Biography for Sheila Lynn Roberts


Born: 5-17-1951
Birthplace: Camden, New Jersey
BA Sociology /Urban Studies Rutgers University,
Rutgers University Graduate School of Education:
Elementary Teacher Certification -1976


Sheila Lynn Roberts is a life long resident of the City of Camden, New Jersey. She is the widow of the late Stuart L. Roberts, Camden City Police officer killed in the line of duty in 1976. Sheila taught elementary school in the city of Camden for ten years before retiring due to a disability.
Mrs. Roberts's accomplishments and commitments are reflected in her personal life; she is the mother of three and grandmother to seventeen children. Thirteen of her grandchildren are adopted residents from the City of Camden. Mrs. Roberts became a foster parent to serve those youth in the City of Camden, who were most vulnerable and in need of someone to believe in them. She volunteers her time and services to various community events, such as contributing food for food banks and homeless shelters, providing clothing for the needy and generally supporting the efforts to improve the lives of those in financial straits and/or homeless. Mrs. Roberts is a strong advocate for Public Safety in the City and is well known for her advocacy throughout the Police Department.

She is a champion for youth programming and employment opportunities for residents especially the youth of the City of Camden. She has been recognized for helping to securing a grant for two million dollars that brought an urban canopy of trees to the City of Camden through the New Jersey Tree Foundation. She also help secure a seventy five thousand dollar award from Home Depot in 2008 for the City of Camden to provide addition trees to help mitigate the air quality and provide additional trees for neighborhoods that have few or no trees.

Sheila works in partnership with other Cooper Plaza Community Stakeholders laying the groundwork for fundamental change in the Lanning Square neighborhood. She works on a collaborative effort that is based on the Harlem Children’s Zone model, which seeks to enrich the lives of children and families in the Lanning Square neighborhood from cradle to college to career. She is committed to work to ensure all children are safe, healthy, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Sheila serves as Director of South Jersey Port Corporation and Cooper Ferry Partnership to further her commitment in helping to improve the lives of youth and communities of Camden City and the Region.

Sheila is a dedicated and faithful member of St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church of the Parish of St. Josephine Bakhita, where she demonstrates stewardship, she has served as a previous Parish Council President and parish council member, she currently serves as the coordinator of the Hosanna Prayze youth choir, and assistant to the minister of Music for the Praise Connection choir, she also coordinates the Angelic Mime and Praise Dance Ministry. She enjoys sharing the ministry of the Word through song, traveling sometimes internationally ministering while singing Soprano with three gospel choirs; Tri-State Mass choir, Sacrifice of Praise and Praise Connection.

Mrs. Sheila Roberts is a Teacher, and elected Committee woman for Ward One District 3 City of Camden, a Community Activist for over thirty-five years, and Children’s Advocate for youth at risk. She recently received the distinguish honor from the City of Camden as 2012 Woman of Purpose and in 2013 A New Community Park was named in her honor. The Sheila L. Roberts Park located at 6th and Washington Street..

Affiliations:
State appointed Officer serving on the Board of Director South Jersey Port Corporation 2009-2012 current
Director Board of Cooper Ferry Partnership 2009 -2012 current
President and Co-founder of Cooper Lanning Civic Association Inc. 1997-current
Member of Camden City Shade Tree Advisory Board 2006-2010 current
Chair Broadway Main Street 2004-2009 current
Resource Parent for DYFS 1990-2007
Certified Tree Keeper 2007-current
Camden City District Collaborative Board 2006-2011
A member of Camden City Garden Club 1990-current
Co-Chair Cooper Lanning improvement Association 2009
Member of the Police Public Safety Council 2007-2008
Member of Cooper Plaza Town Watch. - 2003-current
Choir member Tri State Mass Choir current
Choir member Praise Connection Choir current
Choir member Sacrifice of Praise 2009-2011
Member of Anti Crime Task Force-Eye in the Sky Camera Project Oversight Board
Camden County Democratic Committee Woman Ward One District #3- 2007- 2010, 2011-2012 current
Youth Coordinator for St. Bartholomew Hosanna Prayze Youth Choir 2006-current
Camden Cooper Lanning Promise Neighborhood Advisory Board 2011-2012 current
Member of Congress and Resident and Community Based Organizations- 2012 current
Member of Camden Shade Tree Advisory Board -2010-2012 current
Community Advisory Committee Cooper Medical School Rowan University -2012 current

Previous Affiliations:
Co-Chair Camden Weed and Seed Steering Committee 2002-2007
Member of the Camden County Shade Tree Commission 2004-2005
Block captain - Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation 2004
Steering committee for Downtown Revitalization
Member of Parents for New School Reform Board
President of the Broadway Main Street Initiative Advisory Board
Program Manager - Cooper Plaza community Weed & Seed Safe Haven 2002-2007
Camden Neighborhood Renaissance on the Weed & Seed Steering, Finance and Program committees
Steering committee member for the CEZC Community Improvement & Strategic Planning committees

Awards:
Child Advocate Leap Academy Charter School 2003
Green Community Achievement Award /
DEP Division of Parks and Forestry Forest Service 2003
Unsung Hero Award for Community Volunteerism 2005
City Council of Camden New Jersey Commendation for Public Safety- 2005
Camden County Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award 2007
Presidents Diversity Award 2007
New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Award for Community Service 2007
Smart Growth Award - New Jersey Future for Community Partner 2008
Campbell’s you Make a Difference Unsung Hero Award -2009
Certificate of Appreciation Camden City Public Schools -2012
Commendation Recognized as Women of Purpose -2012
City of Camden Commendation for Community Service - 2012
Community Service Commendation Camden County Board of Freeholders 2012
Board of Freeholders of Camden County Proclamation Women of Purpose 2012
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Community Service - 2012
State of New Jersey Joint Legislative Commendation Woman of Purpose -2012
Park Name for Community Activist and Community Leader Sheila L. Roberts Park Located at 6th and Washington Street in Camden, New Jersey.
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award 2014


Certifications:
Resource Parent for DYFS 1990-2007
National Weed and Seed Training 2002-2004
Town Watch Training 2004
South Jersey Leadership Institute 2003
Downtown Revitalization Institute 2004
Public Safety Citizens Police Academy 2005
Certified Tree Keeper 2007
Camden County Shade Tree Commission 2004-2005
Core & Shade Tree Federation Certification for City of Camden 2008