FY27 CRD Award Announcement
Congratulations to our FY27 CRD Awardees:
Congratulations to our FY27 CRD Awardees! Tri County CMO is proud to partner with all the agencies below to provide FREE quality programming to our Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren County youth.
Joseph H. Firth Youth Center in Phillipsburg, NJ is bringing “Stronger Together: An Inclusive Musical Enrichment Series with a Family Focus” (“Stronger Together”) will be offered once a week for 6-weeks, in three separate sessions throughout the program period. The programs will be a total of 90-minutes long, including 45-minutes of musical enrichment and 45-minutes of family centered time. Within a private classroom at the FYC, participants who are differently-abled will partake in Music Enrichment Classes led by a certified, credentialed instructor who has ample experience teaching the population. Parents are welcome to participate with their children or watch the session. Simultaneously, siblings will enjoy activities led by FYC Staff in the Gymnasium, such as relay races, knock-out basketball, or kick-ball. Following the 45-minute musical enrichment component of the evening, the family will reconnect in the Multipurpose Room for a catered family dinner and an interactive game (i.e. Bingo, Kahoot) with prizes. “Stronger Together” allows families to enjoy inclusive enrichment activities in a safe space without financial burdens, needing child care, any of their children feeling “left out,” or being stigmatized by parents who may not understand the challenges their family navigates.
Grades4life will implement a 9-Week Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Program serving youth ages 10–17 residing in Somerset, NJ for 2 hours per week. The core components of the program include entrepreneurship fundamentals and creative problem-solving, financial literacy and money management basics, leadership development and confidence building activities, public speaking and communication skills, mentorship and positive adult engagement, and social-emotional learning and trauma-informed group discussions Youth will participate in a community showcase or pitch presentation at the conclusion of the program to celebrate growth, build confidence, and engage families and community members.
In partnership with Action Karate, EnVision Center of the Phillipsburg Housing Authority will be providing a 6-week introductory karate course focused equally on physical skills and character development. Each class includes basic karate instruction adapted for varying abilities and learning styles, one age-appropriate self-defense technique and a short, character-based lesson emphasizing confidence, respect, perseverance, self-control, and emotional regulation. The program is grounded in all abilities inclusion, emphasizing focus on potential: shifting from perceived limitations to strengths and personal growth, universal design: adaptable instruction, flexible pacing, and inclusive space use to accommodate diverse needs, intentional inclusivity: conscious efforts to ensure participants of all abilities, economic backgrounds, and family structures feel welcomed and valued, and beyond disability: recognizing that abilities, energy levels, learning styles, and confidence vary across all participants. Each class also concludes with the provision of a healthy snack and bottled water. This component supports youth wellness by reinforcing hydration, nutrition awareness, and self-care habits.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Phillipsburg-EnVision-Center-100067220864110
https://actionkarate.net/locations/phillipsburg/
Jewish Family Services of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties (JFSSHW) are providing a Social Learning Group that provides opportunities for youth with developmental disabilities to practice conversational skills, work through misunderstandings, and show interest in others. Above all, this group works to build self-esteem and confidence in social situations through developing friendships. The program aims to work with youth who often do not receive support either because their level of impairment does not qualify them for services, or because they find the school environment too stressful to benefit from services offered there. Social Learning Group will serve 6-10 youth, ages 12-18, per session and meet two Monday afternoon each month 4:00PM – 6:00PM. The group is led by a staff LSW or LCSW clinician, supported by MSW interns as available. The maximum ratio of staff to youth is 6:1 licensed staff member or 4:1 for pre-licensed staff. The program is held offsite at the People Care Center in Bridgewater, NJ, to allow enough space for interactive activities.