In June 2021, The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has awarded $5.3 million in grants to 13 organizations to help disconnected, out-of-school youth reengage in education, training and employment through the Youth Corps Program. This year three new grantees were funded including the United Way of Greater Union County.
“We are proud to invest in these young workers and help foster long and sustainable career paths,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “The relationships cultivated through the Youth Corps program are instrumental in helping to develop life skills, self-esteem, and a career portfolio for these participants.”
New Jersey Youth Corps is a legislatively mandated program that has existed for more than 35 years. The year-round, voluntary program engages young adults, ages 16 to 25, in full-time community service, training, and educational activities. Guided by staff who serve as mentors and role models, teams of youth called "crews" carry out a wide range of service projects.
Three new grantees were funded in FY22, which will expand Youth Corps services in Atlantic, Union and Essex counties.
These three new partners are: JEVS Human Services, United Way of Greater Union County, and Leaders for Life, respectively. This also marks the first time Atlantic and Essex counties will have more than one program operating concurrently.
Funding has also been awarded to the following longtime partners:
- The Work Group (Camden)
- Vineland City School District
- Town of Phillipsburg
- Project Self-Sufficiency of Sussex County
- New Jersey City University
- New Brunswick City School District
- Paterson City School District
- Atlantic County Government
- Interational Youth Organization (Essex)
- Mercer County Community College
New Jersey Youth Corps funding was made available through the state Annual Appropriations Act, Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) state set-aside, and a supplemental amount made available to NJDOL by the Department of Human Services (DHS) pursuant to 45 CFR 260 et seq.
For more information, please visit New Jersey Youth Corps on our website: https://nj.gov/labor/career-services/special-services/youth/njyouthcorps.shtml.