Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced that the Youth Justice Commission (YJC), in conjunction with the Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee, has awarded grants totaling more than $533,780 to police departments, schools, and non-profit organizations across New Jersey to expand summer programs for at-risk youth.
The grants provide organizations already operating successful summer programs for at-risk youth with up to $30,000 in additional funding to enhance their programs and/or increase the number of young people they serve. This year, the grant program expanded to provide financial support to 21 organizations and government agencies in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren Counties.
“Giving young people access to new experiences and the opportunity to gain new skills helps pave the way toward better futures. It can also provide the kind of structure and support that have proven to reduce crime during summer breaks,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The Murphy Administration’s commitment to ensuring that New Jersey’s young people have the means to reach their potential is reflected in the funds announced today. And, I am grateful that the Youth Justice Commission remains able to invest in the most vulnerable of our young people.”
Funding for the grants comes from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, Title II Formula Grants Program, which supports state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and youth justice system improvements. The funds may be used to support state and local level initiatives, including but not limited to prevention, diversion, training, treatment, and system reform efforts.
“Young people who have more access to learning and growth opportunities are more likely to have successful futures,” said Dr. Jennifer LeBaron, Executive Director of the Youth Justice Commission. “These grants allow our community partners to help reduce the likelihood of young people becoming involved in the youth justice system by offering positive and engaging opportunities during the summer months when school is out.”
The following organizations were selected through a competitive application process in which members of the members of the JJDP Committee and YJC staff reviewed and scored each application submitted.
- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County ($30,000, Hudson County)
- Capital Harmony Works, Inc ($30,000, Mercer County)
- The Center for Prevention & Counseling, Inc. ($29,440.00, Sussex County)
- The City of Camden ($28,575.90, Camden County)
- The City of East Orange Department of Health and Human Services ($30,000.00, Essex County)
- Community Action Service Center ($23,900.00, Mercer County)
- Garden State Equality ($30,000.00.00, Monmouth County)
- Girls, Inc. ($29,997.00, Camden County)
- Glassboro Child Development Centers ($29,987.20, Gloucester County)
- The Hamilton Area YMCA ($30,000.00, Mercer County)
- Joseph Firth Youth Center ($27,196.32, Warren County)
- The Lower Township Police Department ($10,000.00, Cape May County)
- Maplewood Police Department ($5,100, Essex County)
- Middle Earth ($25,297.10, Somerset County)
- Middle Township Police Department ($8,256.38, Cape May County)
- Mighty Writers (North) ($29,019.00, Essex County)
- Mighty Writers (South) ($30,000.00, Atlantic County)
- New Community Corporation ($19,020.35, Essex County)
- Timbuk2 Academy ($29,886.00, Mercer County)
- Trenton Police Department ($29,724.00, Mercer County)
- United Community Corporation ($28,200.00, Essex County)
Established in 1995 as the Juvenile Justice Commission, the Youth Justice Commission serves as the single agency of State government with centralized authority for planning, policy development, and provision of services in the youth justice system. The YJC is committed to implementing and promoting policies and practices that improve outcomes for young people involved with the youth justice system, their families, and their communities.
The YJC’s three primary responsibilities are providing care, custody, and rehabilitative services to youth committed to the agency by the courts, supervising and coordinating services for youth released from custody on parole, and supporting local efforts to provide prevention and early intervention services to at-risk and court-involved youth.
Across a continuum of care, which includes secure care facilities, residential community homes, and community-based parole and transitional services, the YJC provides programming, supports, and opportunities designed to help youth grow and thrive and to become independent, productive, and law-abiding citizens.
