TRENTON
- The New Jersey Governor’s Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP)
Committee has awarded a grant to the Family
Guidance Center of Warren County to address
the needs of young people who find it
difficult to get a job due to their age.
The award is in the amount of $18,000.
This Summer Program Grant is created to
provide students ages 14 and 15 with jobs
that they normally could not hold, because
of their age. The program, entitled “Bumper
2 Bumper Automotive Care,” serves
young people from Warren County who are
interested in the car detailing business.
During the 11-week program, the students
participate in team meetings to review
the business’ progress and strategies,
as well as participate in mental health
and substance abuse counseling. Participants
of this program also learn vocational,
interviewing, and resume building skills,
that will assist them in their future
job endeavors.
“We
are very pleased and fortunate to continue
our relationship with the JJDP Committee.
The continued funding for our summer employment
program will give the kids of the Warren
Hills school district the opportunity
to again participate in our summer employment
program. This support provides the kids
the opportunity to have a summer job and
a safe place to be during the summer,
with trips and activities also included.
Kids in our area are left with few outlets
for recreation activities during the summer;
this is now available for them, along
with the chance for a summer job,”
Howard Grossman, Executive Director, Family
Guidance Center of Warren County.
“This
is really fantastic! We are truly grateful
to the JJC for their support and advocacy
on behalf of all of the children we serve,”
said Phillip Rusche, Project Director,
Bumper 2 Bumper Automotive Care Program.
The Juvenile Justice Commission(JJC),
as the designated planning authority for
the allocation of federal grant funds,
works with the JJDP Committee to identify
appropriate youth-serving programs, award
funds and monitor their success. The JJDP
Committee is responsible for the distribution
of more than $3 million in federal grant
awards annually to local and state agencies.
The JJDP Committee reviews proposals for
programs that aim to reduce delinquency
and/or seek to create local delinquency
prevention strategies. Programs that receive
funding work with individuals, families
and communities to reduce the risk factors
associated with delinquency. Programs
that demonstrate success are eligible
for continued funding for a maximum of
three consecutive years.
The JJC is committed to helping local
communities address the specific needs
of their young people. It is important
to allow these young people a chance to
engage in positive programs that keep
them on the right track during the summer
months,” said Howard L. Beyer, Executive
Director, JJC. We know that the earlier
we reach out to children, the better chance
we have of ensuring that they lead productive
lives.
Created in 1995 to bring together services
for delinquent young people, the JJC is
the single state agency responsible for
providing juvenile correctional rehabilitation
and parole services. The JJC also funds
local prevention programs that divert
young people from involvement in the juvenile
justice system.
The project is monitored by staff from
the Program Development and Prevention
Services section of the JJC’s Office
of Local Programs and Services.
For more information on the JJC, please
visit www.njjjc.com.