An organization that helps public high school students in Philadelphia and Camden achieve their post-graduation goals is the Domenica Foundation’s latest grantee of 2025. The 12 Plus nonprofit was founded in Philadelphia in 2012; expanded to Camden in 2022; and between the two cities now serves a total of 5,000 students at 15 high schools.
“We’ve approved the grant to 12 Plus in full, providing $150,000 over three years,” Domenica Foundation director Elena Piperno said. “We’re thrilled to enable the 12 Plus team to deepen and widen their services to Camden students.
Thanks to the Domenica grant, 12 Plus founder Raymond John said, “we will be able to start building relationships with students earlier” at the public high schools in Camden. “The Domenica grant will help 12 Plus expand to offer services starting in 9th grade at three schools in Camden – Camden High School, Big Picture Learning Academy, and Brimm Medical Arts – and expand our 12th grade programming to Creative Arts,” said John.
“We offer 9-12th grade programming at all of our schools in Philadelphia. Our hope is that with Domenica’s support, we can do the same in Camden over the life of the grant.”
The PLUS Centers his organization creates within each of its partner high schools offer trained advisors, other resources, and a gathering space for students. The advisers seek to build and sustain relationships not only with high-achievers, but with all students.
“Being a part of the building and working with teachers and counselors every day helps us eliminate as many barriers to success for as many students as possible,” John said. “Every student should have a path forward. We hope to ensure that every student at our schools has someone who is with them every step of the way, so they’re not navigating the journey alone.”
Jose Antonio Velasquez Morade, is 2024 Camden High grad and Plus 12 participant. He’s also a rising junior at Rowan University.
“My very favorite thing about 12 Plus was the help they gave me filling out all the college [application] paperwork,” said Jose, 20, who attended classes at Rowan in Camden and now lives on the university’s main campus in Glassboro.
“The people at 12 Plus always check up on you, asking if everything is good at school,” he said. “They kept pushing me and were always there to help me find a way. I was able to know that I had a path forward.”
Data from 12 Plus show that more than 90 percent of graduating seniors at participant schools are accepted into two and four-year colleges, or into professional or vocational training programs. The organization also supports students who are not college-bound but are interested in technical training, military service, or meaningful, living wage employment after graduation.
“There is so much to love about 12 Plus,” Piperno added. “They are a fierce advocate for students who may not have one, and our two organizations share the same hopes for Camden’s youth.”
John also cited Domenica’s deep Camden roots “and years and years of commitment to improving the lives” of city residents as a plus. “I am grateful they have included us as a partner,” he said.