CAMDEN, NJ-

The Work Group’s New Jersey Youth Corps program was invited to

Washington DC to participate in the taping of video which will highlight

programs across the country which has received stimulus dollars to support

their summer job programs. 

The Work Group’s Youth Corps is a voluntary program for young people who have dropped out of school.  TWG accepts approximately 100 young eople annually between 16 to 25 years of age.  The experience is a rigorous one – a full-time combination of academics leading to GED testing, work experience through community service, work readiness training, life skills, career exploration and counseling.  

 http://democrats.senate.gov/recovery/  or if you have trouble viewing it you can also see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpnfduSBkx8&feature=channel_page

The Work Group is the only youth service agency in the State of New Jersey to receive national recognition for its work in the field. 

• 1996 - National Youth Employment Coalition’s PEPNet Award 2001 - National Youth Employment Coalition’s PEPNet Award 
  
  
• 2001 -“Excellence in Corp Operations” awarded by the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps
  
  
• 2006 - Recognized by the National Youth Policy Forum in Washington, DC in its publication, Whatever It Takes:  How Twelve Communities Are Reconnecting Out-of-School Youth.  A chapter of the report is dedicated to The Work Group, describing it as one of the most effective programs in the country.

Additional Outcomes:

• 85% of all attendees complete the eight month program and between 85%-90% of these are students are placed in jobs or post secondary eduction and training.
  
  
• One third of all particpants obtain their GED while in the program, double the National GED pass rate. 
  
  
• On average, The Work Group's Youth Corps provides more than 10,000 hours of service to the community each year. 

Vivian Lopez, a 101 Instruction at The Work Group, was recently recognized by Campbell’s Soups as an unsung hero in the community by receiving their Community Caring Award.  The award was presented to Vivian at the Campbell’s Soup Networking Breakfast by Jerry S. Buckley Senior Vice President of Community Affairs at Campbell’s Soup. 

Vivian’s experience with The Work Group dates back to 2002 when she left Camden High School and enrolled as a Corpsmember.  Vivian left Camden High feeling it was an unsafe environment and that she was not being academically challenged.  After participating in this program for seven months, Vivian passed her GED and received her High School Diploma on her first attempt, as well as being named Corpmember of the Year at graduation.  At the completion of the program Vivian had earned the respect of staff and fellow students through her maturity, professionalism, and positive attitude.  In 2003, staff unanimously agreed the Vivian should be hired as a part-time Peer Leader. In 2004, Vivian began earning her degree in Counseling which she hopes will allow her to share her difficult life experiences and help others in need. 

Today Vivian is raising her son in her first apartment, has a driver’s license and car, and is now a full-time employee at The Work Group as a 101 Academic Instructor.  Vivian’s experience of having been through The Work Group as a student allows her to be a shining example to incoming students of how dedication and determination can truly bring success in life. 

Vivian is now a valued co-worker and peer to those who were once her teachers.  Her ability to persevere though challenges, strive for a better life and encourage others along the way truly makes Vivian an unsung hero to us all.  Though already a success, those who know Vivian know that the best is yet to come. 

Who knows more about poverty and can provide insight about how to change conditions than those who experience it every day?  This was the thought process behind the collaboration between MTV and YouthBuild USA. 

Hosted by MTV News Correspondents Sway Callaway and Kim Stolz, Our America, is national Town Hall gathering of low-income young adult leaders to elevate the leadership role and voice of young people in our shared national challenge to end poverty.  Young people from over 40 national organizations and 25 states will explored the theme of America as it is now and America as it should be, offering their experiences of growing up in low-income communities and families. 

Two local Camden City youth, Henry Troche and Robert Hillwig, were chosen to tell their stories during this program.  This national dialogue will include representation and discussion from young leaders who vividly define the problems in their communities, generate solutions and make policy recommendations.  Special attendees include Rev. Jessie Jackson and Senator John Kerry who shared their visions for America. 

 Henry and Robert both had life experiences all too common for youth who grow up in the City of Camden.  Both became involved in the juvenile justice system as a teen, sold drugs to survive, dropped out of school, and felt they had little future.  In 2007, they enrolled in The Work Group (TWG) a private, non-profit corporation which operates the New Jersey Youth Corps of Camden County.   The Work Group’s Youth Corps is a voluntary program for young people who have dropped out of school.  TWG accepts approximately 100 young people annually between 16 to 25 years of age.  The experience is a rigorous one – a full-time combination of academics leading to GED testing, work experience through community service, work readiness training, life skills, career exploration and counseling.    Henry and Robert both achieved their New Jersey State issued High School Diploma on the first try.  Henry is currently working two jobs, one of which is at The Work Group, as a peer support worker.  He plans to enroll at Camden County College in fall.  Robert is currently a freshman at Camden County College.  Robert’s speech is now available on the internet at 

                      http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00A0A6E300170098E9A3/