PERTH AMBOY – The YMCA has a long history of serving local residents. This tradition continues today through many grant programs and partnerships. Currently, the YMCA has 8 grant-funded services that are provided for FREE to the residents of Perth Amboy.
Families Fit Together – The YMCA provides Family Counseling to “at-risk” Middle School aged students and their parents/guardians. Using the Strengthening Families, an evidence-based curriculum, 24 families will engage in discussion groups and wholesome family activities that strengthen communication and foster healthy family relationships.
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) – The YMCA provides 330 students, grades 5th through 9th, afterschool enrichment and academic support services from 3pm – 6pm. The afterschool hours are statistically the time of the day most prevalent to juvenile delinquency and negative behaviors. This program provides students a safe, structured, fun, afterschool program that promotes positive social activities and non-traditional academic support. Teen Center – In partnership with the City of Perth Amboy, the Y opens its doors FREE of CHARGE on Saturday Nights to provide social and physical activities for Teens. The Y is honored to serve and protect our youth and are committed giving young people all of the opportunities to fulfill their potential.
Census 2020 – The YMCA provides Census education workshops throughout the Community. Working in partnership with the CITY OF PERTH AMBOY, PRAHD, PARTNER, the CHAPLAINS CORP., and JRF, will utilize TRUSTED VOICES to amplify the need for EVERYONE TO BE COUNTED!!!
New Jersey Health Initiative (Healthier Perth Amboy) – This capacity building grant has helped cultivate stronger relationships with organizations and develop a Blueprint for Action to help combat the biggest health challenges in our City. Using a collective impact model, the HEALTHIER PERTH AMBOY consortium works to advocate for healthy policies, reduce health disparities, increase health equity, and promote access to healthy activities and health care.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Upstream Action Acceleration – The YMCA provided more than $30,000 in grant funding to the City of Perth Amboy to update the Housing Element of the City’s Master Plan. We believe unhealthy, unsafe housing is a critical “quality of life” issue in our City and needs to be addressed through comprehensive policy review and reform. Through this grant, the YMCA has also contracted Rutgers Bloustein School of Public Policy to review current practices and policies and provide best practice recommendations for the Mayor and City Council’s consideration.
NJ Healthy Community Network – Throughout the next 2 years, in the Gateway section of town, the YMCA will help collect local data that can guide new housing policy. The YMCA and PARTNER will provide door to door tenant/landlord education and host community forums. The education will provide residents a detailed outline of the new policies and their rights and impact under these new laws.
Supportive Housing – In partnership with God’s Army Ministries of NJ, the YMCA offers Supportive Day Services for those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Through fellowship, learning, support, case management, resources, prevention services, health services both physical and mental, education, job placement, etc. we work to provide a place for creativity and connection. The YMCA offers Safe and Supportive Emergency Housing, particularly; our concern is for women and children. Each night, homeless families, adults and children, expose themselves to danger either by sleeping on the streets or by subjecting themselves to unsafe situations. Through grants and generous donations, we have the ability to provide a safe, supportive environment conducive to helping them feel the care of the community and see the hope and possibilities for their future through active case management. The YMCA receives grants from Coming Home of Middlesex County and the NJ Department of Community Affairs to purchase and rehabilitate houses to secure Permanent Housing and Support Services that are statistically proven to help stabilize families and reduce homelessness. Supportive services may include referrals for abuse prevention, job training and readiness, for mental and physical health services, for addressing immigration issues, learning English, life skills, parenting skills, and making stronger connections to the community through activities and volunteerism.
Code Blue – When the weather becomes dangerously cold, the County calls a Code Blue to initiate the opening of a warming center to protect the Homeless in such conditions. In partnership with the City of Perth Amboy, the YMCA provides “chaperone” services for the City’s warming center. An Off-Duty Police Officer and YMCA staff supervise the overnight shelter services at the Alexander Jankowski Center at 1 Olive Street.
The YMCA’s PROMISE continues to do this every day:
We PROMISE, the YMCA will aggressively seek resources that help improve the lives of the residents of Perth Amboy. We PROMISE, the YMCA will wisely seek financial resources to help find solutions to complex problems.
We PROMISE, the YMCA will continue to proudly serve the residents of Perth Amboy and help make Perth Amboy a great place to Live, Learn, Work and Play!!!!
