Salem County Youth Services Commission
Funded Youth Programs
The Salem County Youth Services Commission (YSC) funds community-based programs that support youth development, prevent justice involvement, and provide alternatives to detention. Programs serve youth across Salem County in schools, families, and community settings.
Prevention & Youth Development Programs
Life Skills Empowerment Model
Gateway Wellness Center
- Focus: Social-emotional learning, peer support, and counseling
- Who It Serves: 50–80 youth (open to the public)
- What It Offers: School- and community-based groups focused on life skills, substance use prevention, and emotional well-being, with access to clinical counseling
AP Schalick MENTORS Program
Pittsgrove Township School District
- Focus: Mentorship and academic support
- Who It Serves: 50–200 middle and high school students
- What It Offers: Peer mentoring, tutoring, and support to improve confidence, attendance, and academic success
Appel Farm Arts Lab
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
- Focus: Creative arts and emotional expression
- Who It Serves: 50 Penns Grove Middle School students
- What It Offers: After-school and summer arts programming that builds confidence, emotional literacy, and healing through hands-on creative activities
Elsinboro Culture Club
Elsinboro Township School
- Focus: Cultural awareness and peer connection
- Who It Serves: 40 students
- What It Offers: Activities, field trips, and events that promote diversity, curiosity, and leadership
Quinton Culture Club
Quinton Township School
- Focus: Social-emotional development and leadership
- Who It Serves: 24–42 students (Grades 7–8)
- What It Offers: Student-centered programming that builds cultural awareness, community connection, and leadership skills
Pittsgrove PRIDE Program
Pittsgrove Township Schools
- Focus: Character education and positive youth development
- Who It Serves: 100–500 Pittsgrove Middle School students
- What It Offers: Student-led after-school clubs that encourage leadership, responsibility, and positive peer relationships
Pittsgrove Renaissance Program
Pittsgrove Township Schools
- Focus: Academic engagement and positive behavior
- Who It Serves: 100–500 middle school students
- What It Offers: A school-wide incentive program that rewards attendance, academic progress, and positive behavior
Justice-Involved Youth & Family Support
Justice-Impacted Family Engagement Program
Acenda, Inc.
- Focus: Family Court navigation and advocacy
- Who It Serves: 10–20 youth and families
- What It Offers: Support for families involved with or at risk of Family Court involvement, helping them understand the process, access services, and reduce repeat system involvement
Multi-Tiered Detention Alternatives Program
Acenda, Inc.
- Focus: Community-based alternatives to detention
- Who It Serves: Up to 50 court-referred youth
- What It Offers: In-home supervision, home detention, and GPS monitoring that allow youth to remain in the community while meeting court requirements
Probation Enrichment & Transportation (PET) Program
Salem County Vo-Tech & Salem County Probation
- Focus: Probation support and family engagement
- Who It Serves: Youth on probation
- What It Offers: Enrichment activities, probation orientation, family involvement, and transportation to reduce violations and improve outcomes
BRIDGE Program
Salem County Vocational Technical School
- Focus: Education, workforce training, and reentry support
- Who It Serves: Youth ages 16–21 on probation or referred through law enforcement
- What It Offers: Evening trade exploration, job readiness, counseling support, meals, and transportation in 15-week sessions throughout the year.
