Our Beginning
The Vision That Sparked a Mission
Before 1998, our founder, Vivian Tan, made her first visit to Camden. What she encountered during that trip would shape the course of her life and the future of countless children. As she listened to young people share their experiences, they spoke candidly about the realities of growing up surrounded by violence and unsafe neighborhoods. Simple childhood freedoms, like playing in local parks, were often out of reach because of dangerous conditions and drug paraphernalia scattered across the ground.
Those conversations stirred a deep calling.
In response, Kids Alley was born. Each Saturday morning, Vivian drove into Camden with a fifteen-foot trailer, setting up in vacant and abandoned lots. Through music, puppetry, drama, and faith-centered teaching, she created a safe space where children could gather, learn, and experience joy. What began as creative outreach quickly became something greater — a consistent message of hope, love, and purpose.
In 1998, that vision was formally established with the incorporation of One Accord, Inc., and the launch of what became known as the Saturday Live program. From those humble beginnings, the organization grew into a holistic movement dedicated to serving children, youth, and families throughout Camden and Camden County — strengthening lives, restoring hope, and building a foundation for generational impact.
Our Mission
Expanding to Meet a Growing Need
As the needs of families became more evident in the early 2000s, the organization expanded its outreach by launching the Kids Alley Learning Center and the Kids Alley Summer Camp. What began as a weekend outreach evolved into year-round support designed to provide children with stability, structure, and opportunity. The vision remained clear and urgent: create a safe, consistent environment where children could learn, grow, and thrive.
Within these programs, students receive strong academic support and educational enrichment that reinforces classroom learning and builds confidence. Families are connected to nutritional resources and practical education that promote healthy living. At the core of every activity is intentional character development, grounded in biblical principles that shape integrity, responsibility, and purpose.
The mission continues to focus on providing essential resources and meaningful relationships to individuals and families throughout Camden County, empowering them to grow into thriving, engaged members of their community.
Continuing the Vision
Building on a Legacy of Hope and Service
In 2015, our beloved founder, Vivian Tan, passed away. Though her life ended, the vision she planted continued to flourish. Under the leadership of CEO Brenda Hallahan, along with a devoted team of staff and volunteers, the organization pressed forward with renewed commitment to serving at-risk children and families.
As the work deepened, it became clear that many families were carrying unseen burdens. Poverty, food insecurity, and exposure to violence were shaping not only children’s experiences, but the emotional well-being of entire households.
In response, the organization expanded its approach to include total family care. Through specialized training and compassionate engagement, the team walks alongside individuals facing overwhelming challenges, helping them develop healthy coping skills while providing practical resources and steady support.
This journey led to another critical need: parents themselves were often overlooked and struggling without hope for their own future. Recognizing this gap, One Accord began to offer educational support, and mentoring to adults through Manna Academy.
This initiative provides spiritual encouragement, personal development, and practical tools that equip parents to build stability, strengthen their families, and rediscover purpose.
Today, the vision continues — strengthening children, restoring families, and creating pathways toward generational transformation.