From the president
Keller Tozzi is entering the final year of their master’s in social work at Rutgers University. They have been at local community development organizations, engaged in efforts to eradicate homelessness, improving housing affordability and retaining community stakeholders’ engagement through data and policy. Keller is currently involved with both the local YMCA and Rutgers - Camden's Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement interacting with the City of Camden community centers, local leaders and K-12 schools supporting efforts to facilitate, coach, and improve the community. They hope to combine their current knowledge, and advocacy for housing first, tenants and workers’ rights to push for healthier safer and more connected communities.
Personal Statement
From a young age, I was deeply influenced by my mother's belief in the importance of volunteering. She instilled in me the understanding that there are countless ways to make a positive impact. This early guidance led me to engage in various volunteer opportunities, including pet adoption centers, elderly care systems, and soup kitchens.
The experiences I had in meal lines and homeless shelters were particularly motivating and played a significant role in my decision to pursue an undergraduate degree. As I grew older and spent more time with the homeless population, I was profoundly moved by the stories I heard, which fueled my desire for systemic change.
This passion ultimately led me to apply for and be selected as a Camden Fellow with CURE. In this role, I worked with a community development corporation focused on improving housing affordability in their neighborhood. Now, working with the Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, I am dedicated to combining my passion, knowledge, and advocacy for housing first, tenants and workers’ rights to foster healthier, safer, and more connected communities.