The Research:
Youth from low income families are twice as likely to drop out of school than children from middle-income families and 10.5 times more likely than students from high-income families.

In the adult criminal system, 82% of prison inmates have dropped out of high school.

Family socioeconomic status is associated with early sexual intercourse. Adolescents from families with higher income and higher education levels are less likely to be sexually experienced than those from families with lower incomes and less education.

Our Response:
The At-Risk Youth Initiative was established to invest in programs that address several specific needs of youth in Camden County aged 7-18. By 2010 we promise to help 2,500 youth become academically successful, 600 youth live substance free, 1,250 youth be law abiding and 800 youth avoid early parenthood.

The Programs:
Camden Aquarium Urban Science Enrichment (CAUSE), NJ Academy for Aquatic Sciences, Inc.
CAUSE Junior Staff is a year-round program of science education and paid employment for at-risk youth in Camden and Pennsauken, focused on addressing youths' emotional and social needs, as well as academic and financial needs.

Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (CMR), Steininger Behavioral Care Services, Inc.
CMR provides a quick response when a parent, caregiver, or other interested adult is concerned about a child's behavior, academic performance, or emotional well being. They work with the child and family to identify and implement needed services and interventions in a timely and collaborative manner to address and improve the presenting issues.

Comprehensive Adjustment Program (C.A.P), Genesis Counseling Center, Inc
The C.A.P program provides a one-stop transition program for parolees/probationers who would have otherwise been reincarcerated. The program provides drug/alcohol education and treatment, alternative high school education, life skills training, job readiness training, sex education, cooperative education credits, and linkage to apprenticeship programs.

Hispanic Mentoring Initiative, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Camden & Gloucester Counties
This initiative will provide positive, one-to-one mentors for at-risk Hispanic youth in Camden County, through a collaboration with The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ. A bi-lingual staff will recruit, screen and train volunteers to serve as mentors for this population.

Hope Through School, Hopeworks 'N Camden
This program serves in-school youth ages 14-18, combining technology training, literacy development, mentoring and jobs. The eight-week basic training program will develop the youth's proficiency in computer usage, Internet, e-mail, and web-site design. Based on performance and progress youth can advance to earn an hourly wage.

Mary Esther Williams Homework Centers, Woodland Community Development (WCDC)
This program offer tutorial assistance for youth ages 5-14 at local Camden City schools weekdays from 3:00pm-6:00pm, plus during school holidays and two Saturdays per month. Activities include academic tutorial assistance, drug prevention programs, parenting classes to participating youths' parents, art therapy and field trips.

SERV (Services Empowering Rape Victims) in Schools, Center for Family Services, Inc
This program will deal with gender-specific and relational issues empowering young people to make better decisions and build appropriate, supportive relationships. SERV in Schools will also focus on sexual responsibility, sexual harassment, non-stranger rape, and drug-facilitated rape awareness programs.

StreetLeaders Program, Urban Promise
StreetLeaders hires students each year to work as tutors, coaches, mentors, food program administrators and peer supervisors within Urban Promise's summer day camps and after-school programs. This program focuses on providing job training, academic enrichment, college readiness activities, character development, and life skills workshops to at-risk youth.

Teens on Track (TNT), Planned Parenthood of Southern NJ
TNT uses a three-pronged approach that consists of recreation activities, sexuality education and health services for young men. Staff focuses on self-esteem, respect, decision making, communication skills, conflict resolution, violence prevention and career goals. Sporting activities, skating events, basketball leagues, and Teen Nite at the YMCA are used as the programs "hook".