Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss (Grief support to children and families of all ages in the South Ward)

Imagine will train school staff, students, and parents in how to support grieving students/children. Imagine will also train schools and community agencies and the Family HUB Grief Counselor on how to facilitate grief support groups based on the peer support group model. Grief support groups will happen on an ongoing basis through the school year in the South Ward. The Family HUB grief counselor will provide grief support groups in all schools, lead school-wide trainings to foster a supportive environment for children experiencing loss, and provide regular supervision to facilitators of grief groups.

Prevention Links

Prevention Links will work collaboratively with SWCAPN to provide education and awareness opportunities for youth in the community through their Lead and Seed Program. Lead and Seed is an intervention for middle and high school youth designed to increase their knowledge and problem-solving skills for preventing and reducing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use. Youth get supported in the development of strategic prevention plans for use in their schools and communities and help to implement these plans. This partnership will also include providing workshops to parents and the community on drugs and recovery.

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice of NJ

VLJ will work collaboratively with the SWPN to ensure individuals and families understand their legal rights as well as the various processes and procedures required to navigate the legal seminars and workshops: and one-on-one legal consultation. VLJ will designate a staff attorney to lead programming, case manage and coordinate legal services for South Ward families, starting in Upper Clinton Hill and Dayton. VLJ will partner with organizations for referrals and conduct screenings to connect families with wraparound legal services, including placement with a pro bono attorney or limited scope assistance so individuals can represent themselves in legal matters, where appropriate. VLJ will also conduct regular seminars, workshops and intake clinics to ensure that the community members are well-informed of their legal rights and the services that are available to them.

United Way of Essex and West Hudson

Through UWEWH, families will be connected to our expanded Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a federally and privately funded free income tax preparation assistance program.

SWCA - Family Hub (targets parents with children in South Ward schools)

The Family Hub is a case management/family support program that provides free family support and counseling to children and their families. The HUB specializes in providing free advocacy, crisis-intervention services, housing assistance and guidance, support with food security, and medical/mental health referrals.

New Jersey Citizen Action

NJCA will provide financial coaching program with trained coaches who help families achieve their financial goals. Families receive one-on-one support and resources that they need to stop falling behind. Services features: saving and spending plan, debt analysis and action plan, bill pay schedule, financial product review and enrollment assistance.