The Criminal Justice Organization is active on campus
The student-run Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) serves
to foster fellowship among our majors while serving the community in
various ways. Founded in 1997, when inaugural president Chrissy Hastings
and club advisor professor Meyer recruited some other students interested
in criminal justice and related issues, the club has earned a solid reputation
for service. The CJO has collected boxes of cell phones, for example,
to distribute to domestic violence victims as emergency lifeline phones
and has performed other drives. |
Just some
of the items obtained for one of the
families sponsoredfor Christmas
2006
|
Every year, the CJO works with the Camden Angels to collect food, clothing
and monetary donations for that worthy project, which seeks to help the
many needy families in Camden City. This past year, the members collected
more than 800 canned and non-perishable food items and nearly $700 in cash
donations for the Camden Angels. The members also adopted a local family
with two young sons that had been identified by the Camden City Fire Department.
In conjunction with Dr. Meyer’s fall 2006 Theories of Crime class,
the students collected so many gifts and clothing items for the family
that they were able to sponsor two additional families provided by the
Diocese of Camden. The drive was a resounding success and the members were
excited to have played a part in the project. |
This semester’s project was a hygiene drive to assist medically
fragile and HIV/AIDS infected children of the Dooley House & the residents
of Hogan House in Camden. Despite a fierce ice storm that closed parts
of the city during the drive, the club was still able to obtain five large
boxes of baby care supplies, soap, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, razors,
dental care products, and other hygiene necessities for the residents at
Dooley and Hogan House. The club also did a coin drive to benefit the two
houses.
This photo shows Vice President Kelly Sullivan and Kimberly Franqui posing
with some of the items collected for Dooley & Hogan House. For more information
on Dooley and Hogan House, see
http://www.dooleyhouse.org/ |
 |
The club also sponsors activities such as speakers in the field
of criminal justice and tours of local criminal justice agencies. Last semester’s
speaker was FBI Special Agent V, who spoke about his experiences fighting terrorism
over the past several decades. A riveting speaker, Agent V talked about how
terrorism and how it is fought has changed since the 1970’s, when he
began working in the field. He's definitely on the list to be invited back in
a future year.
This semester, the club has several events planned. Last month, DEA Agent
G spoke to the members, talking about his agency and how they do their work.
He also talked about the hiring process at the DEA, which made him quite popular
among the graduating seniors. Agent G’s presentation was enjoyed by all
who attended the event and some wanted him brought back next semester to make
additional presentations on his work. Other speakers are being scheduled,
as is a tour of Riverfront State Prison.
We’re always looking for a few good men and women to be members. For
more information on the CJO, visit http://sociology.camden.rutgers.edu/jfm/cjo.html
March 25, 2007