CAMDEN, NJ – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced today that the Center for Family Services (CFS), located in Camden, will receive a $625,000 grant from the Department of Justice for a youth mentorship program targeted at those affected by the opioid crisis and drug addiction. The program, titled “Legacy Through Leadership,” will offer one-on-one and group mentoring to youth in Camden and Gloucester counties currently abusing or addicted to drugs, at risk for abusing drugs, and/or have family members who are currently abusing or addicted to drugs.

“Supporting our most vulnerable community members means providing resources for the children and families impacted by the opioid crisis and drug addiction,” said Congressman Norcross. “I’m hopeful that these federal resources will help change lives here in South Jersey. We will continue to work with our neighborhood partners to address the needs of all those in our community battling the disease of addiction or impacted by it, and I look forward to seeing how this funding positively impact our families and children in South Jersey by giving them the tools to succeed.”

“There continues to be a great need for recovery support services, and this grant award from the Department of Justice will open the door to high-impact services,” said Richard Stagliano, President & CEO at Center For Family Services. “Thanks to this important federal funding, youth will have access to trauma-informed counseling services, one-to-one mentoring, and group mentoring to support a pathway to recovery.”

According to the Department of Justice, Camden and Gloucester counties have seen an overall increase in drug-related hospital and overdose facility visits since 2008. This funding will allow CFS to recruit at least 62 mentors, of which at least 50 will be trained, accepted, and paired with youth. Recognizing the underlying individual, family, and community traumas that many youths served have lived through, “Legacy Through Leadership” will also pair mentoring with voluntary trauma-informed, evidence-based counseling.

The Center for Family Services works with neighborhood residents, schools, government leaders, corporate partners, and social services to support families and individuals.

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Contact: Britton Burdick, Communications Director
britton.burdick@mail.house.gov