Media Coverage

Neighbor News
June 18, 2008

NewBridge creates alternative crossing

Excitement filled the air of the hallway and rooms at NewBridge 70001 in Boonton as members of the class of 2008 arrived to pick up their caps and gowns and take some group photos. The graduation ceremony was to begin in less than an hour and like all commencements, it simultaneously represented the many hours of hard work that led to this achievement and the promise of all the possibilities that are ahead.

For this group of graduates, such a moment was not always a certainty. Their high school experience, for any number of reasons, was not a positive one. While they may have given up on the traditional route to graduation day, they did not give up on themselves. NewBridge 70001 JOBS PLUS, a program run by NewBridge Services, Inc., a non-profit provider of behavioral health and education programs and services, offered the youngsters, who are between the ages of 16 and 21, an alternate method of achieving an education. Unlike in a traditional high school where there are timetables to complete one's studies, at NewBridge, the students read and prepare for the Tests of General Educational Development, also known as the GED test, at their own pace, taking it only when they feel ready. This could be anywhere from several weeks to several months.

Graduate Danny Herran of Dover, described his time with NewBridge by saying, "It was a very good experience. I learned a lot. It was a better environment then high school. I'd been wanting to graduate, I'm very happy."

Of high school, Herran said, "I didn't really get along with the teachers." At NewBridge, the educators were "easy going, they want you to move forward."

Elaborating on that thought, he added that the teachers at high school "didn't focus on a lot of people, only certain people," whereas at NewBridge, "I got more into the work. I worked at my own pace, so I got really into it."

Next up for Herran, he hopes to start at County College of Morris this August.

Similarly, Michelle Pierro of Lake Hiawatha did not have a favorable time in high school. "I just didn't like the high school I was in. {NewBridge} helped me understand what I want to do when I'm older - work and then go to college."

After talking, even briefly to some of the graduates and staff at NewBridge, it is obvious that there is mutual admiration. Amy Sheppard, a clinical case manager at NewBridge for 12 years, said of the graduations, "they just get better, more people, more enthusiasm."

She described this year's class, which at 52, is a big one, by saying, "What a great group this is. Everyone is motivated and has a good spirit."

Sheppard noted that despite their differences, the students always respected one another and got along. She likened the NewBridge environment to a foster family because it is such a "close knit group." Many of the graduates completed their studies last summer and their return to the center for the June 11 graduation was described by Sheppard as akin to coming home.

Offering some insight into why NewBridge succeeds where typical high schools fail, Sheppard said, "It's small, personal, it's nurturing. No matter where you were or what you've done, you start with a clean slate."

Most importantly, the students feel respected and encouraged. She said the staff make themselves available to the youngsters, providing answers to any questions along with a positive attitude; letting the students know "they can do it," said Sheppard. "We have faith in them."

Jason LaPaglia, educational coordinator, said his approach to instruction is "if you give respect, you get respect."

He said, "We are basically a second chance program. ‘Regular' high school didn't work for them. There either was an issue, roadblock, or hurdle and they had to find and alternate route, a detour. As long as they are focused and have goals, we help them reach it. The first step is a high school diploma."

Proud of his students, LaPaglia said, "They are all a good bunch of kids. They're focused and the funniest group of kids I ever met. They are hard workers and self-motivated. If students want to be here, they are here, if not, they don't come. Right now, we have a 90 percent passing rate of the GED test."

There is no arguing the success of this program when you hear what the graduates have to say. Dover resident Adrianna Nieves, said, "I got a lot out of it. It helped me a lot."

Her experience at high school led her to the point that she wanted to give up. "NewBridge picked me up and made me feel I could really do something with my life. They were really laid back and understanding. If I had to miss a day, they wouldn't get on my case. They would help me and were not always up my butt," she said.

As for reaching her graduation day, Nieves said, "I always knew I was going to graduate. I just didn't know from here." Adding, "This was faster and I wanted to hurry up and get on with life."

That life includes a move to Texas, where she plans to attend community college and seek a career in the medical field.

Then there is Thomas Scott, of Rockaway Township. "I really screwed up during high school. This program gave me my diploma when I'm supposed to get it and helped me get to go to college."

A "lazy" student who "didn't want to do the work," at his high school, Scott will now be attending County College of Morris, studying to become, of all things, a history teacher. Of the NewBridge program he said, "It's good. I hope more people who don't want to go to high school come. It's really helpful."