Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh guided twelve members of the Greater Union County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America through a hands-on civics exercise last month. The lesson was designed to provide the students with a realistic experience of being an elected representative in local government.
“This was an enthusiastic, engaged group of young people who are well on their way to becoming leaders in their community and beyond,” said Jalloh. “They gave up a Saturday to learn more about the processes that go into governing, and it was truly a privilege to work with them.”
The students visited the Freeholder Board offices in downtown Elizabeth and then held a mock session in the Meeting Room. They discussed the need for road repair in the public part of the exercise and adjourned to the conference room to debate the issue in executive session.
“We used road repair as a jumping-off point because it is a basic public service that benefits everyone and doesn’t seem controversial on its face,” said Freeholder Jalloh. “However, when it came to budgeting for the project, the students found that there are no easy decisions.”
Jack and Jill of America is a national organization that works to provide students with family-centered cultural, social, educational and civic activities while raising consciousness of African heritage. The Greater Union County Chapter traces its beginnings to 1984.
Photo Caption – Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh (center) guided twelve members of the Greater Union County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America through a civics exercise in the Freeholder Meeting Room in downtown Elizabeth last month. (photo: GUCC Jack and Jill of America)
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