This past week, Macaroni Kid Sussex County had the pleasure to speak with and get to know one of our local, non-profit organizations called "Pass It Along". Since this operation offers such important services to the teens in our community, we wanted to make sure you all knew about them.
Pass it Along is the only non-profit organization, based in Lafayette, solely committed to helping our local teens. This innovative program reaches over 100,000 teenagers and their families to instill confidence, resilience and compassion through volunteering opportunities, leadership roles such as Service Corps and goLEAD, and other related workshops.
If you have a teenager, or soon will, please view the information in the videos , volunteering and weekly-program calendars below, and join this wonderful organization now.
Here is Pass It Along's Annual Volunteering Calendar:
MLK National Day of Service (January): National day of service that celebrates Dr. King’s message of unity and service to all in need.
Pass It Along Day (May): Community service projects throughout Sussex, Warren, Morris & Essex counties including painting, landscaping, cooking, yard work and many other projects.
Youth Conference: A major event planned and attended by area high school students who learn about service and the issues affecting their community. Each school sends a delegation of students representing their high school. Students learn about volunteering from an inspirational speaker and participate in onsite service projects as well as team building activities.
Family Volunteer National Day of Service (November): Families (all ages welcome) help local families in need at the holiday season.
Season of Hope (December): Holiday giving for Sussex, Warren and Essex counties including toy collections, coat drive, cookie baking and more. (In partnership with Project Self Sufficiency)
Christmas in the City (December): Annual holiday collection and service event at multiple schools in Newark for inner city children. (In partnership with the House of Mercy, Newark, NJ)
Their Weekly Programs Include:
Compadres - Peer mentors work with families enrolled in the Pathways to Prosperity program, a program designed to move families out of intergenerational poverty by assisting children with homework or school projects, playing educational games, engaging in recreational activities, participating in group and educational structured activities, reading books, etc. The activities are centered on the child’s personal and academic well-being and convey the message, “You matter and I care about you.”
Ryan’s Cases–Volunteers make brightly colored, child friendly pillowcases to be donated to local children’s hospitals serving terminally ill children.
Cooking with a Mission - Volunteers prepare a bag lunch at the House of Mercy Mission Soup Kitchen in Newark.
Hardyston Charitable Gardens – Volunteers plant, maintain, irrigate and harvest produce in these two local charity gardens. All produce is donated to local food pantries to support families in need.
Knit & Crochet for a Cause - PIA teens and adult volunteers participate in this unique program knitting and crocheting baby blankets, hats, scarves and gloves that are donated to families and individuals in need.
OSCAR Shelter Helpers - Volunteers help to renovate the new OSCAR animal shelter, clean cages, walk dogs, and more!
Pet Therapy - Volunteers share their well-behaved pets with the seniors residing at the Homestead Nursing Home.
Manna House Spaghetti Dinners – Volunteers help set up tables, serve meals, and talk to guests.
Just Read – Volunteers work weekly as mentors to elementary students in need of one on one reading practice. Volunteers help cultivate student’s love of reading all while helping raise their overall reading proficiency.
SCARC Art, Basketball & Bowling- Volunteers provide physical assistance & social interaction while guiding & assisting developmentally challenged adults in weekly bowling matches, softball and basketball games, and working on art projects.
Talents & Treats- A fun filled evening for senior citizens residing at Knoll View Assisted Living Facility watching youth volunteers share their talent. All participants have dessert together at the end of the performance.
Tilly's Kids Programs - Our Tilly's Kids programs are designed to give one-on-one attention to at risk inner city youth who live below the poverty level. The program builds self-resiliency skills and promotes positive self-esteem.
Tilly's Kids at Swartswood State Park - This program offers a fun in the sun relaxing day at a state park. Recreational activities, swimming and lunch are enjoyed by Pass It Along teen volunteers who serve as mentors and “buddies” to Tilly's Kids participants.
Tilly's Kids Byram Day Camp - This program is designed to provide environmental education and awareness and meets two days a week during the summer months.
Tilly’s Kids School Year Program – Accompanied by teen volunteers Tilly’s Kids participate in monthly outings including attending high school football games, holiday parties, game days and attending high school musical productions.
***Pass It Along is also responsible for volunteer recruitment and management for the Sussex Warren Community Organizations Active In Disaster. |
With all these fabulous opportunities for our local teens, there are surely many activities your teen will enjoy!
To find out more, please contact Pass It Along NOW!
75 State Route 15 - Unit 62
Lafayette, New Jersey 07848
(973) 726-9777
