Criminal Justice Club’s Clean-Up Initiative Becomes A Recurring Fundraise

Yulia Karpova

Photo by Yulia Karpova (Dawn Flanders)

On November 22, 2025, the Criminal Justice Club at Sussex County Community College in Newton launched its first community clean-up initiative around the college and Memory Park, collecting 15 large bags of garbage while raising funds through pledged donations per bag.

The club donated $250 to the Newton Homeless Task Force through this initiative and collaborated with the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office to collect clothing and canned goods, marking the effort as a huge success.

Marissa Bouma, the club’s secretary, says that the money the club was able to donate did not come from the cleanup alone, but through the partnership with Newton Police Department, local authorities, school district and SCCC.

In addition, the club runs its own store that sells stylish beanies in four colors only for $20 each, and challenge coins to trade with the club’s logo on them for $25 per coin, which put in a notable contribution.

On April 26, “Clean Today, Green Tomorrow” returns to clean up public areas in Newton, this time to support Ginnie’s House, the Children's Advocacy Center for Sussex County.

The club’s vice president Kassie Dunn, the clean-up initiative mastermind, and a dual major in psychology and criminal justice, says that when the club reached out to Ginnie’s House, not only were they willing to accept the donation, they also wanted to help the club out to clean up the community, and so they would be sending their volunteers, too.

Having witnessed what abuse can do to a child, Dunn is determined to dedicate her life to help its victims and prevent other children from suffering its devastating impact.

“I want to be child psychologist for children who have been assaulted or just having mental issues,” says Dunn, who is also currently in the Ramapo 3+1 program, getting her bachelor's in psychology. “And I want to work with police departments as a way to help interview children who they need to speak with because of any person, like a crime that's been committed against someone.”

“I fully believe that children are innocent,” she adds. “And I genuinely feel so much empathy and sympathy for them when something bad has happened to them. So I would like to help them to overcome what's happened.”

Founded in 2024 by Criminal Justice Prof. Dawn Flanders, the club has quickly gained popularity, community recognition, and now has become one of the major media outlets on campus. With 60 current members, the club has its officers, its constitution and robust media presence.

“We try to take the book and tie it in a real world experience,” says Flanders. “So the students can see firsthand and gain that network as well with somebody from that department, or from that area, where they can make that connection to possibly get a job, or at least learn more about where they want to go.

“It also affords the students to get their volunteer hours in,” she adds. “And it affords them those opportunities to make friendships within the community, make friendships within the club and make friendships within campus.”

Flanders generously gives all credits for organizing all the club’s fundraisers to the officers, saying that she is just the advisor that helps connect the students to what they want to do.

“Really, it comes from our core officers,” she says. “Isabella is our president, and Kassie is our vice president, and Marissa is our secretary. And Dante is our treasurer, and Kayla is our media specialist. And those five are really the backbone. They're the ones pushing all of this to happen.”

Flanders sees her mission in helping the students to succeed in any possible way: “This is my grandma goal.”

“The club is open to everybody,” adds Flanders. “Everybody can join.”

As the spring clean-up date approaches, the club continues to accept cash donations, calling on the community to help make a difference.