NewBridge Teams with Lakeland Hills YMCA to Provide Youth Employment

Program offers jobs to local youth

Pequannock, NJ (Aug. 27, 2009) - This summer NewBridge Services, a non-profit provider of affordable and innovative behavioral health and education programs and services, collaborated with the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA to provide volunteer and paid positions to 30 youth from Morris County through NewBridge's Summer Youth Employment Program.

Through the program, NewBridge works with local high schools to recruit students who would benefit from summer employment. Based on their interests and skills, these youth are then placed with participating businesses that are seeking summer help.

The connection between NewBridge and the Lakeland Family YMCA, which began in 2007, has proven to be successful. For the past two years the YMCA has been offering positions to Summer Youth Employment Program participants who attend local schools, including Valleyview Middle School in Denville, Lincoln Park Middle School, Boonton and Dover high schools, Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, the Chancellor Academy in Pompton Plains, and students who are home schooled.

"The youth are trained on the job to serve as camp counselors and assistants to swim instructors. It's a great opportunity for them to learn valuable leadership skills," said Jill Worrall, Summer Youth Employment Coordinator, NewBridge. "Summer employment offers young people skills that will give them a competitive edge when applying for future jobs. Through the program, they develop teamwork, conflict resolution and leadership skills."

The program, which has a strong focus on the prevention of youth involvement in the judicial system, receives support from the Juvenile Justice Commission through the State/Community Partnership Grant Program.

For more information on the NewBridge Summer Youth Employment program, call Jill Worrall at (973) 839-2520 or visit www.newbridge.org.

About NewBridge Services
Founded in 1963, NewBridge Services, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) community organization providing innovative programs and education services in five focus areas: mental health, addiction, housing, youth programs and senior services. Whether guiding people as they cope with stress, grief, or substance abuse, or providing advice to those with parenting, relationship or caregiving challenges, NewBridge helps people bring balance to their lives.