MEDIA ADVISORYContact: Teresa Ruiz

November 18, 2003973-621-4404

Caryl Lucas

973-621-1590

ESSEXCOUNTYEXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO COMMENDS VOLUNTEERS

FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT ESSEXCOUNTY

JUVENILEDETENTIONCENTER

PROGRAM PROVIDES MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Newark, NJ –Their mission is to challenge juvenile offenders from EssexCounty to turn their lives around. While many of these volunteers come from different walks of life, it is the EssexCountyJuvenileDetentionCenter that brings them together for a common cause: to save the youth.

On Saturday, November 22, 2003, County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. will join the new Essex County Division of Youth Services Director Ronald Salahuddin,and a host of clergyfrom throughout EssexCounty,to honor volunteers and mentorswho serve at the EssexCountyJuvenileDetentionCenter.The Volunteer/MentorAppreciation Day will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. at the facility, 80 Duryea Street in Newark.

“We’re saying thanks to a dedicated group of people who epitomize the true meaning of public service,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

“Our volunteer program shows what government and the community can do when we work together as partners to help others.”

Rev. Dennis Hughes, head chaplain at the EssexCountyJuvenileDetentionCenter, described the volunteersas the “backbone” of the facility, which currently houses 271 offenders, ages 11 to 18. He said more than 60 churches, representing a true ecumenical network, participate in the DetentionCenter’s Volunteer/Mentor Program.

Established in 1995, the pilot program grew out of an initiative that challenged local churches to “adopt” a youth in an effort to provide detainees with mentors. Today, volunteers come from across the County and State to offer hope to juveniles and provide them with some practical lessons on how to succeed in life.

“We have members and clergy from many churches with prison ministries volunteering at our Center,” said Hughes, explaining how volunteers, law enforcement officers, lawyers, educators, postal workers and entrepreneurs volunteer to serve as mentors, tutors and counselors. “Our volunteer’s concerns may be the only expression of love some of these offenders ever see and, for some of our youth, our volunteers are the only visitors theyhave,” he added.

Through the volunteer and mentors program, juvenile offenders participate in a variety of recreational activities and self improvement workshops and also receive spiritual and academic counseling. The program offers golf, martial arts, computer and chess classes.

Lisa Weathers, the DetentionCenter’s recreational specialist and outreach coordinator, called the volunteers “peacemakers,” who deserve to be recognized for their service. “This is our jubilee day,” she added.

During the Appreciation Day ceremony,the following awards will be presented:

Earl Cunningham, a member of Love of Jesus Church in Orange, will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. He has been a volunteer for the past five yearsat theDetentionCenter. Cunningham spends 40 hours-a-week, tutoring defenders at the Center’s SojournerHigh School. Cunningham, a Westwood resident, is known for his kind spirit and willingness to counsel youth.

Kenneth Brown, a Hillside resident and United States postal worker, will receive the Mentor of the Year Award. He has been a volunteer for the past three years and mentors several youths at theCenter. On any given day, Brown, who runs the prison ministry at the Echo Lake Church of Christ in Westfield, can be found counseling juvenile offenders and playing basketball with them.

Bill Kozar, a mechanical engineer from Pompton Plains, will receive a Special Recognition Award for his work as a volunteer tutor at the Center’s SojournHigh School. Kozar, who has been a volunteer for the past three years, has been instrumental in helping many juvenile defenders set new academic goals and obtain their GEDs. Known as the “book man,” he conducts book drivesto benefit theCenter.

Barbara James, an Orange resident will receive a Special RecognitionAwardfor her undying commitment to helping youths at the DetentionCenter. She has been a volunteer for the past five years and conducts Sunday School classes for juvenile offenders. James is the vice principal of Mt.VernonElementary School in Newark.

Evangelist Sara Ryan, an Irvington resident will receive a Special RecognitionAward for her dedication and service at the DetentionCenter. She conducts morning worship service and serve Communion on the first Sunday of every month. Rain or shine, she makes it her business to coordinate a beauty day for female detainees on the fourth Saturday of every month. She has been a volunteer since 1995, following in her mother’s footsteps.

The Newark Church of Christ will be presented with the Church of the Year Award for its tremendous community outreach efforts at the Center. Members of the church’s prison ministry are among the dedicated volunteers who also serve as mentors at the Center.

The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, also know as SPAN, will receive the Organization of the Year Award for its outstanding work at theCenter. SPAN, which is a Newark-based advocacy group, provides a variety of support services for volunteers and staff at the detention center. SPAN also coordinates workshops focusing on life skills for juvenile defenders.

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