|
Youth Profiles
Camden Community Connections is very proud of the progress and personal growth of our youth participants who have dedicated their time and energy to improve their lives. These are but a few of the many success stories at the Camden Community Connections Program.
*****
SHAAHID GARRETT
Shaahid Garrett is an 18-year old Adjudicated youth, born and raised in the city of Camden . He loves being around all types of positive people, and enjoys teaching any topic, subject, or skill. Shaahid hopes to someday become a self-employed real-estate broker, owning his own company.
Shaahid was referred to the Camden Community Connections program in December 2004, by his probation officer. During a conversation with the YCS clinicians, Shaahid admitted that he feels he doesn’t have any “real” friends and that he wants to succeed in life, so that he could leave his impoverished neighborhood. Through continued sessions with the clinicians, Shaahid will continue to verbalize his concerns and learn to develop the techniques, which will enable him to focus on his goals, to stay positive, and to fight any urges of succumbing to the pressures received from the environment of which he resides.
Shaahid entered Camden Community Connections with an academic mission: to Fast-Track the Education component in order to quickly receive his GED. After several sessions and minimum assistance from the Education instructors, Shaahid took the GED practice test, scoring 40 to 70 points above average in all subjects. On February 8 and 9, Shaahid took the GED exam with maximum confidence. As of this day, the results are pending.
Where is he now? Shaahid is an active participant of Camden Community Connections. He has been meeting regularly with the Education instructors and with Mr. Al Walker, the Director of Operations, seeking advice and assistance with educational, as well as, personal issues. Shaahid is currently enrolled in Camden County College , where he is expected to complete 12 semester hours in May 2006
CONGRATULATIONS !!
SHAAHID GARRETT !!!
Congratulations
to
Shaahid A. Garrett
on his
GED score
of
Shaahid only missed a perfect score by mere 60 points !!
What a great accomplishment.
.
*****************************
BRIAN COLEMAN
Brian Coleman is a 14-year old Pre-Adjudicated youth, born and raised within the city of Camden . He enjoys writing, performing the raps that he creates, drawing, playing sports and video games. Brian has hopes of one day of either becoming an NBA star or a comedian.
Brian was referred to the Camden Community Connections program in June 2004, by his mother. During Brian’s time in the program, YCS clinicians met with him regularly, and helped him to develop relaxation and calming techniques, which would enable him to be able to express himself more easily when in conflict with his peers, the staff, and with himself.
During his program experience, Brian accomplished many milestones:
Brian completed the Calvert assessment in November 2004. He is currently in the honor roll at Penn Tech, where he earned an invitation to a special breakfast in honor of all those who has shown special scholastic achievements. Brian seeks assistance, whenever necessary, from the CCC education counselors. He continues to show a great interest in the topics discussed in all facilitated classes as evidenced by his enthusiastic participation.
Brian attended and completed the required amount of workshops and classes facilitated by the Life Skills counselors and program subcontractors of Sports Connections, Image and Attitude, Jazz Journeys, and Learning for Life. Brian completed computer training, earning him a certificate of completion. His accomplishments enabled him to be awarded advancement into Step-Up phase of the program in September 2004.
November-December 2004, Brian He elected to volunteer at Sacred Heart’s Christmas Food Banquet and selected the Camden Children’s Garden at the Waterfront as his community service site, receiving a certificate of appreciation from the establishment.
Where is he now? Brian is a Freshmen at Penn Tech. He is also a resident artist for CCC Virtua. He was asked to do a mural for the community with a group of other artists.
****
SHARMYRA PEARSON
Sharmyra Pearson is a 17-year old Pre-Adjudicated youth, who resides within the city of Camden . She enjoys singing, drawing, and reading. Sharmyra has aspirations of someday becoming a professional singer, lawyer, or fashion designer.
Sharmyra was admitted to the Camden Community Connections program in November 2003. Since she began meeting with the YCS clinicians, Sharmyra has made significant progress with beginning to verbalize her true feelings. Sharmyra has come to recognize her negative patterns of behavior and continues to seek support and ideas of change.
During her program experience, Sharmyra accomplished many milestones:
Since completing the Destinations, TABE, and the Calvert assessments, Sharmyra’s effort into education enhancement has improved. She has improved two skill levels and has mastered five assigned tasks in English, Reading , and Math.
Sharmyra completed Safe Haven in December 2003. During this time, she was very active and compliant as she participated in the assigned workshops. Sharmyra claims to have mastered and adapted the concepts of CHOICES, Goal-Setting, Relationships, and Overcoming Obstacles in her dealings with her family and peers. Because of her positive participation in the workshops facilitated by the Life Skills counselors and the program’s subcontractors, Sharmyra was approved to move into the Step-Up component of the program in March 2004.
Sharmyra has shown great enthusiasm and dedication during her participation in the employment component of the program. She’s participated, with positive interactions, with the sub-contractors of Jazz Journeys, Image and Attitude, and Learning for Life, she worked as a CCC student aid, and in May-August 2004, Sharmyra chose The Learning Tree as her community service site. After a brief summer break, Sharmyra returned to begin her Paid Work Experience at the Children’s Garden at the Waterfront.
Where is she now? Sharmyra is currently an active participant in the Camden Community Connections program. She is in the Paid Work Experience phase, being paid $5.50/hr for approximately 29 bi-weekly hours. She unknowingly serves as a role-model to the other participants, who have hopes of accomplishing the goals achieved by Sharmyra Pearson.
****
JONATHAN MARTINEZ
Jonathan Martinez is an 18 year-old Adjudicated youth, born in Brooklyn , New York , but currently resides within the city of Camden . He enjoys playing football and basketball. When asked about his future employment goals, Jonathan says he wants to someday obtain any position which would require him to work with his hands.
Jonathan was referred to the Camden Community Connections program in April 2004 by his Probation Officer. Almost instantly after arrival, Jonathan became comfortable speaking openly to the YCS clinicians about his issues regarding his pending charges. He would also seek their advice on personal issues, especially those regarding the upbringing of his son. Jonathan was always receptive to recommendations and eventually came to make positive decisions on his own.
During his program experience, Jonathan accomplished many milestones:
Jonathan asked the education counselors for their assistance in obtaining his GED. The counselors would spend time prepping him in Math and Social Studies. He came to excel in all areas he understood, developing a keen interest in what he studied.
Jonathan completed the Ansell-Casey in June 2004. He enjoyed answering the questions and offered positive feedback upon completion. Jonathan attended many workshops. He also attended a seminar entitled Teens on Track, earning him a certificate of completion from Planned Parenthood. After completing the required workshops of the Life Skills component, Jonathan was approved to enter the Step-Up phase of the program.
Jonathan had positive participation with the subcontractors of Image and Attitude, Sports Connection, and Jazz Journeys. He participated in community service with Camden Community Connections as a Movie Critic and a clerical assistant. Jonathan obtained unsubsidized employment at two different sites. In July-September 2004, he was employed at Uptown Blues in the Pennsauken Mart, earning $6.00/hr, and in October-January 2005, he was employed at a Wal-Mart in Cinnaminson , earning $7.00/hr.
Where is he now? Jonathan currently works at a Hess Gas Station on
Admiral Wilson Blvd
in Camden . His progress is being monitored monthly by the Camden Community Connections Employment Coordinator. Jonathan continues to receive assistance from the CCC staff whenever possible.
Letitia Shelley is a 19-year old Adjudicated youth, born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , but currently resides within the city of Camden . She enjoys dancing. Letitia’s short-term goal is to obtain employment with the assistance of Camden Community Connections. Her long-term goal is to someday become a successful psychologist.
Letitia was admitted to the Camden Community Connections program in July 2004. She has been meeting regularly with the YCS clinicians, obtaining advice on various personal issues. Letitia proves to be very mature and decisive in handling the obstacles that lay in her pathway to adulthood.
Letitia completed Destinations in August 2004. She is actively pursuing her GED while enrolled in the Camden Community Connections GED-Prep program.
In August 2004, Letitia completed the Ansell-Casey assessment. The results yielded an indication that Letitia regularly practiced the pertinent life skills which were scheduled to be lectured. Between August-October 2004, Letitia participated in various workshops. She participated in a Leadership and Entrepreneurship workshop, a computer training workshop, and sessions facilitated by the subcontractors of Sports Connections, Jazz Journey, and Image & Attitude. Letitia received praises of excellence from all instructors.
Letitia experienced numerous personal issues throughout the month of November, which cause her to have inconsistent attendance. Despite her absences, the instructor and clinicians have been keeping updated on her whereabouts and well-being, and invited her to return to the program as soon as time permits and her situation resolves. Letitia returned to the program in December 2004. She worked at Virtua as a Kitchen and Copying Assistant December-January 2004.
Where is she now? Letitia is working at Rosewood Nursing Facility in Maple Shade . Her progress is being monitored by the Camden Community Connections Employment Coordinator monthly. She continues to report, whenever possible, to the education counselors for assistance in obtaining her GED.
****
We will be highlighting different youth participants each month,
so don't forget to save us as one of your favorites!!
|
|
|
1000 Atlantic Avenue Fifth Floor Camden, New Jersey 08104
Telephone: 856. 966. 3606 Facsimile: 856. 966. 6745
|
|