About Us – Our Board & Team
Core Connections Kids Learning Center, Inc.
Sheila White-Price and her husband, Thomas Price, founded Core Connections Kid’s Learning Center, Inc., CCKLC, which provides a safe learning environment for children and youth in Salem County impacted by adverse circumstances. CCKLC will help build children’s and youth’s self-esteem and self-worth by addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences on healthy growth and development. CCKLC will help create new adventures for participants and members of our community.
Based in Salem County, New Jersey, and open to all youth, trained staff and community volunteers at CCKLC will teach youth fundamental life skills. These basic core skills involve but are not limited to health and wellness, career exploration, conflict resolution, financial literacy, afterschool and summer programs support, effective time management for adolescents and teens, and the basic tenets of the game of chess. Leadership training will help youth avoid negative peer and neighborhood influences.
CCKLC staff and guest presenters will also explore the importance of opportunities in the trade and skilled labor industry. CCKLC, Inc’s Poetry Corner serves as a purposeful family engagement activity to aid in emotional regulation and practical strategies to strengthen the health and safety of our community by fostering better child-parent relations.
Founders
Sheila White-Price
Founder | President | CEO
Inspired by her faith, strong family background in community service, and grounded in a belief that education and opportunity can transform lives, Sheila-White Price founded Core Connections Kids Learning Center, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) with her husband, Thomas.
She aims to help children in low-income environments in Penns Grove, New Jersey, through literacy intervention, health and wellness programs, financial literacy education, after-school assistance, summer programs, career readiness, training, and alternative dispute options. Sheila believes that it truly takes a village to create success, and she is committed to that transformation through the work of the non-profit. In 2022, through her leadership, the organization partnered with Temple University Toys for Tots program, donating 4,000 toys for needy children in the region.
Sheila is a native of Camden, New Jersey and understands the challenges and lack of opportunity for children in low-income, inner-city neighborhoods. She herself was a single parent, raising her daughter through the most challenging times. These experiences led her to understand that raising a successful, well-educated child takes a village.
A vibrant and successful entrepreneur, Sheila went on to build a distinguished business career, working in real estate as well as running a successful property damage inspection and home renovation business, T.A.P. Inspections, LLC. In her free time, Sheila enjoys spending time with family and friends
Tom Price
Co-Founder | Vice-President | Treasurer
Solution-focused, faith-driven, and mission-focused are just a few of the words most often used to describe Tom Price. As a co-founder with his lovely wife Sheila and the Vice President/ Co-Treasurer of Core Connections Kids Learning Center, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Tom is inspired to service by his strong faith and an innovative vision for creating solutions that help others live their best lives. Through the focused and determined efforts of the organization, Tom is committed to helping children in low-income, disenfranchised environments in Penns Grove, New Jersey. They aim to serve the community through services that include literacy intervention, health and wellness programs, financial literacy education, after-school assistance, summer programs, career readiness training, and alternative dispute
resolution options.
Tom enjoys a proven track record of success through his infectious drive to achieve what is possible and effect positive change in the lives of others. He also understands the importance of serving others. Tom was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey in a loving environment that instilled in him strong character values, impeccable integrity, and a strong drive to achieve the highest levels of success. Because of these values, Tom earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University (an HBCU) and honorably served his country in the US Army as a commissioned officer in the National Guard/Reserves, where he attained the rank of Major.
While building his military career, he built a dynamic career in the insurance claims industry, with over four decades of experience and expertise. Ultimately, Tom became the owner of T.A.P. Inspections, LLC., a residential and commercial property damage estimating and contracting company. Tom is a loving husband and father who enjoys exploring new ideas and opportunities to serve, conducting training workshops, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Board Directors
Leslie Gaines
Secretary
Elementary Educator at Camden City Board of Education. Leslie is a loving wife and loving, proud mother of three sons. Leslie attended Clark-Atlanta University. (HBCU) She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Rowan University & her advanced teaching certification at Montclair State University.
Leslie Gaines is an accomplished educator with a demonstrated ability to teach, motivate, and mentor youth. She has a passion for empowering underserved communities. Leslie is adamant about creating committed relationships with staff and parents to direct students toward success. She is proud to celebrate being honored as Teacher of the Year 2018-2019. She currently serves as grade-level chairperson. Leslie is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Board Members
Joyce Johnson
Board Member
Native of Salem, NJ, and proud mother of one adult daughter, Chan’nel.
Joyce has more than 45 years of experience working in the social services field as a clinician, educator, administrator/supervisor, trainer/motivator, and holistic health practitioner. What keeps her grounded in culturally relevant and contemporary knowledgeable skills set is an unending focus on training, research, and working with children, youth, families, and couples in clinical and psycho-educational settings.
Joyce’s repertoire of professional expertise includes administrator/supervisor, educator, Camden Center for Youth Development; consulting work with Shabriawn Social Services, Chester, PA; Safe Haven MALL Program, Camden; psycho-educator, Center for Economics & Law Charter School, Philadelphia, PA; project director, First Step Adolescent Prevention Program, Sikora Center; therapist, CEC Counselors & Consultants, Ltd; adjunct faculty advisor, Camden County College; retention manager, US Army Reserves; individual, family & couples counseling, Division of Youth & Family Services; intensive in-home clinician, PerformCare providers; and currently a psychotherapist contractor.
Joyce holds credentials as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Certified Strength & Needs Assessor; Effective Black Parenting trainer; Principal/ Supervisor; School Social Worker; Case Assessment & Planning; Child Sexual Abuse Training; Alcohol & Drug Counseling; Holistic Health Practitioner; and Afrikkan National Rites of Passage Elder and Trainer.
Inner peace from spiritual grounding is vital to having a healthy well-being and living a balanced life of service. The process of healing begins with self-acceptance and self-love.
James A. Sampson Jr. MHS
Board Member
After graduating from Rowan University in 1995, James began his career as a professional helper at Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s Camden, NJ, community corrections program. In 2000 James moved on to work in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with juvenile sex offenders at Cornerstone Philadelphia Aftercare. During his time in Philadelphia, he learned people attempting to manage complex underlying needs are often misunderstood, especially our youth. James began working in New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care in 2005, where he remains today, serving youth and families in Cumberland Gloucester and Salem County as the Director of Community Resources for CGS Family Partnership. In addition to serving on multiple Boards of Directors and community projects, James earned his Master of Human Services / Counseling Degree from Lincoln University, an HBCU in Lincoln, Pennsylvania.
Joyce D. Miller
Board Member
Born and raised in Camden New Jersey, A Camden High School graduate
Holds a BA in Communications from Rowan University:
Recently retired from Volunteers of America Delaware Valley: Certified as the Veterans Services Homeless Housing Coordinator:
Became a Veterans Housing Coordinator for Volunteers of America’s Homeless Veterans Program in Camden New Jersey in 2013. The essential functions were implementing program plans for homeless veterans and their families. Coordinated, Agency housing programs, and networked with the community’s financial resources to access information for Veterans to gain housing options.
Successfully gained access to over 300 units for veterans to transition into permanent housing. Alleviated the homeless status of veterans, and housed over 300 veterans into permanent housing before retirement in 2021.
In 1980 Served as an Inspector for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. Determined compliance regulations, certified operations, and reported deviations of regulations to the state. Maintained records and cited casinos for regulation violations. Retired from the Casino Control Commission in 2011.
Volunteered for the city of Camden, serving in faith-based, community organizations and Camden City school programs. The Camden City YWCA, Camden High School, and Camden’s Performing Arts Program participated in the Camden City Weed and Seed Program as an instructor for 7, years.
Founding member of “We Can Do This”: Camden High School’s Rejuvenation of the athletic field project. 2008-2011
Volunteered for WHYY’s education program on their yearly promotion drives for memberships. Worked with the Atlantic City Anti-Litter Drive, Became a member of the Camden Centerville Simba’s Organization, and volunteered for more than 25 years. Became the New Jersey Casino Control Commission Employee of the Quarter Honoree in 1996. Was nominated for the Zeta Phi Beta Inc. Woman of the Year award in 2015. Nominated and served as a member of the Camden High School Alumni Associations, and accepted the position of the Public Relations Officer.
Currently Serving as President of the Centerville Unity Day Committee.