Kelly honored for efforts in helping at-risk children
Understanding that awareness and knowledge is key to helping children stay away from a life of crime and drugs, John Brogan, and Daniel Duddy, co-directors of Outta-Bounds, recently honored Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as director of Law and Public Safety, for his work in helping at-risk children.

Outta-Bounds is a program initiated in Ocean County to benefit suburban and inner-city youths by helping them to develop a better understanding of one another's culture.

Teens are brought together for a series of basketball contests and afterward a lunch and group discussion about the reality of each other's lives. Together they discover a mutual understanding of the love of sports, especially basketball, the everyday temptations teenagers face, including drugs and alcohol, and how the importance of following rules pays off in both games and in life, according to a press release.

"We are here today to recognize Freeholder Jack Kelly in his efforts to help atrisk children in Ocean County," Brogan said. "The Truth About Gangs (TAG) program, provided by Ocean County's Department of Juvenile Services, is one of the newest in reaching out to our youths. We thank Freeholder Kelly for his determination to do whatever is possible to help atrisk children."

Presenting Kelly with Outta-Bounds' gold medal award was Otis Davis, a twotime Olympic gold medalist (1960, track and field) and Outta-Bounds spokesman.

"It is an honor to be given this award. The program and services available through the Department of Juvenile Services are here to help the at-risk youth of Ocean County develop intomore secure individuals, to promote positive changes in their personal development, and remain productive and socially adjusted members of the community," Kelly said.

"Providing not only the children of Ocean County but also their parents and professionals working with children, information on the truth about gangs through the TAG program is just one of the ways we try to reach out to the youths here," the freeholder added.

According to the press release, the objective of TAG is to prevent gang membership by educating youths on the myths of the gang lifestyle. Gang violence is on the rise and many gangs are using schools as recruiting grounds.

The TAG program is presented in predominantly elementary schools reaching fourth- through sixth-graders. Speakers lecture on the gangs in the region, discuss local trends, the "draw" of the gang lifestyle, and present strategies, options and alternatives to gang membership, according to the press release.

"It's important to reach out to all students in the county through the TAG program," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the superintendent of schools. "Providing an education on the dangers of gangs can only help them to make the decision not to join."

"Freeholder Kelly is a true advocate for providing services and programs to at-risk children in the county, providing them with opportunities to succeed in life," said Robert Coughlin, director of the Ocean County Department of Juvenile Services.