Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 5, No. 6, March 22, 2007
The Executive Director's News is published every two weeks, 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.
Brahma House TLC Welcomes Jen Mack
The kids at Brahma House gave a big thanks to Transitional Learning Center (TLC) Yuna Hsueh as she left to have a baby and gave a warm welcome to their new instructor, Jen Mack. With a B.A. in elementary education, Jen has six years of experience teaching language arts, geography and problem-solving. She also has extensive experience working with children of all ages in extracurricular activities as a swimming and lacrosse coach. We’re happy to have her join our team.
Melissa Returns!
Melissa Klotzbach (formerly Wilkin) has returned as our new residential services coordinator at Brahma House. Melissa worked at Passages for seven years in the same position and has returned to full time employment after extended maternity leave. We welcome her back!
BRIDGEWATER: Grant to benefit Somerset Home
reprinted from the Courier News March 8, 2007
A recent $5,000 grant from the New Jersey Credit Union Foundation will help Somerset Home teach financial skills to at-risk youth in Bridgewater and surrounding communities.
Somerset Home, incorporated in 1970, is dedicated to meeting the needs of abused and neglected youth. The nonprofit corporation provides six programs for adolescents and their families: Brahma House; Passages, My Place and Whitney House transitional-living programs; Pathways independent living skills program; and Street S.M.A.R.T. street-outreach program.
The grant will support Somerset Home’s Financial Literacy Project, which helps young people learn the financial skills they need to make a smooth transition into adulthood. The financial workshops are part of Pathways, an independent-living skills-education program open to area residents ages 15 to 21, especially those who are homeless or aging out of the child-welfare system.
“Somerset Home is pleased to have the support of the NJCUF in preparing these vulnerable young people to make financial decisions,” said Jeffrey Fetzko, the agency’s executive director. “This kind of education is a key to their self-esteem and future success.”
“We are pleased to make this investment in the future of New Jersey’s disadvantaged youth,” said John DiNofrio, chairman of the NJCUF board of directors. “We know this financial literacy grant will have a meaningful impact, giving them the skills to live successfully on their own.”
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
