Project U.S.E.

Project U.S.E. recently signed a lease on a new building in Newark, NJ. The new facility will allow Project U.S.E. to offer enhanced services and programming to the community, which is has served for over thirty-five years. The cornerstone offering will be a re-entry program for young men (ages 17-23) who are returning to the area after a period of incarceration. Project's significant experience in innovative programming at the Costello Preparatory Academy and the Capital Transition Program serves as a solid foundation for this exciting new venture. Using a wood shop to build furniture, the 32-week experience will provide participants with the opportunity to continue their education and earn their GED (if needed), learn and refine marketable jobs skills, and prepare to be productive members of the work force. The wood shop will also serve as a resource for Project U.S.E's Boat Building Program which is now offered in Newark's Link and North Star schools. Other areas of the building will serve as centers for on-site character building programs through our Wildcat Program, and community classroom/training areas which will be made available to outside groups. The building is primely located on Central Avenue, across from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and minutes from schools we serve and public transportation. The new institute is due to have its Grand Opening in the Fall. Please contact Danise Cavallaro below if you would like to learn more about our Newark facility and its offerings.

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	HOPE ACADEMY STUDENTS DISPLAY THEIR HAND-MADE BOAT \| June 4th, 2008 The students of Hope Academy Charter School, under the guidance of Project U.S.E.'s Danise Cavallaro, proudly unveiled the result of their months-long collaboration: a beautiful sail boat made completely by hand! The students shared their learning process, described the use of various parts of the boat, and answered questions from the audience. The boat was successfully launched Monday June 9th in Asbury Park's Deal Lake. View the Asbury Park Press article and photo gallery of the event here. Hope Academy's Boat Building opportunity was made possible by the generous support of the Horner Education Trust and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. The photos feature: Boat-building students of Hope Academy and Anne Marie, Carolyn and Gabby Horner of the Horner Education Trust.

	PROJECT U.S.E. JOINS THE NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE COALITION \| May 21, 2008 Project U.S.E. along with hundreds of fellow members of The No Child Left Inside Coalition recognize the need for high-quality environmental instruction in schools. A 2008 study by the Center on Education Policy documented that schools, pressured by the federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind Law, have had to sacrifice time spent on subjects such as environmental education, science and social studies in order to prepare for high-stakes tests in math and reading. Many teachers and parents also report that field trips and time devoted to outdoor learning activities have been cut to give more time to tested subjects. The No Child Left Inside Act would help address this problem by giving new incentives and support to school systems to provide environmental education. The Act also recognizes that high-quality environmental education often requires students to use math, reading, science and writing skills as they pursue engaging activities. Research has shown that this type of education not only boosts academic achievement, but also eases attention deficit disorder, addresses obesity and helps prepare our youth to be environmentally literate in an age of climate change and other environmental challenges. Find out more >>

	OPEN ENROLLMENT WILDERNESS ADVENTURES \| Summer & Fall 2008 You can now register for our Open Enrollment Summer and Fall 2008 Courses. Through our Wildcat Wilderness Mountain Program, Project U.S.E. offers a variety of invigorating and inspiring hands-on outdoor experiences in the natural treasures of New Jersey and New England designed for children, families or organizations. Expeditions include hiking and camping along the Appalachian Trail, Wilderness Medicine Training and certification, canoeing the Delaware Rapids and introductory courses in rock climbing and camping-to name a few! Join our proficient guides for a challenging and fun trip with great rewards. View Courses Here \| Contact Wildcat Director, Tom Arnold

	PROJECT U.S.E. TO OPEN NEW FACILITY IN NEWARK \| Spring 2008 Project U.S.E. recently signed a lease on a new building in Newark, NJ. The new facility will allow Project U.S.E. to offer enhanced services and programming to the community, which is has served for over thirty-five years. The cornerstone offering will be a re-entry program for young men (ages 17-23) who are returning to the area after a period of incarceration. Project's significant experience in innovative programming at the Costello Preparatory Academy and the Capital Transition Program serves as a solid foundation for this exciting new venture. Using a wood shop to build furniture, the 32-week experience will provide participants with the opportunity to continue their education and earn their GED (if needed), learn and refine marketable jobs skills, and prepare to be productive members of the work force. The wood shop will also serve as a resource for Project U.S.E's Boat Building Program which is now offered in Newark's Link and North Star schools. Other areas of the building will serve as centers for on-site character building programs through our Wildcat Program, and community classroom/training areas which will be made available to outside groups. The building is primely located on Central Avenue, across from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and minutes from schools we serve and public transportation. The new institute is due to have its Grand Opening in the Fall. Please contact Danise Cavallaro below if you would like to learn more about our Newark facility and its offerings. dcavallaro@projectuse.org

	HOPE FLOATS - Asbury Park Press Article \| February 13th, 2008 Eight students of Hope Academy Charter School in Asbury Park, NJ learn how to build a skiff with Danise Cavallaro of Project U.S.E's Boat Building Program. Through their hands-on experience, these 6th - 8th grade students learn scientific concepts and challenge themselves in a safe and fun environment. Read about their adventure in the Asbury Park Press' article, Hope Floats. Stay tuned for the skiff's launch this spring! Asbury Park Press Article, Hope Foats [3 KB pdf] \| dcavallaro@projectuse.org

	ANNUAL APPEAL RAISES THOUSANDS \| January 2008 In 2007 Project U.S.E. received almost $10,000 in donations from alumni, friends of Board members, and various other supporters. This unrestricted money is enabling us to improve programming, offer scholarships and enhance our infrastructure in order to provide better services to our clients. We are grateful to everyone who gave so generously! support us \| contact us

	COSTELLO COMMITMENT AWARDED TO JERMAINE BRIGHT \| January 2008 The 2007 Costello Commitment Award, (created in memory of Project U.S.E.'s founder, Phil, and the dedication to Project U.S.E. he modeled), was presented to Jermaine Bright. Currently the Assistant Director at Costello Preparatory Academy, Bright began his career with Project U.S.E. in 2000 when he was hired as a Youth Worker at Edison Prep. Upon presenting the award, Mike Bagley, Project U.S.E.'s Executive Director, stated that Jermaine was the key staff member during the transition of Edison Prep. into Costello Preparatory Academy in March of 2007, and without him the changeover would have been drastically more challenging. He was there on the first morning in the new facility and immediately went to work on the mountainous task of rearranging the program in the new space. As other leaders have come and gone, Bright has remained the consistence presence for both staff and residents.

	PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL GRANTS AWARD \| October 15th, 2007 Pamela Faccone of Eatontown, NJ, a manager of health and wellness for Prudential Human and Community Resources, received a Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $250 for Project U.S.E. Faccone gave 70 hours of her time as a trustee of the board in 2006. She helped the board search for a new director, fund raise and implement new policies and procedures. Thank you Pam & Prudential!
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