Hudson County Community College Hosts NJ Reentry Corporation’s Inaugural Summer Training Institute
May 11, 2023
May 11, 2023, Jersey City, NJ – On Wednesday, May 10th, the New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) held a press conference to launch its Summer Training Institute for court-involved young adults at Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) Culinary Conference Center.
This innovative program will provide 175 court-involved young adults, ages 18-25, with comprehensive job training and industry-recognized credentials that will ready them for a variety of in-demand and family-sustaining careers. Participants will have the opportunity to take courses on general construction and forklift operation while earning OSHA 30 certification. Participants can also take culinary courses, Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses at RJW Barnabas, and courses on phlebotomy and becoming a peer recovery specialist (a professional who has successfully completed the recovery process and now helps others going through the same process). Additionally, they can learn Microsoft basics and receive Cisco Certification.
Participants in the press conference at HCCC announcing the launch of NJ Reentry Corporation’s inaugural Summer Training Institute, including NJRC founder and chairman, former New Jersey governor James McGreevey, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, and others.
Summer Training Institute participants will also gain access to NJRC’s full array of wraparound services, such as enrollment in federal and state benefit programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, plus the offerings of the Francine A. Lefrak Wellness Center that provides medical, behavioral, and dental health screenings. Additionally, the Hudson County Department of Housing and Community Reintegration will provide supportive family services to participants.
Courses will take place this summer over two sessions. Group 1 begins on June 26th and concludes on July 28, while Group 2 runs from July 31st through August 31st. Classes are from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM each day. Interested participants can register online beginning May 22nd at njreentry.org or via Eventbrite, or in-person at the NJRC Training Center located at 195 Campus Drive in Kearny, NJ on May 23, June 1, and June 6. Interested participants can also email scastillo@njreentry.org for more information.
HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber stated that “Hudson County Community College and NJRC have a close working partnership. We have been honored to work together to provide ‘industry-recognized’ credentials to NJRC program participants across a wide range of skills-based training including phlebotomy, welding, culinary, and computer basics. The NJRC Summer Training Institute will provide young adults with skills and a direction, which will establish future careers.”
Speakers at the launch included New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) Founder and Chairman, former New Jersey Governor James McGreevey, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, and NJ Council of County Colleges President Aaron Fitchner. Labor organizations such as the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) and the Eastern Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters also participated. Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Workforce Development Nicholas Toth spoke about investing in the state’s labor force. Local leadership including Jersey City Council President, Joyce Watterman, and Hudson County Department Director of Housing and Community Reintegration Frank Mazza also participated in the event, along with Jenny Davis, the Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Pastor Raul Ruiz of the NJ Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers read the opening prayers spoke about the importance of community engagement, and Tamika McReyolds, First Lady of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Jersey City and Hot 97’s DJ Wallah discussed the importance of summer programs and youth engagement. Reverend Ritney Castine of the Mount Pisgah AME Church in Jersey City concluded the event with closing remarks and a prayer.