Department of Human Services

BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – Hundreds of Brick teens launched their summer by listening to six local bands at concert that raised $1,100 to help babies. The VOICES (Volunteer Opportunities in Community Enrichment) Program, part of the Department of Human Services’ School-Based Youth Services Program (SYBSP, joined with Brick MAC (Municipal Alliance Committee) Youth Club to hold the concert as a fundraiser to help raise public awareness of the state’s Safe Haven program.

The New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act allows parents to leave a child at a local hospital or police department without punitive consequences.

“Not many people know enough about Safe Haven. Too many girls who are pregnant with unwanted children don’t know about it. We need to get word out to them, and the money raised by these young people will go toward publicizing this program,” said Leisha Thompson of Brick Township, director of the SYBSP that is housed in Brick Township Memorial High School. “The students were very proud that they were able to raise $1100 for children’s Safe Haven,” said Thompson.

The concert, held before the summer break in the Brick Township Recreation Center, featured six local bands created by teens from both high schools. The bands were: Wake, Last Release, Borne Identity, DOUBLESPEAK, Kid Go Home, and Almost Experts. The audience of about 230 included students from both Brick Township HS and Brick Township Memorial HS, and their parents, grandparents, families and friends.

VOICES coordinator Michael Proto, of Whiting, who is also the career counselor for the school-based program, oversaw the production. Band member Steve Hackett, soon entering college to study music, worked with Brick MAC coordinator Andrea Zapcic, to procure the bands and screen the lyrics so that the songs would not be offensive. Zapcic has asked him to put together two more shows for the end of summer with these bands, which are “garage bands” formed by the students themselves. Some have their own demo CD's.

“It was such an experience! The kids were so polite and so well behaved to the bands. It was so organized, and each band helped one another. They donated their time to do this,” said Thompson.

During the past several years, the VOICES grant has encouraged teens who attend SYBSP to raise money for the local soup kitchen, conduct a coat drive for the homeless, and last year, collect items for a full Thanksgiving dinner for a homeless family. They have raised money for the Ocean County women’s shelter and held a bowl-a-thon to benefit Harbor House -- a shelter for runaway kids in Toms River.

For information about the NJ Safe Haven for Infants program, call 877-839-2339.

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SIDEBAR: [The following sidebar describes the School-Based Youth Service Program, which operates under the Division of Planning and Special Initiatives in DHS.]

“We’re so proud of the kids that we work with,” explained Leisha Thompson, director of the School-Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) that runs out of the Brick Township Memorial High School building. “Kids are referred to us by a teacher, or on their own will seek us out as a resource when they need someone to talk to. We offer drop-in services, have a guidance counselor and social worker on hand, so when a teen is having a bad day and needs some guidance, we are there for them.” The School-Based Youth Services Program is offered to everyone in the school, “not just the so-called ‘bad’ kids” said Thompson.

This is the fourth year for the SBYSP in Brick. It serves teens ages 13 to 18 or 19 years old, with mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, and career counseling, plus a recreational component and an on-site health educator. The SYBSP’s Career Group teaches teens how to go on a successful job interview, create their own resume, fill out a job application, learn the appropriate work dress code, develop good phone skills, etc.

“We sent flyers to all homes of 8th graders to tell them about our Summer Program, created to help ease their anxiety about entering high school,” explained Thompson. “Each week a different group of eighth graders comes to tour their high school, learn what to do in such big building, and become familiar with some of the staff. Then during the school year if they need help, at least they know us! The Summer Program is FREE and features a different activity and learning experience each day. Topics include self-esteem, stress management, substance abuse, and careers. There is a ROPES course to create teamwork, learn how to communicate and ask for help, achieve and overcome obstacles, build trust… great learning experience.

For information about School-Based Youth Services Programs, check the New Jersey State website at http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/sp&i/schoolbased.html

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