Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee
Awards $19,188 to Camden Center for Youth Development

TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee has awarded a grant to the Camden Center for Youth Development to address the needs of young people in the area of basic commerce and entrepreneurial principles. The award is in the amount of $19,188.

This Summer Expansion Program Grant is geared towards providing young people with entrepreneurial skills and experience, through the operation of a water ice business. Twenty students between 14 and 17 years old, will gain beneficial economic and business skills, by participating in loan applications and learning the value of the free market, during the six week program. Participants also earn payment for their work in their water ice businesses around Camden.

"Our summer entrepreneurial program allows our youth to make 'honest money'. They learn how to develop a business plan, market their business and work in partnerships; and then our youth sell water ices at nine different locations in Camden city. Working in their businesses allows our youth to develop higher order thinking skills," said Dr. Stella Horton, Executive Director, Camden Center for Youth Development, Inc.

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 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 arm of the JJC's Office of Local Programs and Services.

For more information on the JJC, please visit www.njjjc.com