Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee
Awards $18,000 to Newark Public Schools

TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee has awarded a grant to the Newark Public Schools to address the needs of young people in transition from school to the world of work, college, or other post-secondary training. The award is in the amount of $18,000.

This Summer Expansion Grant allows ten Newark Public School students, ages 14 to 17, to engage in an entrepreneurial experience. During the five week program, the students operate a farm stand, which provides Newark City residents with affordable nutritious foods. Participants acquire important business skills such as, customer relations, team work, conflict resolution and record keeping, through the program's three components of work-based learning, school based-learning, and connecting activities.

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 JJDP Committee has provided the students of the Newark Public Schools the wonderful opportunity of owning and operating their own business. The Newark Public Schools Youth Farmstand Project allows our students to learn valuable entrepreneurial skills, put into practice the academic skills learned during the school year and assist the community by supplying nutritious, Jersey fresh produce to low income mothers, their children and seniors. The students are viewed in such a positive light by the community, their peers and most importantly by themselves!" said Project Director Jennifer Mitchell, Newark Public Schools.

"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