“Our Fence” in Camden, NJ, was a spot I took student groups while on service retreats. In 2009 the alley behind DeSales Service Works (DSW) needed a lot of love and prayer. Back then people facing addiction frequently came to this alley to purchase and use drugs. The residential area included family homes, DSW House, Holy Name School, and a daycare on the corner. The kind of traffic through the alley was difficult for kids and families to see, but not uncommon in this and other neighborhoods throughout Camden. Desperate people with a brokenness and a longing to be whole were everywhere. People tried and failed so many times to feel complete because the disease of addiction had a grip on them. A grip that brought them to the abandoned buildings and lots of “heroin alley” parallel to State Street.

“Our Fence” was constructed by students from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Ft. Myers, FL (my alma mater). The fence had a mural, that in true Florida fashion came complete with a palm tree, all of our names, and the bright “gold” from our school colors. There was pride in leaving their mark with this fence. There was also a degree of pride in trying to spare our neighbors from having syringes and trash thrown in their yards where their children play. To this day, individuals involved in the fence building and visitors thereafter pray the bright yellow obstacle could serve as a turning point or moment of clarity for its usual visitors. Perhaps the extra travel to a different block to find another abandoned property or “bando” would spur some change in their hearts. Even while the original group of student-builders were there we saw people walk up to the space prepared to use and turn around to find a new area. I remember us praying for these people.

In 2025, I am both conflicted and hopeful. “Our Fence” was emblazoned with a quote from Camden’s most famous resident, Walt Whitman, “I Saw A City Invincible.” Now the fence is in a bit of disrepair. The property is still abandoned, while other parts of Camden have begun to thrive. Trees and plants wrench the fence from the concrete pillars it has been fixed to for 16 years. Years of rain, snow, and heat have weathered the bright yellow paint and the names are fading. One of the names is that of a young person we lost way too soon. The other names represent young people I have stayed in touch with and am grateful to know there have been many blessings, successes, and challenges weathered.

I am conflicted because, with the gift of hindsight, I can question the intention of “Our Fence.” Did it serve as a little detour and spot of color in a difficult place or was it a monument to ourselves and our pride? As a tour spot for retreat groups, I was showing off a fence on an abandoned property in an alley, but I had few stories to tell of the people who detoured. DeSales Service Works would continue to bring groups into spaces where our brothers and sisters were struggling with addiction and homelessness, but I am uncertain now if my affection and fondness for this fence project were aligned with the mission of DSW.

The more I pray and contemplate what can be done today, in the present moment, I am happy the tree is uprooting the fence. DeSales Service Works has grown with this tree and while our roots are still on State Street we have branched out across Camden. The service groups who have offered their time to water and care for our leaves and soil have cultivated genuine Encounters of Christ in their hearts and the hearts of their neighbors.

Like the tree near the alley fence, our branches have also disrupted and uprooted things. The Gospels and Salesian Spirituality as a lens can upend our pride and tear down facades. A fence can be fine, but not without a resolve to find those left out of it and a hope - a faith - our salvation and lives are inextricably tied to them.

As for “Our Fence,” it did serve its purpose at that time and in that place and deSales reminds us we are human and constantly given a choice between an altruism closer to the Kingdom and actions more reflective of the wants of our ego: “We must be constant in aspiring to the perfection of holy love, so that love may be perfect; for the love which seeks anything less than perfection cannot fail to be imperfect.” - St. Francis de Sales

So like the tree in the alley we shall continue to grow.

Live Jesus