Rev. Bonnie Camarda
As Director of Partnerships for The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia since 1999, the Reverend Bonnie Camarda is at the heart of The Salvation Army’s initiatives to form fruitful partnerships with area business leaders, government leaders, prospective donors, fellow social service organizations, and most importantly, individuals who look to her for spiritual guidance and hope. Her professional accomplishments and community involvement are truly one in the same, and she has been recognized for her rare ability to reach men and women, the elderly and children, across socioeconomic and cultural lines.
Rev. Camarda has been a pioneer in many ways. Born in Havana, Cuba, she grew up in Madrid, Spain, and graduated from the University of Madrid with a degree in Business Administration and a Baccalaureate in Administrative Science. She earned an MBA from Wharton in 1973, at a time when few women were admitted to MBA programs. She also received a Masters of Divinity from the Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida, a conservative institution where women were a tiny minority of students. She has never been afraid of a challenge. She continues her trailblazing spirit through a passionate commitment to working with the poor and to urban ministry.
Fortunately, she is up to the task, paving the way for dialogue to address the root causes of violence, and helping to raise funds to make the proposed 104,000 square-foot Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in North Philadelphia a reality, doubling the number of people the Army serves, and creating a paradigm for ways in which human service providers can partner with each other to enhance their programs. The Center is slated to open in Fall, 2009.
In a May 7, 2007 op-ed published in The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Caring Mentors are Key to Lessening Violence,” Rev. Camarda, Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Faith Leaders Advisory Task Force for Community Safety, described how the organization works to maximize the neighborhoods’ spiritual assets, social capital and civic values. As part of their strategy for faith-based community engagement and service, the Task Force planned a series of events to encourage mutual trust and respect. The group held a “Prayer for Peace of the City Week” April 28 – May 5 in houses of worship in the neighborhoods, at Independence Visitor’s Center, in Love Park, and a children’s march in Fairmount Park.
Also this Spring, Rev. Camarda spoke at a press conference as organizer of the first “Violins Not Violence” Amnesty Program at the Salvation Army’s West Philadelphia Corp, where, for every gun or weapon turned in, Musicopia and Jacobs Music Company provided a musical instrument to Philadelphia Schools. “A gift of music to a child is a message of hope and possibility that engages the intellect and touches the soul, as sure as a prayer,” she said. Speaking to KYW-AM’s Karin Phillips, Rev. Camarda pointed out that there had been a shooting right where they stood at 55th and Market Streets the night before. “We just want to give an opportunity to the kids.”
Rev Camarda has been a tireless advocate for the poor in her position as President of the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia, an organization she helped co-found 1989. Rev. Camarda is also Secretary of the Board of La Esperanza, and a Board member of the Nueva Esperanza Community Development Corporation and the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation. She has also served as the Administrative Pastor for the Living Word Community Church and as Executive Director of the Esperanza Health Center.
An active supporter of education, Rev. Camarda serves as Moderator for the Faith and Community Partnerships of the School Districts of Philadelphia.
For five years, Rev. Camarda has served as Association Coordinator for the annual World Changers project, a joint program of the North American Mission Board of the Baptist Convention and The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. In her role, Rev. Camarda has partnered with the Allegheny West Foundation and Total Surrender, Inc. to identify homes in low-income neighborhoods in need of repair. This year, some 300 students were engaged in 65 area projects.
A bilingual speaker, Rev. Camarda has served as a frequent radio guest on shows across the country dealing with HIV in the Hispanic Community as part of the national Leadership Campaign on AIDS: Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit Development and Pluralism.
Rev. Camarda has furthered AIDS education through The Leadership Campaign on AIDS (TLCA), a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of HIV/AIDS Policy. Working closely with TLCA, she has helped The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory address HIV/AIDS through staff education and organizational training to expand HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. Currently, the Territory is working to build a website that will link Salvation Army employees to HIV/AIDS education materials and resource information.
