OUTREACH AND PREVENTION DEPARTMENT

When There is Nowhere Else to Turn

Our organization provides three mentoring groups: Journey to Manhood for young men, Jewells for young women, and Skittlez for youth who identify as LGBTQI+. These sessions are facilitated by adult mentors, with input from the mentees on the topics they would like to discuss. The topics covered in these sessions include financial literacy, STDs and HIV/AIDS prevention, dating and relationships, resume preparation and mock interviews, real-life accounts of drug use, and personal hygiene. Additionally, we offer one-on-one mentoring for those who prefer individualized support.

Journey To Manhood and Jewells

J2M and Jewells are the names of our group mentoring programs offered to the youth in Visions and Pathways programming. Youth are able to join whichever mentorship group is discussing topics related to their lived experience.

Mission Statement

The mission of the J2M and Jewells mentoring programs is to cultivate the growth of at-risk youth by matching them with caring adult mentors willing to connect with them in a structured group setting. The programs provide much needed assistance to young people with becoming socially equipped, empowered, and self-sufficient. By giving young people the life skills they need to thrive, they can focus on and feel optimistic about their future.

The goals include:

  • Developing a leadership role and preparing for future
  • Learning skills like healthy/effective communication, interpersonal, and decision-making.
  • Maintaining healthy
  • Fostering positive self-esteem, self-identity, and a personal

Questions? Contact Judith Favors, jfavors@visiosandpathways.org

Skittlez

Our Skittlez mentoring group is a support group for our LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. We offer trips to community LGBTQ support centers and have speakers from the LGBTQ+ community who offer support to our youth. We will explore LGBT history, discuss relevant current events, and build up a strong sense of self. Skittlez meets once a month.

Mission Statement

The mission of Skittlez is to broaden mentees’ understanding about the nature of the LGBTQ+ community, and show LGBTQ+ youth the resources and community that exists for them. The program is here to empower and educate young people to be proud of their identities and foster open-mindedness.

Schedule

J2M and Jewells typically meet once a month for six-month cycles. Skittlez’s schedule is determined by the number of self-identified LGBTQ youth present in Visions and Pathways’ residential programs. All our mentoring groups participate in 1-2 arts or rec activities during their six-month cycles. There will be monthly all mentor meetings during the last week of each month in order to regroup and plan for the next month.

Mentors

Our mentors are the role models. They are here to educate and encourage youth into becoming their best selves. Mentors come ready to lead a discussion of their chosen topic and be open to including youth participation.

Questions? Contact Judith Favors, jfavors@visiosandpathways.org

Street Smart Outreach Program

STREET SMART is a street outreach program that helps youth and young adults between the ages of 13-24 who may be homeless, living in an unsafe environment, or experiencing acute problems at home. No one is refused services due to their age. Many Street Smart youth are at high risk of becoming human trafficking victims and addicted to opioids or other drugs.

Meeting Basic Needs. With offices in Bridgewater, Morristown, and Plainfield, Street Smart assists youth throughout central and northern New Jersey. The program identifies vulnerable youth, meets their basic needs, and connects them with partner resources. Teams of outreach workers offer assistance and services 24 hours a day and are also available in emergency situations.

Grassroots Early Intervention. Our workers canvas popular youth hangouts, such as fast-food restaurants, malls, convenience stores, and parks. They also work with local schools, police departments, churches, and other civic organizations to identify youth who may need help.

Our workers provide:

  • CRISIS INTERVENTION COUNSELING
  • SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • REFERRALS TO HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES
  • HIV/AIDS PREVENTION EDUCATION
  • HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION EDUCATION
  • HELP OBTAINING VITAL DOCUMENTS
  • HELP FINDING JOBS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
  • FOOD, CLOTHING AND BLANKETS
  • ACCESS TO SHELTER

STREET SMART’S BILINGUAL STAFF ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.

If you or someone you know is in an unsafe living situation, please call

 

For more information, please visit the Street-Smart website at  www.streetsmartoutreach.org

Wellness Program

V&P's distinctive wellness program is essential to our strategy for empowering and guiding our youth towards self-actualization and self-sufficiency. The Wellness program impacts the mind, body, and soul through three key components: arts and recreation, nutrition and fitness, and spirituality.

Each component is described below:

  • Arts and Recreation
    • Activities: Activities are held regularly to actively engage our youth in hands-on experiences. These activities, such as art classes, pet therapy sessions, holiday celebrations, and jewelry making workshops, are scheduled once or twice a month.
    • Excursions: Our recreational outings are designed to foster a sense of camaraderie. These trips feature a variety of activities such as visits to the arcade, the Bronx Zoo, sporting events, Escape Rooms, and sculpture gardens. The youth work with the Wellness Coordinator to plan trips that are engaging and enjoyable. These outings take place 2 to 4 times per month, providing our youth with opportunities for fun and excitement.
  • Nutrition and Fitness
    • Onsite: Our onsite fitness and nutrition components include healthy eating and cooking workshops, yoga, sports clinics and field days.
    • Excursions: Trips include hiking, different activities in the park and special workshops on healthy cooking provided led by volunteers.
  • Spirituality/Harmony Connection
    • Dinners:Faith-based groups come in and have dinner with our youth focusing on different spiritual such as, love, honesty, and trust. Often, these topics are feelings our youth may have a hard time identifying or exhibiting. The conversations are open, safe spaces.

The annual Giving Thanks Concert is the celebration of the wellness program’s three components:

  • Arts and Recreation,
  • Nutrition and Fitness, and
  • Spirituality 

Questions? Contact Katie Huber, khuber@visionsandpathways.org

Transitions Aftercare Services

The Transitions program offers services to youth who have completed a Visions and Pathways program and desire to continue receiving support. Our goal is to assist youth and young adults in establishing community-based support systems and fostering positive relationships. By doing so, we aim to enhance the likelihood of these individuals leading fully independent lives.