Visions and Pathways receives $3,260 grant for Prosperity Technology Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Danielle Radigan

908-526-6605 ext. 313; dradigan@visionsandpathways.org

October 25, 2017

Bridgewater, N.J. (October 31, 2017) Suzanne Balian and the AT&T Pioneers of Chapter 139 donated a $3,260.85 grant to Visions and Pathways for their Prosperity Technology Center. The donation is part of AT&T Pioneers ‘Answering the Call’ campaign. The grant helped Visions and Pathways (V&P) purchase four desktops, two laptops, and one all-in-one color printer for their new computer lab.  The lab also has internet access. AT&T’s campaign is focused on improving high school retention rates and preparing students – especially those most at-risk – for college or to pursue a career.

“The AT&T Pioneers’ generosity is remarkable,” said David Walker, Visions and Pathways’ CEO.  “The donation will be used to support our Prosperity independent living skills program” Walker continued. V&P’s Prosperity program helps youth obtain employment, continue their education, pursue vocational training and take the steps necessary to live independently.  The program helps youth throughout Central and Northern New Jersey.

Prosperity Program Description

Established in 1986, Prosperity is an independent living skills program for youth ages 14 to 21. The independent living skills program’s clients include V&P group home residents, youth who are in foster homes throughout New Jersey as well as youth who are not currently in the child welfare system who are referred by family members, schools, faith-based groups and other community organizations.  Prosperity provides activities of daily living instruction, career counseling and employment preparation through workshops, mentoring and one-on-one counseling. Workshops include a broad range of topics such as loans/financial aid, employment searches, insurance purchases, budgeting and STD/Pregnancy Prevention. Ultimately, Prosperity helps decrease the probability of long-term dependence on public assistance, incarceration and other detrimental life experiences. During a typical year, Prosperity assists more than sixty (60) youth.

Prosperity Technology Center

Access to appropriate technology and space that is conducive to learning is often a challenge for Prosperity’s youth.  Most youth in V&P group homes have a roommate and the rooms have limited study space. Prosperity’s youth living in the community frequently do not have a reliable computer with up-to-date software. Lack of appropriate technology poses a barrier to academic success and obtaining employment.

The AT&T Pioneer’s support helped to establish a Prosperity Technology Center to meet local youth’s need for reliable computers and a space that is conducive to learning and searching for employment.

For more information about Visions and Pathways, contact David Walker, Esq., MSW at 908-526-6606 ext. 304 or dwalker@visionsandpathways.org.

About Visions and Pathways

Visions and Pathways provides abused, neglected, homeless, and runaway youth with housing, a stable environment, and supportive services that guide them in becoming self-sufficient. Since 1970, over 8,000 youth throughout New Jersey have come to seek shelter, food, clothing, and support services. The agency provides 11 programs: Brahma House residential crisis intervention program; Passages, My Place and Whitney House residential transitional-living programs; Prosperity independent-living skills education program; Street Smart street outreach program; Transitional Learning Center for in-house education instruction; Bridge House and Village House, supportive-housing for aged-out youth, an Arts and Recreation Program and Transitions aftercare program.