Youth Programs and Services
Youth Corps (NJ Youth Corps – Union County)
Youth Corps is a comprehensive education and workforce development program serving young people ages 16–25 who have disengaged from traditional education pathways.
Through a structured, cohort-based model, participants receive:
- High School Equivalency (GED) preparation and academic instruction
- Life skills and leadership development
- Paid community service-learning experiences
- Career exploration and workforce readiness training
- Individualized case management and transition planning
Participants engage in a minimum of 450 hours of combined education and service, gaining both academic credentials and real-world experience.
The program emphasizes:
- Skill-building and measurable educational gains
- Leadership development through community service
- Clear pathways to employment, college, or training programs
Youth Corps reflects United Way’s role as a community convener, connecting youth to education partners, employers, and support services to ensure long-term success.
Comprehensive Career One-Stop for Youth Programs (In-School Youth & Out-of- School Youth)
United Way of Greater Union County serves as the Union County provider of the Comprehensive Career One-Stop for Youth within the Union County workforce system, delivering services to both In-School Youth (ISY) and Out-of-School Youth (OSY).
WIOA programming focuses on building career pathways aligned with high-demand industries, including healthcare, logistics, and skilled trades.
Participants receive access to 14 program elements:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program requires that all funded programs make the following 14 program elements available to participants (though not every youth must receive all elements):
- Tutoring, Study Skills Training, and Dropout Prevention
Activities that support academic success and help youth complete secondary education. - Alternative Secondary School Services or Dropout Recovery Services
Programs that help out-of-school youth re-engage and complete a high school diploma or equivalent. - Paid and Unpaid Work Experiences
Includes summer jobs, internships, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and job shadowing. - Occupational Skills Training
Training programs that lead to recognized credentials aligned with in-demand industries. - Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation Activities
Integrated education and training models combining academics with workforce readiness. - Leadership Development Opportunities
Activities that build leadership skills, responsibility, and positive social behaviors. - Supportive Services
Assistance such as transportation, childcare, housing, and other supports needed to participate. - Adult Mentoring
Ongoing mentoring relationships (minimum of 12 months) with caring, supportive adults. - Follow-Up Services
Continued support for at least 12 months after program completion to ensure success. - Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling
Includes academic, career, and mental health counseling services. - Financial Literacy Education
Instruction on budgeting, credit, savings, and financial decision-making. - Entrepreneurial Skills Training
Education on starting and managing a business or self-employment. - Labor Market and Employment Information Services
Information about in-demand industries, career pathways, and job opportunities. - Activities that Prepare Youth for Postsecondary Education and Training
Assistance with college applications, financial aid, and transition planning.
Through strong partnerships with the Workforce Development Board, employers, local nonprofits, and training providers, youth are connected directly to employment opportunities and long-term career pathways.
This work advances:
- Equitable access to economic mobility
- Data-driven outcomes and accountability
- Sustainable workforce pipelines for the region
Youth Services Partnership (New Initiative)
United Way of Greater Union County is launching a new Youth Services Partnership initiative to further strengthen coordination across youth-serving systems.
The Youth Services Partnership, will deliver a trauma-informed, community-based Individual and Family Counseling program designed to support youth ages 12–21 who are at risk of entering or are already involved in the juvenile justice system. This program operates within the Juvenile Justice Commission’s continuum of Prevention, Diversion, Disposition, and Reentry, with the goal of stabilizing youth, strengthening family functioning, and reducing involvement in the justice system.
Services will be delivered by a team of licensed clinicians, including at least one bilingual provider, ensuring culturally responsive and accessible care for Union County’s diverse population. Each enrolled youth and their family will participate in a structured course of care consisting of up to 15 trauma-informed counseling sessions, delivered in community-based settings or via telehealth, depending on family needs and accessibility.
The program begins with a comprehensive intake and assessment process to identify behavioral health needs, risk factors, and family dynamics. Based on this assessment, clinicians will develop an individualized service plan outlining treatment goals, intervention strategies, and expected outcomes. Counseling services will include both individual therapy for youth and family counseling sessions to strengthen communication, address conflict, and build supportive home environments.
In addition to clinical services, UWGUC and its partners will provide coordinated case management and referrals to address social determinants of health that may impact a youth’s progress, including access to housing, food, education, and employment supports. These supplemental services enhance the effectiveness of counseling interventions while remaining secondary to the program’s core clinical focus.
Through strong collaboration with community-based partners, schools, and service providers, the Youth Services Partnership ensures that youth are connected to a comprehensive network of supports while receiving consistent, high-quality clinical care.