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A Canvas for Community Growth
To Build a Brighter Future
Breathing new life into the J.C. Penney property by opening its doors to teach preservation building arts connects the existing fabric of the building to the surrounding city’s history, as well as its future. We are so proud to welcome you to 225 East Broadway in historic, Salem, New Jersey.
In 2017, work began to rehabilitate J.C. Penney, the once booming Salem City landmark. Eight years later, the building has been restored to its original glory all while staying true to our original goal – to provide a place where the community can grow, learn, and connect to its history.
Our Mission Statement
The SBAC will strive to be the trusted engine that facilitates educational building arts activities for constituents across Salem County and the surrounding region, to develop marketable skills for youth and others, restore historic buildings, and create opportunities that provide real benefits to society and future generations.
Born and raised in Salem, NJ, Melissa Payne-Skinner is a product of the Salem City School District. She went on to attend Virginia State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology and Business, followed by a master’s degree in education. The daughter of Harold and Vivian Payne, Melissa is the mother of two children: Morgan Elyse and Terence Jr. to which she considers her best work ever.
Melissa taught at Salem Middle School where she retired after her 32nd year. She greatly enjoyed her vast experiences there. Her time there allowed her the opportunity to develop and enhance her content knowledge and pedagogy in English/Language Arts, History and Curriculum writing. Melissa's teaching experience exposed her to diverse populations and many different learning communities. She has always taken into consideration her integrity and ethical responsibility to her students and the community she served. Melissa believes these qualities have helped her become a successful teacher, mentor and now director. Her passion for education, strong content knowledge, and reflective leadership style have opened doors for other opportunities to benefit the youth.
Melissa's ambition and goals are to continue her education and to take on other leadership roles in curriculum writing and community relations. She is committed to ensuring that all students are educated equally and are afforded the same opportunities as suburban school districts.
Melissa truly enjoyed her experiences at Salem and is thankful for the impact she has been able to make on her students.
Melissa lives by the motto: Be a better friend to people than they are to you.
Her favorite quote is: "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." – Maya Angelou
Favorite Scripture as she is a Born-again Christian: Psalms 25:1-2, "Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul Oh my God I trust in thee Let me not be ashamed let not my enemies triumph over me."
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