Governor Corzine Announces New Crime Prevention & Community Building Initiatives to Keep at-risk Children in School
New Jersey First State to a Launch 'Promise Communities' Initiative in Pilot Cities of Newark and Camden; Newark National Pilot Site for ‘Bold Approach' Initiative Using Private Funds
September 28, 2009- Story featured on The State of New Jersey's website: View Article |
NEWARK- Governor Jon S. Corzine today unveiled two new initiatives aimed at strengthening school and community programming for children at-risk of being recruited and victimized by violent street gangs. The programs - ‘Promise Communities' and ‘Bold Approach' - are designed to keep children in school and on a path to college and a career.
The Governor made the announcement during a visit to the Quitman Street School in Newark. He was joined by Geoff Canada CEO of Harlem Children's Zone, Dr. Pedro Noguera, co-founder of Bold Approach, Attorney General Anne Milgram, Education Commissioner Lucille Davy, Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Dr. Clifford Janey, Newark schools superintendent.
"Today we are reaffirming our efforts to clear a path where every child, regardless of economic status, can realize their full potential and lead healthy, happy, productive lives because being born in poverty should not be a life sentence," Governor Corzine said. "We need to fortify the promises we make to our children about bright futures that lie ahead by ensuring that they have the opportunities to succeed in school and the ability to build a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. ‘Promise Communities' and ‘Bold Approach' are innovative and evidence-based initiatives that will help to build better futures by raising standards, lifting expectations, and by ensuring that supports are there to meet those goals."
‘Promise Communities' is a pilot project that is being launched in Newark and Camden. The approach is modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone, which started with a single city block in Harlem and now encompasses 97, addresses the full range of challenges poor families face, from crumbling apartments and failing schools to crime and health problems. From birth to college, the program weaves interlocking services into a cohesive safety net for an entire neighborhood.
"We are pleased to be working with Governor Corzine and our neighbors in New Jersey as we do our best to share the lessons and examples from our experience in Harlem," said Geoff Canada, CEO of Harlem Children's Zone. "Combating urban poverty and changing the odds for children living in cities such as Newark and Camden is not easy work, but it is work that we must be doing. Governor Corzine's commitment to this issue makes us proud to be part of this ‘Promise Communities' effort."
As part of the pilot process, two non-profit neighborhood organizations, one in Camden and one from Newark, will be selected competitively to engage in an intensive planning process, with technical assistance from the Harlem Children's Zone, to develop a strategic plan to help children in school and on through college. It will be supported by a $24,000 grant from the Attorney General's Office and the Juvenile Justice Commission.
"Geoffrey Canada is a leading advocate and expert on programs for community-building and educating youth with an incredible track record of success," said Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells. "Mr. Canada's programs are some of the best examples of the power of public private collaboration in the promotion of academic excellence. He is unwavering in his pledge to ensure the opportunity for a college education for all students, particularly those in urban areas. I am so pleased that he will be offering his experience and expertise to us and our partners in Newark and Camden."
The second initiative, ‘Bold Approach,' is a research-based school reform model developed by Dr. Pedro Noguera of New York University. It is based on the premise that schools do not succeed without strong community connections. The City of Newark will serve as the nation's first pilot site for the ‘Bold Approach,' which will be focused on Central High School and its five feeder schools.
"Newark is poised to embark upon a major initiative to reform its public schools that could serve as a model for urban schools across New Jersey and the nation," Dr. Noguera remarked. "This Bolder Approach to School Reform will provide students with basic social services, create academic systems to train teachers in the most effective instructional practices and build a pipeline for students to college and jobs. This initiative is designed to lay the foundation for transformation to make Newark's public schools great."
"Under the leadership and support of Governor Corzine, Newark Public Schools will be the first to participate in what is a broader and bolder approach to school reform," said Newark Mayor Cory Booker. "This project will provide more resources for Newark's at-risk youth so they can achieve academic excellence. I'm very proud that Central High School and 5 other schools, including the Quitman Street School were selected for this project. I thank the Ford Foundation, NYU and all the partners involved in this initiative working to make Newark a model for education reform."
The program, supported by a $220,000 grant from the Ford Foundation, is geared toward strengthening the connection between school curriculum and available employment opportunities, increasing coordination with health and social service programs, and after-school activities.
"These initiatives are designed to support every student and his or her family so the student will be college and work ready," stated Newark Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Clifford B. Janey.
"Supporting the student, means that there must be adequate education and social services combined with economic and community engagement."
‘Bold Approach' also recognizes the importance of high quality early childhood and pre-school programs, after-school and summer programs, and programs that engage parents in their children's learning.
"Education can be one of the best antidotes to crime," said Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy. "When children are focused on succeeding in school and on their long-term goals, they are more likely to graduate from high school and to have career and postsecondary education options in the future. Helping students to see the importance of staying in school is one of the most important things we can do as educators and adults."
The two initiatives announced today are part of the prevention component of Governor Corzine's Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods, a comprehensive anti-crime plan unveiled two years ago to battle violent crime through more aggressive law enforcement, prevention programs aimed at at-risk youth, and re-entry programs for convicted offenders leaving prison.
Attorney General Anne Milgram said, "The core principle of the Governor's Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods is that we support programs that work - whether that means targeting our law enforcement resources against the most violent criminals, drug traffickers, gun runners and street gangs, or supporting crime prevention programs that provide at-risk youth the support they need to reject a life of crime. Geoff Canada and Pedro Noguera have created programs that work, programs that will make a significant difference in our fight against crime."
Governor Corzine added, "Make no mistake - this effort will take a lot of hard work, planning, and leadership. More importantly, it will require a vision for a brighter future for every child and every family. Our children deserve nothing less."
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