MONROE
TOWNSHIP - The New Jersey Juvenile Justice
Commission (JJC) today held its annual high
school commencement ceremony at the New
Jersey Training School (NJTS) in Monroe
Township. Rev. Dr. William Howard, the pastor
of the Bethany Baptist Church in Newark,
was the keynote speaker for the commencement
ceremony. Shavar Jeffries, Special Counsel
to the Attorney General, addressed the graduates
on behalf of the Attorney General. Veleria
N. Lawson, Executive Director of the Juvenile
Justice Commission, presented 75 graduates
with their high school diplomas issued by
their local school districts or the State
of New Jersey. An additional 70 students
received their diplomas over the course
of the year and have since been released
from JJC supervision.
Two graduates received $1,000.00 scholarships
awarded by the New Jersey Association of
County Youth Services Commission Administrators.
The funds are provided directly to the educational
institution where the graduates are accepted.
The scholarships were presented by Christine
Rose, Somerset County Youth Services Commission
Administrator and Co-chair of the Association.
All graduates have met the high school graduation
requirements set forth by the New Jersey
Department of Education. The JJC coordinates
each student’s curricula with his
or her home school to allow the student
to receive a diploma from his or her local
education authority. Students receiving
their diplomas come from NJTS, Juvenile
Medium Security Facility (JMSF), the Female
Secure and Intake Facility, and several
of the JJC’s 22 residential community
homes and day programs located throughout
the State.
JJC
2008 Graduation
“The
New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission has
a challenging job - to turn around the lives
of troubled young people and give them the
tools they need to succeed. A high school
diploma is not just a piece of paper. It
is an achievement that provides the students
with a sense of accomplishment and self-worth
that will help them succeed throughout their
lives,” said Executive Director Lawson.
"Education is the foundation of the
Juvenile Justice Commission. A high school
diploma will open more doors for young people
than almost anything else that we can give
them. By realizing each youth’s individual
potential, we can change his or her future."
Juveniles are placed with the JJC by the
courts. Students are evaluated upon entry
to the JJC and are placed in academic classes
according to their abilities in each area.
The JJC coordinates students’ studies
with sending school districts. For those
returning back to school from the JJC, this
coordination ensures that students return
to their home schools at the same place
as their classmates.
In addition to the core curriculum, JJC
students are instructed in gang awareness,
respect and dignity, physical education
and various career & technical education
programs.
The JJC employs more than 400 teachers,
child study team personnel and support staff.
These professionals provide state-of-the-art
instruction to students in JJC programs,
juvenile county detention centers, and community-based
programs throughout the state.
For more information on the JJC, please
visit www.njjjc.com.
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