Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 3, No. 26, December 29, 2005
The Executive Director's News is published specifically for the employees of the Somerset Home. This issue and past issues are available on our web site at http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee_newsletter.htm.
My Place II
The big news for Somerset Home is the development of our fourth residential program, My Place II. Our capital campaign is nearing the end of a two year effort and we are pleased to report nearly $650,000 has been raised to support the acquisition of this new building and other 2006 capital expenses.
We expect to open our newest TLP (transitional living program) to five young women in March of 2006. My Place II is located just behind our Passages building on Whitney Drive. It is an excellent location, as are Passages and My Place I, affording youth a safe neighborhood environment and yet is within walking distance of jobs, schools, banks and health services.
We are very pleased to be able to offer this new program for youth who are aging out of the foster care system and continue to need support to finish high school and master independent living skills, while planning for their post-secondary education. Now the girls will have what the boys already have, a place to call "My Place".
Bill Petersen was honored for his volunteer work by the Garden State Coalition
Program director, Nikki DeSouza presents Bill Petersen with the volunteer of the year award from the Garden State Coalition for Youth and Family Concerns. Bill was honored at the Coalition's annual breakfast last week in Trenton. Bill volunteers in our Brahma House Transitional Learning Center and has been a valued supporter of Somerset Home for many years.
Santa Visits all three Holiday parties!
Cezette Jones, senior youth counselor welcomes Santa to the Brahma House party. We all had a great time at the parties and of course singing Santa's favorite song.
The Stockings were hung with care at Passages!
Pathways program on a roll!
The older kids from My Place and Passages participated in a life skills retreat at the Bridgewater Marriott last weekend and everyone had a great time and learned a lot as well. The Bridgewater Marriott donated all of the rooms, meals and conference space for the retreat. The kids I spoke to had one common question, "Can we come back next weekend"? The answer, maybe not next weekend, but we certainly hope to do it again soon! Many thanks to Chris Hosmer and his fantastic staff at the Bridgewater Marriott!
Pathways 'Youth Advisory Board'
Pathways is starting the new year with a new program! The 'Youth Advisory Board' (YAB) program will work with older youth, helping them identify needed services and presenting those needs to state human services and elected officials. This is a fantastic opportunity for empowering young people and also advocating for building the services available for youth aging out of the child welfare system.
Pathways 'American Dream' Financial Literacy Program
Pathways American Dream Financial Literacy gets boost with $10,000 donation! Pictured above, representatives of Smith Barney including Somerset County Freeholder Rick Fontana (right) present Pathways with a check for $2,500. Pathways also received a check for $7,500 from Ortho-McNeil (a Johnson and Johnson company) this week as well. We are very excited to move ahead with our financial literacy program this coming year and wish to thank our very generous sponsors.
Holiday Trip to NYC a huge hit!
Thirty eight staff and youth attended the annual holiday trip to New York City to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and see the sights. There is nothing like the city at the holidays and we are so happy that we were able to once again sponsor the trip. Many thanks to the Dombal-Vogel Foundation for their continued annual support of this event.
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
