The Cumberland Empowerment Zone 21st Century Community Learning Center
Center in Port Norris, NJ 08349
The Cumberland Empowerment Zones mission is to bring people and places together in a concerted effort to rebuild neighborhoods, build economies, and strengthen communities. The AT&T four-year grant creates a program that will affect over 300 students by supporting a new Community in Schools (CIS) initiative to work with at-risk youth in the Bridgeton and Millville High Schools.
Based on a shared vision, the Cumberland Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC) and four local school districts, Vineland, Millville, Commercial Township and Bridgeton have established four 21st Century Community Learning Centers through a grant from the NJ Department of Education. These centers provide enrichment, recreation, positive youth development and social services for students in grades 5 through 10 and their families in each of the districts.
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- New Jersey Department of Children and Families
- Vouchers:
- This provider does not accept vouchers
- Preschool:
- No
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Together, the district staff and the partnering agencies have established centers that operate for three hours per day everyday after school and five hours per day, five days per week during several weeks in the summer. Each center offers homework help, math and language arts enrichment, and recreation almost everyday. Beyond these activities, some of the centers offer programs for the students as Girl Power and Gentlemen’s Clubs that promote positive self-esteem, character building, student mentors, goal setting and healthy lifestyles.
Through the expertise of our partnering agencies, the centers also offer visual and performing arts, a hands-on science curriculum and career exploration. To address students’ academic, social and emotional needs, mentors have been matched with identified students; motivational speakers visit the sites and discuss topics such as anger management, communication, and decision-making; one-on-one goal planning and an incentive program has been established to increase grades and attendance and reduce discipline incidents.
Families are invited to participate in many of the activities of the centers. Special literacy nights are scheduled at each site for families to address topics such as finance, health, and computer literacy. A case manager works with families that are in need of additional services to help establish self-sufficiency. When applying for the grant in Year One, the need for bilingual services was identified for students and families. Sites and providers work together to ensure that these needs are met.
Field trips and family involvement activities ensure that student participants are provided with a variety of educational enhancement and support. The 21st Century Community Learning Center of Cumberland County is committed to “soaring beyond expectations.”
