ALUMNI VOLUNTEER FOR NEWARK COMMUNITY CLEANUP

West Caldwell, NJ July 1 -

CEC Alumni members in New Jersey participated in their first cleanup of the season, transforming a neighborhood in the west ward of Newark on a summer weekend in early June. The group was invited by Newark city management officials, to take part in a weekly volunteer cleanup of the city.

“It is very satisfying to give back to the community in a group effort,” said Arthur Townes, Director of the CEC Alumni Association. “We received the message of unity and support through our shared path of reentry programming, and we continue to practice what we learned through giving back to the community and helping others.”

Ten alumni members showed up on a recent Saturday to help out at a meeting point where the city distributed trash bags, brooms, rakes and cleaning tools. Upon arrival at their assigned location the alumni members got to work and removed debris, swept, cleaned, and gave the street a tidy new appearance.

“Local residents came out of their houses to extend their thanks to us; they wanted to let us know they appreciated our being there,” said Mr. Townes.

The cleanup will take place every weekend throughout the summer, and the Alumni Association has several members that have expressed interest in participating. All were glad to have joined in and felt a sense of gratification by helping the community.

The Alumni Association is comprised of former offenders who have successfully completed a CEC program. As mentors, alumni are available to offenders, before and after release, to provide referral assistance and encourage them to set goals, find jobs, and utilize social services. The Association experiences continuing growth, as more residents transition to the community and become involved by volunteering at community service events similar to the Newark cleanups.

CEC is the leading provider of offender reentry, in-prison treatment and jail management services in America, operating in 16 states and the Commonwealth of Bermuda. CEC provides a full range of therapeutic residential and non-residential reentry services with a documented record of reducing recidivism.