Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
At United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (UWMOC), we help children get off to a good start and empower young people to reach their full potential by breaking down barriers to success. In partnership with schools and community organizations, we connect young people with the resources and opportunities they need to shape bright futures. United is the Way we create pathways to success for every young person.
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Over 35,000 youth in Monmouth and Ocean County are living in poverty. Children in underserved and underserved communities often lack access to critical resources & services. |
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“The partnership between our school district and UWMOC exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing the diverse needs of students and families. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most, ensuring that every student has the resources and support they need to thrive academically and personally. “ - UWMOC School District Partner |
We partner with over 70 local schools throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties to address unmet needs for youth and their families. Each year, we help thousands of students in our community - supporting their wellness and basic needs – areas that also impact their ability to learn. Together, we are working to ensure all children have the resources & supports needed to thrive. Our current Youth Opportunity initiatives include:
Together, let’s make a difference for local youth – explore UWMOC’s Volunteer Portal: uwmoc.org/volunteer
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES INITIATIVES
- Building career pathways for youth
- Increasing student engagement and keeping them on track to succeed
- Providing hands-on learning opportunities and exposure to vocational trades
OUR PARTNER
Toms River Regional Schools
Project SPEAR-IT
CLICK HERE for the latest news about our Youth Career Pathways program
United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (UWMOC) is bridging the gap to a quality education for a brighter future. Our programs and partnerships in education provide much-needed support for youth to help them continue to grow and thrive.
As part of our education work, UWMOC developed the Youth Career Pathways initiative in 2019 to address the gap in exposure and awareness to a diverse array of career pathways, including vocational fields. Through that process, we partnered with Toms River High School South to create Project SPEAR-IT – a pre-apprenticeship program for freshmen who may be interested in pursuing vocational and technical careers. One of the goals of the program is to engage at-risk high school students early on to prevent them from becoming disaffected, which can lead to decreased attendance and dropping out of school altogether.
“There’s this notion that every kid has to go to college, but that isn’t the only pathway to having a good life,” said Timothy O’Leary, lead teacher of Project SPEAR-IT. “You can come out of vo-tech with a skill or a trade and make a great living for you and your family.”
Students in Project SPEAR-IT are exposed to a variety of skills, including electric, woodworking and even plumbing. The culmination of their learning experience was demonstrated through the capstone project for the 2021-22 school year, where students put their skills to the test to build nine lifeguard stands for Ortley Beach, which will be delivered to the town just in time for the summer.
Attendance rates for Project SPEAR-IT have been even stronger than expected, especially with students eager to get back into the classroom for this school year after over a year of distance learning. Even throughout the pandemic, the program’s virtual classes had a 98-percent attendance rate and kept students engaged.
“There are kids that aren’t really doing well in school, but they’re excited to learn and work on their projects,” adds Mr. O’Leary. “The program is keeping them interested and building their confidence. It’s amazing what United Way has done for our school. It’s like a dream come true, and I’m so proud to be a part of this project."
Stay tuned for more updates on the Youth Career Pathways program, including an expansion into Toms River High School North.
