Flowers and Vegetables for Sale
- Residents of Southern Residential Community Home begin entrepreneurial venture -

EGG HARBOR - Residents of the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission's (JJC) Southern Residential Community Home are now selling flowers and vegetables to residents of the Egg Harbor area. Annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and houseplants are now available.

Flowers will be on sale Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the greenhouse at Southern Residential Community Home located at 800 A Buffalo Avenue, Egg Harbor City. Items include: marigolds, celosia, petunias, coleus, amaranth, millet, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and many more.

Prices are as follows:

A full tray/flat which includes from 32-48 plants $8.00
Individual plants $1.25
4" pots of annuals and houseplants $1.00
5" pots of annuals and houseplants $1.25
6" assorted planters $5.00
8" hanging baskets $6.00
10" hanging baskets $8.00
2 gallon pot of cannas $5.00

"The juveniles participating in this program have made mistakes. This initiative allows them to provide a service to their community while at the same time develop entrepreneurial skills. These tools will increase the likelihood that these young people will lead productive lives when they return home instead of returning to the correctional system," said Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission. "The business skills that these young people learn can be applied to any retail job, and the experience they gain makes them more attractive to future employers."

Horticulture is a year-round vocational activity that is provided under the supervision of a certified teacher. Students grow the items, often from seed, and nurture the pants until they are ready for sale. Students are responsible for all aspects of the stand operation including working with supervisors to order and price the produce, operate a cash box and maintain financial records, and market the stand. Students are expected to apply math skills, reading, nutrition concepts and business skills. They will learn how these skills relate to operating a successful small business while learning to appreciate the values of hard work, responsibility and education. Funds raised through this effort will be used for educational and recreational activities for the residents.

Southern Residential Community Home is one of 22 community programs operated by the JJC for delinquent juveniles who have been placed in the custody of the JJC by the New Jersey Family Court system. The facility serves a maximum of 34 male juveniles who are between the ages of 15 and 19 at the time of admission. Residents have been part of a program that allows them to sell flowers and plants to state employees. Now, the program is being expanded to include residents of the community.

The young people participating in this program are lower level offenders or are preparing to return to their communities at the completion of their sentences. Juveniles are supervised by trained staff at all times.

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