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For Immediate Release:  
For Further Information Contact:
September 2, 2005

Office of The Attorney General
- Peter C. Harvey, Attorney General
Juvenile Justice Commission
- Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director

 

Sharon Lauchaire
609-292-2288

 

Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee Awards $20,000 to the Abilities Center of Southern NJ

TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee has awarded a grant to the Abilities Center of Southern NJ to address employment options for disabled and/or disadvantaged youth from Camden City, Deptford, and Paulsboro. The award is in the amount of $20,000.

This is a Summer Expansion Program Grant, which is designed to increase job readiness and to enhance recreation and cultural activities for young people. Ten disabled and/or disadvantaged young people participate in job readiness workshops, mock interviews and resume preparation, supervised field trips, and area recreational and cultural activities. During the six week program, the students attend school in the morning and work in the afternoon. The school curriculum focuses on an introduction to the work force, making career decisions, proper work behaviors, interview skills, and obtaining and keeping a job.

“Abilities Center of Southern NJ’s summer youth program provides an array of activities to students with disabilities that normally would be without such opportunities in the summer. Thanks to the JJC, this program provides a transition service between school and work for students from more disadvantaged school districts, and supports approximately half of the students attending,” said Jim Kneubuehl, Director of Education and Employment Services of the Abilities Center of Southern NJ.

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.

“These young people participate in paid work experiences at local businesses as well as community and recreational trips. The students learn new work skills and practice appropriate social behavior. Bottom line, they have fun in the summer while improving their self sufficiency and job readiness,” continued Kneubuehl.

The JJC is committed to helping local communities address the specific needs of their young people. We are proud to be part of a partnership that takes a proactive approach to help adolescents and their families,” 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.

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