New Jersey’s AmeriCorps and VISTA programs were selected to pilot test a Summer of Service in 2007 to engage young people in community service and other enrichment activities. The Corporation for National and Community Service asked New Jersey to test the concept of Neighborhood Youth Service Clubs as part of an exploration of a nation-wide Summer of Service in 2008. Programs were quickly developed in partnership with key agencies in Newark, Camden, and Trenton, and during the summer over 300 young people, ages 8 to 14, were involved.
In Newark, the lead agencies were Newark Emergency Services for Families and the Newark Board of Education. Activities were provided on-site at the Newark YMCA and Harmony House for the children of homeless families served by these shelters. Another key partner was The League, a program which promotes student service. In Trenton, HomeFront, a major agency serving homeless families was the lead agency. In Camden, CPAC, Community Planning and Advocacy Council, was the coordinating agency and deployed its AmeriCorps members with the Police Athletic League and other community programs.
Gloria Sokolowski, the Corporation State Office Director for New Jersey, identified these key agencies, which are part of the AmeriCorps VISTA family. “We are so pleased that AmeriCorps VISTA was able to play such an important role for disadvantaged youth this summer. We look forward to expanding our efforts in 2008.”
The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education was asked to provide an evaluation of the initiative, and it developed a series of pre- and post-tests for the AmeriCorps and VISTA members, the children who were served, and the executives of the coordinating agencies. The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission served as the administrative lead agency for the program, and developed contracts to bring the service sites on board in a very short timeframe.
The young people from the Newark program have developed a group called “Voices of Newark,” and have spoken about their city, the value of their community service, and their aspirations for the future. State AmeriCorps staff brought the group to visit the State House in Trenton and to reflect on their service. New Jersey intends to apply for future funding from the Corporation as it moves forward with a nation-wide Summer of Service in 2008.
