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LUMBERTON, N.J. — In an effort to improve the safety of the residents of South Jersey by reducing incidents of violence, Rep. Rob Andrews (NJ-01), today, joined with Family Service of Burlington County to break ground on their new 25,000 square foot Center for Children and Families. The facility, which will house four Family Service programs, will be located in Lumberton. Family Service is a community based mental health agency with the mission of providing dynamic, preventative and therapeutic mental health and related services to families, children, groups and individuals in Burlington County and South Jersey. Among other missions, Family Service aims to reduce incidents of violent behavior through counseling and rehabilitation programs.
Rep. Andrews has joined with Rep. Jim Saxton to serve as honorary Co-Chairs for the organization's campaign to help them raise the remaining portion of an estimated $5 million to build a new facility in Lumberton. They have pledged to help the group identify sources of potential federal, state and private funding and to support those requests to help make the creation of this new facility a reality.
"By providing 24-hour, 7-day a week access, Family Service serves a critical need for our community serving as the emergency service for families in crisis," said Rep. Rob Andrews. "This organization consistently reaches out to help individuals who have no where else to turn during a time when help is needed most. I thank them for their tireless work to help make our region a safer place to live and work."
Family Service began at the grass roots level in 1960 when a group of social workers decided to investigate the need for a new counseling service in Burlington County, New Jersey. Today, Family Service continues to provide preventative and therapeutic behavioral health services for families, adults, adolescents and children in New Jersey, resulting in improved emotional well-being, successful community living and increased level of independent functioning. Family Service counselors help reduce incidences of violent behavior in South Jersey by administering to individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, parent-child conflicts, stress, death of a loved one, frustration about parenting, suicidal thoughts, divorce or separation, work related problems, drug and/or alcohol difficulties, or simply overwhelming circumstances.
As part of an entire day devoted to improving the safety of South Jersey by reducing incidents of violence, Rep. Rob Andrews visited Waterford Township Elementary School to commend Superintendent Gary Dentino and Principal Charles Delcamp on the success of the school's anti-bullying program. The program, which has been in effect for two years has helped to reduce incidents of conflict and violence at the school. Last year, Waterford Township Elementary was the recipient of a $4,000 Character Education grant from the federal government. This grant was made possible as a result of the passage of H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind Act, which Rep. Andrews with President Bush to help develop and pass into law.
"I am extremely impressed with the quality anti-bullying program here at Waterford Elementary. It is the model for what we planned when developing this legislation back in 2001," said Andrews. " I look forward to working with Superintendent Dentino and Principal Delcamp to help them in their application for additional funding for this upcoming year."
On a day devoted to keeping South Jersey safe, Rep. Andrews did not forget to thank the individuals who make that happen every day. The Congressman visited with officers of the Maple Shade Police Department who are recipients of a federal grant totaling $7,169.to purchase five new bulletproof vests. To date, Rep. Andrews has brought back over $172, 415 to help 21 police departments within the First Congressional District purchase bulletproof vests to protect these officers.
"These men and women are out every day in South Jersey keeping you and I safe. I am pleased that we were able to bring back federal funding to help them safe in the course of their duties," said Congressman Andrews. "Although, I am out in my district today discussing ways to reduce occurrences violence, I recognize that our law enforcement officials face potential violent offenders every time they put on their uniforms. |
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