Program


Mission:

The Work Group provides at-risk youth in transition to adulthood with the resources they need to become self-directed, self-sufficient individuals and productive, responsible members of their families and communities.

Participant Overview:

The Work Group 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.  We accept approximately 80 dropouts annually who at admission have met the minimum entrance criteria of a 6.0 reading and math grade level. Most of our students are 16 to 24 years of age, and have been out of school at least two years.   The Work Group’s Youth Corps experience is a rigorous one – a full-time combination of academics leading to the GED, work experience through community service, work readiness training, and career development counseling.  This is a full-time 8month program which runs year round 5 days a week 7 hours a day.  Youth participate in academics 2 full days per week and work experience/community service 2 ½ days per week.   
  • 100% of the students have left public schools.
  • 28% of our students come to us having only completed the 8th grade or lower.
  • 48% of our students are African American, 46% are Hispanic, 5% are Caucasian, and 1% are other nationalities.
  • 77% of our students are under the age of 20.
  • 30% of our students are parents:  Custodial – 25%, Non-custodial – 5%.
  • 25% of our students are on probation or parole at the time of entry into the program. 

Program Components:

Career Development/Job Readiness – Focus on making career decisions,  developing a career plan, resume building, job interviewing, and how to keep a job.

Academics – Participants receive basic skills instruction and GED Preparation in small classroom settings. 

Work Projects – Participants receive stipend payment while in the program tied to work they complete. Work projects are conducted throughout the community at other nonprofits and community organizations free or charge.  

Counseling & Case Management - Focuses on individual empowerment, mixed with “tough love” as well as building positive peer group. 

Placement - All students are assisted with placement, and begin the transition into employment, post secondary education, or technical skills training while still enrolled in the Youth Corps. 

 “Second Stage” Services - For 12 months after the completion of the on-site portion of the program, Corpsmembers are offered supportive transition services such as regularly scheduled check-ins, on-site Job Retention Support, 30 day Corpsmember/employer placement evaluation, “Lifetime” Resume Updates and Re-Placement Services  

After- Hours Program – Allows youth a safe positive and fun environment weekdays between 5pm and 9pm.