|
MONROE
TWP. – The New Jersey Training School
(NJTS), the Juvenile Justice Commission’s
(JJC) largest secure facility, has formed
a Leo club, a youth organization sponsored
by the Lions Clubs International. A group
of residents began exploring the opportunity
in March, and their local sponsor, the Cranbury
Lions Club, chartered the new club, inducting
18 residents on June 9, 2011. The club meets
twice a month to plan service projects that
benefit both NJTS and the neighboring communities.
The
Cranbury Lions Club has had a strong relationship
with the NJTS that dates back to the1930s.
The NJTS was first designated as a Lions
district project, and in 1955, became the
first statewide project of the Lions Multiple
District 16, which represents the State
of New Jersey. A committee, representing
each of the five districts in the state,
meets several times a year to discuss projects
at NJTS and oversees the funds that the
Lions designate for the facility. Over the
years, the Lions have generously donated
equipment for the NJTS eyeglass lab, awarded
scholarships, refurbished the swimming pool,
purchased embroidery and sign making equipment,
and donated sports equipment. Cranbury Lions
Club members regularly visit and interact
with residents as mentors. Residents wishing
to maintain a connection to the Lions organization
after they leave the NJTS are connected
to Leo or Lions club members in their communities.
“The
Juvenile Justice Commission sincerely appreciates
the generous support of the Lions Clubs
International. Their financial support has
allowed the JJC to help our residents prepare
to be productive members of their communities.
Additionally, the Cranbury Lions Club members
have dedicated their time and service directly
to the residents of the New Jersey Training
School impacting countless young lives,”
said Dr. Gloria Hancock, Acting Executive
Director. “The Cranbury Lions Club
members willingness to work with youth placed
in the juvenile justice system is commendable.”
”The
heart of the Leo program is to provide opportunities
and leadership skills for youth, and to
discover the rewards of serving the community,”
said Fay Kobland, Cranbury Lions member,
NJTS committee member, and Leo advisor.
“Our hope is that community service
becomes a lifelong mission for these young
men. Not only has the new Leo club provided
a true service to the neighboring communities,
but working with the Leo club members has
been a rewarding experience for our Lions
members.”
Due
to the fluid nature of the juvenile correctional
facility, new members are added monthly
based on interest and positive behavior
as current members move back into the community
or are transferred to other JJC facilities.
As the club has grown, membership has been
opened to all NJTS residents demonstrating
positive behavior. The members of the club
have designated officers and are responsible
for chairing meetings, taking notes, and
leading projects.
“The
New Jersey Training School is very fortunate
to have the support of an active local Lions
club,” said Greg Ackels, assistant
superintendent, NJTS. “Over the years,
many residents have benefited from the generosity
and personal commitment of the Cranbury
Lions members. With their continued help,
our residents are giving back to the community
in coordination with the mission of the
Lions Clubs International and the Leo clubs.”
Community
service projects adopted by the club members
coincide with the Leo Clubs objective, ”…to
provide the youth of the world with an opportunity
for development and contribution, individually
and collectively, as responsible members
of the local, national and international
community.”
The
Leo club recently held a Thanksgiving bake
sale raising about $500.00 for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association. The members have
also designing "pick me up" cards
for residents of The Gardens of Monroe Nursing
Home.
The
club has designated several future projects.
One upcoming project would allow residents
to design and produce wooden pens for the
Freedom Pen Project through the facility's
wood working vocational program. This national
program donates pens to soldiers stationed
overseas. In conjunction with the NJTS's
sign shop, the residents also hope to design
a logo for the Cranbury Lions 80th anniversary
that will be use on t-shirts. As part of
the Lions Clubs International’s goal
to plant a million trees this year, the
Leo Club members are identifying trees and
designing a horticulture plan that includes
maintaining shrubbery and flowers on the
grounds of NJTS.
The
first Leo club was started in 1957 by a
Lions club member, who coached baseball
at Abington High School in Pennsylvania.
That club established the Leo acronym –
Leadership, Equality, Opportunity. Later,
“equality” was changed to “experience”.
In October 1967, the board of directors
of Lions Clubs International adopted the
Leo Club Program as an official program
of the association. Community service remains
the cornerstone of the program. Today there
are 5,700 Leo clubs worldwide.
### |
