MISSION

IYO's mission is to empower disenfranchised youth and their families to take responsibility for themselves and their community through programs and services that promote positive social and civic values; to create opportunities for self-improvement through academic instruction, employability training, community service, and to implement intervention strategies to foster family stabilization and neighborhood preservation.

Target Area, Population Served and Need
IYO works with people, communities and families in great need, its primary target area of 122 square blocks designated "Neighborhood 3" under the federal Enterprise Community (EC) plan has been regarded as one of the most depressed sections of Newark, according to the Census, and has been classified as severely depressed. Many of the residents of this area are poor, with limited education and job skills, living in public / private rental dwellings. IYO is located at the junction of the South-West-Central quadrants of the City, bordering on the Eastern part of Irvington which, like the IYO area, is also ridden with crime and lack of industrial employment. IYO has been cited by officials from the Prudential Foundation, Public Service Electric & Gas and Verizon, as being in an "isolated" area, (away from Downtown) and the only "beacon of light" in the area offering comprehensive services Newark itself, still has tremendous odds against young people succeeding, although dramatic changes have taken place, especially over the last two years. Due to urban renewal, not to mention the damage created by the tragedy of 9-11-01, there is a demand for housing that is not quite so expensive in areas close to New York. The demand for Newark housing has increased. The situation is further complicated by the nation's new philosophy against "high rise projects." IYO is experiencing a growing population influx into its area from other areas that are being built up. This population is comprised mainly of residents who have moved into sharing situations; with friends, some relatives, but mostly sharing space not adequately suited for such.

Facts & Stats

Many young people, ages 16 to 25, are high school non-completers. There have often been problems which impacted that circumstance including: drugs, involvement in the juvenile justice system, young parenting challenges and teenage pregnancy, supervision by the Division of Youth and Family Services, shattered family structures, homelessness, and peer pressures. The time comes when a second chance is wanted. When the young person realizes the need to make changes in his/her life and also in his/her community, it is time to investigate enrolling in the New Jersey Youth Corps / Newark—Essex County at the International Youth Organization (IYO).

When enrollees first enter the program, instructors assess their skills in various areas. Student candidates take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) in reading and math. For successful completion they must test at or above the 8th grade level in reading. They must also meet WIA eligibility standards. During Orientation month, an educational plan for GED test preparation is developed according to each individual's needs.