NJ Youth Corps visit Newark Museum (Part 1)

On October 3rd, NJ Youth Corps visited the Newark Museum for research, developmental purposes and knowledge building for our students. After a light lunch in the area, we arrived at the museum in the afternoon and began our self guided tour. A definite highlight was the Ballantine House mansion, which was originally built in 1885. The luxurious home was built for the wealthy Ballatine family, who were owners and creators of Ballantine Ale/Beer. It is located in an upper wing at the museum.

We were also just in time with the debut of Newark Museum's latest exhibit "Great Balls Of Fire". (Comets, Asteroids and Meteors) It was created by the Space Science Institute with additional funding by NASA and the National Science Foundation. Our students were very hands on with the new projects that were available in this particular exhibit.

 

The trip gave our students who are also staff of the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum, an opportunity to see how other facilities that provide similar resources are ran. In addition, they were exposed to ancient Korean collectibles (Land Of The Diamond Mountains), GenFit - an exhibit that focused on interactive exercise plus healthy eating, and finally Chinese artifacts and religious culture. We all had a informative time that was every bit of thought provoking as it was fun. 

NJ Youth Corps visit Washington DC (Part 1)

The NJ Youth Corps went on a mission to check in with the National Park Service in regards to the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum's extensive Vietnam Memorial Collection. We traveled by van to our nation's capitol on September 11th. It was a solemn day, marking the 13th year of the 9-11 tragedy which shook our nation to its core. What a day to be reminded of the liberties we have as citizens of this great country and explore some of the most famous landmarks in the world.

In addition to receiving an exclusive tour of the National Park Service warehouse and facilities, Youth Corps students were also exposed to the White House, Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial and other historic landmarks in DC. The trip was a first for our students and they were very attentive and enthusiastic about our journey. 

We left from Jersey City at about 7:00 am and returned back home shorty after 10:00 pm. It was an unforgettable trip for our students, who we will hear from directly via video in a part 2 update to this post. 

NJ Youth Corps and Jersey Explorer Children's Museum @ 24 Hours Of Peace in Newark, NJ

24HrsofPeace is our outdoor cultural event aimed at addressing violence through the performing arts. Music, Poetry, Dance, Film and Spoken Word are the vehicles we will use to promote the message of peace and unity in the community. Please join us August 29th 6pm on Clinton Avenue in Newark between Treacy Avenue and Bergen Street. -  https://24hrsofpeace.wordpress.com/

NJ Youth Corps along with the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum were eager to give a helping hand to such a monumental event that directly involves the talents of young people making a positive difference. 

Radio Host, Hip Hop Artist and Activist Hakeem Green showed his support by visiting the JECM before '24 Hours Of Peace' took place. He was in awe of our museum and staff as well as our informative, thought provoking exhibits. 

Hakeem is one of the key organizers for the 24HoursofPeace event, which is presented by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Thanks to our connections and supporters we were able to donate over a thousand books over the weekend for a unified effort on decreasing violence in Newark and increasing support for the talented citizens who are spreading awareness and promoting peace and love.

NJ Youth Corps and Jersey Explorer Children's Museum @ Orange, NJ YWCA

Saturday August 23rd we were grateful to be a part of the Orange, NJ YWCA blood drive. The drive featured different local vendors as well as NJ Youth Corps and Jersey Explorer Children's Museum on hand to display free books for youth of all ages. We look forward to continued growth and partnership with the newly renovated YWCA of Essex and West Hudson NJ.

JECM/YC Staff Johan ready to give out books and give info on the Jersey Explorer.

The YWCA of Essex and West Hudson NJ hosted a blood drive which will help hundreds of people who need blood.

NJ Youth Corps visit Watchung Reservation and Barnes & Noble

Friday, August 22nd, marked the date of an interesting road trip that started at the historic Watchung Reservation in New Jersey and ended at a Route 22 Barnes & Noble book store. It was a journey that took our city-wise students and staff into a wilderness exploration into nature where we saw vintage artifacts and luxuriant plants. We also did some serious climbing and hiking. We had a glorious time and are looking forward to a return trip soon. Here are some Youth Corps student/staff reactions to our day.

Adam: My trip was extremely fun, I enjoyed every minute of it. I would definitely go back again. I learned nature has extraordinary things about it.

Irene: My favorite part about the trip was everything! I learned a lot about the outdoors. I would go again, I enjoyed myself. 

Stephanie: It was fun! I liked going through the "Ghost Town", and I liked the rock climbing. I liked the teamwork and how we all came together and worked together.

ABOUT WATCHUNG RESERVATION:

Watchung Reservation in Union County is a 2,000-acre wooded tract where animal and plant life are protected.  Highlights of the park include Surprise Lake, the Deserted Village of Feltvile/Glenside Park, the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Seeley's Pond and the Watchung Stables.  Opened in 1941, The Trailside Museum was New Jersey's first nature museum. Although I-78 traverses its northwestern flank, most of the reservation remains in a natural, wild state, and sound barriers muffle the road noise.

  

ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE:

Barnes & Noble, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company, the largest retail bookseller in the United States, and the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products in the country. The company operates 661 retail stores (as of May 3, 2014) in all 50 U.S. States in addition to 700 college bookstores that serve more than 5 million students and faculty members across the country. Barnes & Noble also operates BN.com

107.5 WBLS-FM NJ Youth Corps Promo

We here at NJ Youth Corps would like to thank Ms. Ann Tripp, News Director at 107.5 WBLS-FM & 1190 WLIB-AM, for interviewing Crew Leader Doug Bailey, in regards to information on the NJ Youth Corps Program and current enrollment opportunities for young people.

This promo ran numerous times during the popular top-rated "Steve Harvey Morning Show" which is on air from 6:00AM until 10:00AM Monday through Friday via terrestrial radio as well as the internet live stream on WBLS.com

We appreciate Emmis Communications and their commitment to spotlighting community efforts right here in Jersey City and look forward to future initiatives and collaborations. Check out the audio below.

First Lady Mary Pat Christie recognizes Abby Daly, Founder & Executive Director of Bridge of Books, as a New Jersey Hero live @ The Jersey Explorer Children's Museum

The Jersey Explorer Children's Museum in conjunction with NJ Youth Corps were honored to host NJ First Lady Mary Pat Christie in her recognition of Bridge of Books founder and executive director Abby Daly as an official recipient of the "NJ Heroes" award. Mary Pat Christie, wife of NJ Governor Chris Christie, started the NJ Heroes Program to "recognize, celebrate, and promote the Heroes of New Jersey who inspire fellow New Jerseyans to give back to their community."

Here is the First Lady's official statement on the wonderful acknowledgment of Abby Daly:

Today I took a trip to the Jersey Explorer Children’s Museum in East Orange to honor Abby Daly as my 4th NJ Hero of 2014.  Abby’s non-profit foundation, Bridge of Books, provides an ongoing source of books to underprivileged and at-risk children throughout New Jersey in order to support literacy skills and to encourage a love of reading.  The organization’s name comes from the belief that a book, like a bridge, can take a child to new places.  Abby, who has always been involved in community service, saw an overwhelming need for books in many areas of our state.  As something many of us take for granted, she wanted to find a way to be able to provide for those children who may not even own a single book.  Through donations and book drives, Bridge of Books has been able to facilitate the distribution of over 425,000 books since its launch in 2003.  Bridge of Books also partners with the New Jersey Youth Corps, who helps with the distribution of the books.  Today, the Youth Corps set up a “Summer Book Blast Book Fair” for the children of East Orange inside the museum, as well as a tour where they were able to explore the different interactive exhibits.  The children were ecstatic to have such a great day planned for them!  Bridge of Books brought over 2,400 books for these children to choose from, take home, and call their own.  The looks on the children’s faces as they were holding onto their brand new books was priceless.  It was great to be at the Children’s Museum today and meet so many inspiring people involved with the Bridge of Books Foundation.  Abby presented me with a beautiful frame that read “Books have the Power to Change Lives” – a philosophy that I find to be so important and true.  Abby truly demonstrates what it means to be a New Jersey Hero. 

SOURCE: http://newjerseyheroes.org/index/2014/07/abby-daly-the-bridge-of-books-foundation/

The Jersey Explorer Children's Museum was elated to have Mary Pat Christie in our presence and we are so proud of Abby Daly and her continued commitment to literacy. Every guest that visits the JECM, can take home free books due to our longtime partnership with the Bridge of Books Foundation. We truly appreciate them as do the families and students who frequent our museum. 

FOR MORE INFO ON ABBY DALY AND THE BRIDGE OF BOOKS FOUNDATION PLEASE VISIT: http://www.bridgeofbooksfoundation.org/