Prevention

Performing Arts Program

Program: Union County Performing Arts Program Agency: Institute of Music for Children

Address: 780 Salem Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07208
Telephone: (908) 469-1211
Fax: (908) 353-5614
Contact Person: Alysia Souder, Executive Director
Email: info@instituteofmusic.org

Service Description: The Institute of Music for Children’s afterschool and Summer programs will provide Union County pre-teens and teens, ages 8-18, with delinquency prevention services including: instruction in performing arts (voice, drama, dance, spoken word), instrumental music (guitar, drums, piano, harp violin, cello), and/or multi-media (electric music or video production), with a focus on sustained motivation, regular attendance, at-home practice, and public performance.

Target Population: Union County youth between the ages of 8-18.

Points of Continuum: Prevention and Diversion

Hours: Fall, Winter, and Spring: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 4:30pm-8:00pm; Friday: 4:45pm-9:30pm; Saturday: 9:30am-3:00pm.  Summer: Monday-Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm

Youth can be referred by: Families and Community Members


Mentoring and Youth Development

Program: Union County Mentoring & Youth Development

Program Agency: Communities in Cooperation, Inc. Address: 1025 John Street, Linden, NJ 07036 with three Union County Mentoring Hub-sites 1)Linden 2) Elizabeth 3) Plainfield

Telephone: (908) 290-3107
Fax: (908) 718-5889
Contact Person: Pamela B. Jones, CEO
Email: cicpamelajones@comcast.net

Service Description: Using fun activities and interactive group methods, youth and their mentors engage to ensure mentoring does not occur by chance. This program is a comprehensive youth development initiative with group, individual peer-to-peer mentoring occasionally involving parent participation with a connection to any needed family resources. Role models are integrated into the process to help youth formatively focus on their future (careers and lifestyles). By using evidence-based curriculums, youth have the opportunity to improve pro-social behaviors, individual differences in thinking, reasoning, decision making and their self-esteem. Additionally, youth are equipped with tools for team building using group activities to assist in their positive development. The sessions are, at a minimum, one hour per week, year-round, with a minimum of 26 weeks of participation required in a calendar year to complete the program.

Target Population: At-risk youth in Union County (8 to 16 years of age), with no involvement in the Juvenile Justice System

Point of Continuum: Prevention

Hours: Plainfield Location: Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:30pm; Elizabeth Fridays: 6:00pm-8:00pm; Roselle/Linden Locations: Thursdays 5:00pm-6:30pm

(based on closings and other facility scheduling needs, the days and times listed are subject to change)

Youth can be referred by: Schools, Government Agencies, Police Departments, Community and Faith-Based Organizations and Local Libraries