BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD––The Zone, an innovative program that offers mental health, educational and wellness support to hundreds of school children in Englewood, has been a huge success. But, without continued funding, the program cannot continue.
Ten years ago, the Bergen Family Center opened The Zone, a school-based youth services program providing mental health and prevention services to Dwight Morrow High School students. In the Zone program, students and supervisors meet in a friendly, comfortable room where they discuss crucial social issues, such as preventing and dealing with bullying, sexual violence, particularly amongst athletes, drug and alcohol addition, etc. The Zone leaders also provide assistance with academic challenges that students may be having, and they meet with and offer guidance to parents as well.
Last year, with the support of state, county and local philanthropy, The Zone came to Janis E. Dismus Middle School. In its first year, The Zone provided these middle school students with critical support, prevention and intervention services designed to help students reach their full potential. Close to 100 percent of the student population accessed services, including confidential counseling, tutoring, health and wellness education and other supports.
In a letter to DCF Commissioner Allison Blake, a seventh grade student shared, “I feel secure going to The Zone to talk. It has made me feel more confident about myself and I made honor roll every marking period.”
A JDMS teacher echoed these thoughts by sharing, “If it weren’t for the support system that The Zone provides, students would not have gotten the professional help they needed to work through their life traumas.”
The middle school years are critical in adolescent development. The Zone’s staff is dedicated to providing the academic, social and emotional supports students require at this age.
The Zone is now looking to keep its doors open in the middle school, and, to do so, funding is needed immediately. Without the community center that the Zone provides, many students will lack the appropriate care and enrichment that they so desperately need.
Donations to The Zone can be made by using its new funding website: gofundme.com/thezonebfc.
Olga Correa, M.Ed., program manager of the ZONE at the Janis E. Dismus Middle School, says, “No donation is too small. Funds raised will help provide comprehensive services dedicated to helping our youth reach their full potential.”
For more information, contact Liz Corsini, director of programs at BFC, at (201) 568-0817.
File photo/Hillary Viders