Charter school in Camden, New Jersey forced to move after flooding; calling on public's help

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- A Camden, New Jersey charter school is desperate for help after flash flooding destroyed the property.

Staff at Hope Community Charter School says they are now forced to relocate just weeks before the start of school.

"We already had to move our start time to 14th of September. Staff is going to come in, that's when the major move is going to take place. We want to get things done sooner, but unfortunately, we need manpower," said Vice Principal Edward Reuben.

The flooding happened the first week of July after staff returned from break. The impacted areas were mostly isolated to classrooms in the basement, but the flooding left behind extensive damage, including mold.

Special Education teacher Audrey Szabo says it took her years to complete her classroom.

"I couldn't even put a price on how much we may have lost," said Szabo. "It's a lot of money that teachers put out every year to make their classrooms what they are. Budgets are small."

The small school staff is now pressed for time and desperate for help.

New classroom space is already secured at Holy Name Parish on North 5th Street, a site that was recently vacated, but even that comes with its own challenges.

"There's also some repairs that need to be done. Bathroom needs to be fixed, plaster needs to be fixed. Fresh coat of paint," said Szabo.

They're calling on the community to help them pack, unload and clean up over the next few weeks.

The fear is that if they can't get everything done in time, the start of school will be pushed back even further.

"We are that baseline enrollment. We don't want to lose any students," said Reuben.

The school is calling on local volunteers and sponsors to help with this transition.

If you would like to help Hope Community Charter School in Camden, call 856-379-3448, or email: szabo@hopecommunitycharter.org.