I had seen a CNN Hero 2013 finalist do something similar in Camden, and wondered why we didn't have these activities in JC. It seems we do - thank you for sharing. This deserves our attention and support.

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/vid ... nda-jones.cnn-heroes.html

Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal

A standing room only crowd at Wednesday night?s New City Kids ?Bash? celebrated a sixth year of 100% high school graduation and college entry for the teens who work at the two after school centers near McGinley Square in Jersey City.



The after school program serves 150 first through eighth grade students at the locations. Sixty high school students in the paid Teen Life Internship Program tutor them in English, math, and geography, give lessons in fine arts, performing arts and music, as well nurture their spiritual development.

Free sailing instruction is also available, spokesman Gabriel Stiritz said.

The first through eighth graders showed off skills they learned in the program through performances and games at the yearly event held to introduce the community to the program and to thank donors.

As part of New City Kids? ?college-bound culture,? the teen interns are invited to participate in academic tutoring, SAT prep classes and a week-long college tour. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the college prep process and attend parent-student workshops. Program alumni regularly speak to students about their experiences.

"At New City Kids, 100% of our Teen Life Interns have entered college in the past five years and 90% of them have finished or are still enrolled,? a spokesman said. ?This is no small accomplishment in a city where 33% of local teens drop out of high school and 51% do not attend college.?

?New City Kid?s aim is to give kids and teens in Jersey City a life changing experience and walking with them from first grade through high and setting them on a course to success,? said Stiritz. He said the program is funded by individual and corporate donors, as well as government and foundation grants.