Grant to aid youths in Lakewood

The Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Ocean (ADACO) was recently awarded $25,000 from the Department of State, New Jersey Office of Faith-Based Initiatives.

ADACO will be collaborating with three Lakewood organizations, combining a substance abuse prevention component with existing outreach services to at-risk African-American youth. Collaborating agencies are the Macedonia Baptist Church, Omega 13 Inc. and the St. John A.M.E. Zion Church.

The Macedonia Baptist Church's Family Life Community Complex "Rites of Passage" program provides youths from low- and middle-income families with education about their ancestors, the importance of high self-esteem, lessons of the civil rights movement, the value of a formal education and the value of learning employment ethics and skills.

The Omega 13 Inc. "Mother to Son Program" is designed for grade school boys and their mothers. The program addresses at-risk behaviors such as negative attitudes toward learning, disruptive behavior and negative self-image. The program also provides a positive educational experience for mothers who may have been disaffected with their own educational experience.

The St. John A.M.E. Zion Church initiated its homework/tutoring program in 2005 with four children. Attendance now averages more than 25 children.

ADACO is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of alcoholism, other drug addiction and related problems.