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| Many young people, ages 16 to 25, are high school non-completers. There have often been problems which impacted that circumstance including: drugs, involvement in the juvenile justice system, young parenting challenges and teenage pregnancy, supervision by the Division of Youth and Family Services, shattered family structures, homelessness, and peer pressures. The time comes when a second chance is wanted. When the young person realizes the need to make changes in their life and also in their community it’s time to investigate enrolling in the New Jersey Youth Corps / Newark—Essex County at the International Youth Organization (IYO). When enrollees first enter the program, instructors assess their skills in various areas. Student candidates take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) in reading and math. For successful completion they musty test at or above the 8th grade level in reading. They must also meet WIA eligibility standards. During Orientation month an educational plan for GED test preparation is developed according to each individual’s needs. ***ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS*** The daily routine includes punching in every morning before 8:30 A.M. for morning meeting which may include physical activity and uniform inspection. This is followed by attending and participating in the Learning Center for 3 hours every day. Academic progress is monitored daily and retests are given periodically. There is also the chance to acquire life-long learning habits, practice public speaking skills, learn life management and work maturity skills, and make long term career plans in order to facilitate job placement. Staff sets up counseling and activities for participants. Corpsmembers who achieve competencies in employability skills benchmarks may be awarded an Employability Skills Certificate. This serves as recognition of the participant’s reliability as a potential trainee or employee. Corpsmembers successfully completing all program components may be rewarded for their service and hard work with various incentives to attend an accredited college, training school or to secure employment. N.J.Y.C. invites guest lecturers and takes the Corpsmembers on excursions to civic and cultural events, as well as visits to local businesses to show them career options. ***POSITIVE ATTITUDES SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES*** Corpsmembers are required to commit nine months to a year in service to others. For 3 to 4 hours every day, crews of 6 to 8 Corpsmembers accomplish service/work of real value to the community such as: graffiti removal, housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, feeding the hungry, clearing out abandoned buildings, working with the elderly and indisposed, hospital work, building renovations, landscaping, public parks beautification, mentoring, day care assistance for children as well as seniors. From time to time, Youth Corps schedules “Signature Projects” events where sometimes several programs may join together to work on a special project. They help make the Newark area a better community and receive a bi-weekly stipend. Youth Corps legislation was enacted by the state in 1984, inspired by the success of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s). Many other states began their corps after the National Service Act of 1990. Youth in the New Jersey Corps are: ۰ 3 times more likely to receive a high school diploma compared to traditional programs (22% vs. 8%) ۰ 5 times more likely to be placed in jobs training (37% vs. 8%) The philosophy of Corps is best expressed by the motto of N.J.Y.C. / Newark-Essex County; “Attitude, not Aptitude, determines Altitude.” |
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