Juveniles spend summer working with Camden Riversharks

Juveniles will conclude the program at Wednesday's 12:00 noon home Riversharks Game.

CAMDEN - The Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) recently awarded a $30,000 grant aimed at providing entrepreneurial opportunities to young people in the City of Camden. The grants awarded by the Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee which is part of the JJC, to the Juvenile Resource Center, Inc. helps at-risk juveniles learn important business skills during the summer months when they might otherwise be getting into trouble.

"The Juvenile Justice Commission is committed to helping our communities provide opportunities and entrepreneurial experiences for youth to help prevent delinquency and create a brighter future," said Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director. "Camden County sends more delinquent youth to the Commission than any other county in the state and we recognize that urban centers such as Camden need resources to help create opportunity for their youth."

The Juvenile Resource Center, Inc. received $30,000 to partner with the Camden Riversharks to provide vending services at Campbell's field and at other locations in downtown Camden. Twenty five youth participated in the program which ran for seven weeks. The Juvenile Resource Center (JRC) serves students in Camden City and the County's public schools. Juveniles are referred to the JRC by the Family Court and the Division of Youth and Family Services. For many youth, the JRC offers an alternative to detention and incarceration.

In the first phase of the program students received classroom instruction for two weeks where they learned basic business and entrepreneurial principles. In the second phase, they youth sold food products including rice and beans and candy items at the minor league baseball games.

Dr. Stella J. Horton, Executive Director of the Juvenile Resource Center applauded the Juvenile Justice Commission for providing funding for the Summer Expansion Grants. She said, "The excitement of the JRC young entrepreneurs is evident everyday as they greet their customers. The youth have become comfortable in working together and they have learned that if any problems arise, they can come to staff, during their business meetings that are held daily, for assistance in working it out."

"The Riversharks are happy to help these young people and provide an opportunity to improve self esteem and self worth. We are glad to participate and be a small part of the JJC and JRC commitment," said Camden Riversharks General Manager John Brandt.

The Juvenile Justice Commission, through the JJDP, recently awarded a total of $420,000 to 20 programs throughout the state to fund summer programs for youth.

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