Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee
Awards $12,151 to Hopeworks 'N Camden

TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee has awarded a grant to Hopeworks 'N Camden to enable young people at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system in Camden City to acquire sought after technical skills and help finding a job. The award is in the amount of $12,151.

This Summer Expansion Program grant allows 27 young people from Camden to use technology to gain employment. The program offers two tracks, Hope Through School and Summer Geographic Information Services (GIS). The Hope Through School program trains students in various computer applications and Web site development, and guarantees them an after school job upon successful completion of the program. In the Summer GIS program, students learn the process of map making and land surveying to prepare for neighborhood revitalization possibilities. Three of the students from this program will be selected to work at Hopeworks' GIS business. Both programs encourage participants to seek employment within their neighborhoods and communities.

"Through the JJDP Committee Summer Expansion Program, Hopeworks has been able to hire 12 young people to work on a survey project in our GIS program and enroll 15 youth in our Hope Through School program. Camden youth are flourishing at Hopeworks because of your generosity. Many, many thanks!" said Kathleen Deitch, Formation Director, Hopeworks 'N' Camden.

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 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 JJC Executive Director Howard L. Beyer. "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