RELEASE: July 8, 2002

Previous Screen

In an effort to keep middle school children safe, occupied and out of trouble, Governor James E. McGreevey recently awarded $170,984 in grants to 20 agencies that will establish after-school programs designed for older children.

"We are targeting middle school children with these grants because the majority of existing after-school programs are geared toward younger students," said Governor McGreevey. "We need to provide positive alternatives for middle school students who would otherwise go home alone with no adult supervision or direction."

The grants will be funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS), which monitors the quality and quantity of child care programs in New Jersey. DHS Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris said the 20 agencies -- which include community-based organizations, child care centers, and public and private schools -- will receive up to $10,000 to cover costs such as staff recruitment and training, curriculum development, equipment and supplies, and minor building renovations.

The after school programs must serve at least 25 students in grades 5 through 9 and remain open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The programs will offer academic exercises, recreational opportunities, field trips, and voluntary community service activities.

"We want to give these students not only a place to go, but a place to grow," Commissioner Harris said. "These programs should help children become better students and, ultimately, better citizens by introducing them to a wide range of academic and civic exercises."

The national organization Fight Crime: Invest In Kids recommends after-school programs as an effective way to help curb juvenile crime. On school days, the peak hours for juvenile crime are from 3 to 6 p.m., the hours immediately following the end of the school day. Those are also the hours when kids are most likely to be victims of crime.

Following is a list of the grant awardees:

Agency/School County Amount

PALS @ Croton Corner Hunterdon $10,000

YWCA of Essex and West Hudson Essex $10,000

M. L. King Academy for Youth and

Community Outreach Cumberland $ 7,956

Temple Community Development Corp. Union $ 7,000

Patrick F. Healy Middle School Essex $ 8,014

Resurrection School Hudson $ 6,309

Westfield "Y" Union $ 5,515

Borough of North Arlington Bergen $10,000

Iliff's Camps and Clinics Sussex $10,000

CUMAC/Echo Inc. Passaic $10,000

Bergenfield Assembly of God,

The After School Alternative Bergen $10,000

South Brunswick Community Education Middlesex $ 7,003

Ventnor Middle School Atlantic $10,000

Tri-County Community Action Agency Cumberland $ 1,706

New Millenium Educational Center Hudson $10,000

Carousel Learning Center Burlington $10,000

East Brunswick Board of Education Middlesex $10,000

Mercer Street Friends Mercer $ 8,867

Love Center Day Care Essex $ 8,614

Holland Middle School Mercer $10,000