team in advancing the mission and mandate of the organization.

Jahmara Smith,
Project Manager

Jahmara Smith joined Camden Community Partnership as a Project Management Intern in the Fall of 2022. She became a full-time Project Manager in 2023 upon graduating from the Rutgers University-Camden School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, with a minor in Digital Marketing. Jahmara manages a diverse project portfolio including the organization’s Message, Media, and Communications, the Camden Works Initiative – connecting residents to local job opportunities, and the Camden Loop which is an affordable on-demand micro-transit service designed to reduce transportation barriers for Camden residents by connecting them to employment and other social determinants of health risk factors such as a full-service grocery store option. Focused on brand equity for nonprofits, Jahmara is a skilled graphic designer and content generator who works to raise CCP brand awareness and engagement to strengthen the relationship between the organization’s initiatives and Camden residents. She manages Camden Community Partnership’s social media platforms and websites including Camden Community Partnership, Camden Invincible weekly electronic newsletter, Camden Works, Camden Works Job Board, Camden Collaborative Initiative, and Connect the Lots-Camden.

Brian Fisher,
Project Manager

Brian Fisher joined Camden Community Partnership as a Project Management Intern in September 2022 and became a full-time Project Manager in April 2023 upon graduating from Rutgers University-Camden with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies. Brian comes to the organization with prior experience in planning and development in urban cities, including the Township of Irvington and the City of Camden. He formerly interned for the Camden Redevelopment Agency where Brian assisted in creating redevelopment plans, site surveys, and distribution plans, in addition to collecting demographic data and preparing related reports. Today, Brian Fisher manages over $3 million in trails and parks construction projects including overseeing the construction of the Elijah Perry Park in the Centerville Neighborhood, the installation of newly refurbished outdoor basketball courts at Farnham Park in Parkside, design and construction of the River Birch Trails, in addition to Camden Community Partnership’s Camden Night Gardens, an event that draws over 5,000 residents each year. Brian Fisher is currently enrolled at Temple University, pursuing a graduate degree in City and Regional Planning.

Joseph Myers,
COO

Joseph graduated with a Bachelor of Political Science from the College of New Jersey in 1998 and from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Governmental Affairs and a Master of Political Science in 2000. Joe began working at Camden Community Partnership (CCP) as a graduate intern in 1999, became a full-time project manager upon graduation in the spring of 2000, and was promoted to COO/VP in October of 2009 and tasked with overseeing the development and neighborhood operations in the office.

Joe has dedicated his time working on several downtown projects, which include the Camden Children's Garden, new infrastructure around Adventure Aquarium, and the Aquarium Fountain Park. Joe works closely with the private sector on planning the build out of the remaining downtown waterfront and also in North Camden with Save Our Waterfront on park design and neighborhood planning.

He serves on the board of CAMConnect and Heritage Collaborative as well as volunteering with Sacred Heart Athletics. He is also a graduate of Leadership NJ and the Rutgers University's Center for Strategic Urban Leadership Institute.

Dana L. Redd,
President/CEO

Dana Redd is President/CEO of Camden Community Partnership, Inc. a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as the catalyst for the preservation and growth of a vibrant Camden. In this role, Ms. Redd is the key management leader responsible for implementing the strategic plan and managing a diversified special project portfolio, including neighborhood initiatives, public infrastructure, and business development. She is charged with overseeing the administration, annual budget, board development, fundraising, and creating public-private partnerships.

Dana has worked in various positions from local government to the New Jersey State Senate, most recently serving as CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. As former CEO, Ms. Redd was responsible for board operations, construction, and management of a 95,000-square-foot Joint Health Sciences Center. Ms. Redd worked to develop programmatic and policy initiatives that reflected the Board’s mission and overarching objectives of education, economic development, and civic engagement. She led the creation of the innovative South Jersey Institute for Population Health and secured $4.5 million in state funding for new health initiatives, including population health research, workforce development, and STEM training programs for Camden youth.

While serving as Mayor of Camden, she successfully transitioned the city from state takeover to local control. Camden emerged as a national model for urban recovery in America during her tenure. Redd rallied a coalition of citizens, community organizations, faith-based leaders, businesses, universities, healthcare providers, state officials, and local government entities to improve the quality of life for Camden residents.

Under her leadership as mayor, Camden posted significant improvements in public safety statistics with the creation of the Camden County Police Department’s Metro Division and its commitment to community policing. Redd led a full state intervention in the Camden City School District to improve academic outcomes for urban youth. Redd leveraged and attracted $2.5 billion in public/private investment to stimulate economic growth and job creation. Upon completing her term as mayor, Camden achieved a Standard & Poor credit rating of BBB+, a first in more than 15 years.

Before she was elected Camden mayor in 2009, Redd represented New Jersey’s Fifth Legislative District as a state senator, where she served on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Senate Committee for Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and the Joint Committee on the Public Schools. She co-sponsored and secured the passage of $3.9 billion in new school construction for New Jersey’s Abbott School Districts. Redd sponsored legislation creating the Homeless Trust Fund.

Dana Redd is a graduate of Rutgers: The State University of New Jersey (Camden Campus) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Services Administration from Lincoln University.