TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Nicholas J. Sacco which would establish a grant program within the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to support youth mentoring programs Statewide was approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today by a vote of 4-1.
“If we’re going to seriously address the growing epidemic of gang crime in our communities, we have to provide meaningful alternatives for our children to help encourage them to make positive choices,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “The State has a legitimate public interest in supporting youth mentoring programs, because they help keep the youth of New Jersey out of trouble and prepare them to be productive members of society. This bill is about directing New Jersey’s children away from crime and preparing the next generation of State and national leaders.”