The Ocean County Youth Center, serving as a beacon of hope and development for the county’s at-risk and disadvantaged youth, continues to make significant strides in fostering personal, educational, and social growth. Located in Ocean County, the center caters to approximately 450 young individuals each month, providing a variety of engaging and constructive activities.
Ocean County Commissioner John P. Kelly, the liaison to the Juvenile Services Department, praised the center’s impact, particularly noting its success during the school year. “The Youth Center is tremendously successful in terms of personal, educational, and social growth amongst the youth who frequent the center,” Kelly stated.
Throughout the summer, the center remains active, offering mini summer camps for children aged 9 to 14. These camps feature a range of activities including arts and crafts, sports like kickball and basketball, ping pong, computer gaming, and gardening, all under supervised conditions with lunch provided.
Since its inception in 2020, the Youth Center has expanded its services to include mentoring, tutoring, High School Equivalency Exam preparation, and recreational activities. “Since opening the facility in 2020, we have seen great successes,” Kelly remarked. The center initially opened its doors amidst the pandemic, adjusting quickly to provide a safe outdoor space for recreation.
The center’s programs are tailored to empower youth through structured support and education. The R.A.I.S.E. (Reasonable Alternative to Incarceration through Self Esteem) Program offers teens courses in preparation for the High School Equivalency Exam and practical skills training in partnership with Ocean County Vocational Technical School in fields such as Culinary Arts, Construction Trades, and Auto Mechanics.
Barbara Jo Crea, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, highlighted the center’s strong relationships with local educational institutions. “After completing their training many teens attend either Ocean County College or the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools to seek out further education,” she said.
Ed Turnbach, supervisor of the Youth Center, shared insights into the personal satisfaction derived from seeing the tangible benefits of the center’s work. “The benefits I have seen firsthand include teens who are able to attain their High School Diploma through our programming and who are then able to move through the doors that education so often opens,” Turnbach explained.
The center employs six full-time staff members, one part-time employee, and about 10 volunteers, all dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that caters specifically to the needs of Ocean County’s youth.
The Youth Center is actively seeking more volunteers, especially those who can tutor teens in math. For those interested in volunteering opportunities or enrolling children in the center’s programs, contact the Program Coordinator at (732) 288-7703 or the Program Director at (732) 288-7780, or email ocyc@co.ocean.nj.us.
