The Base
The mission of the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) is to provide students year round intervention and supportive services that are holistic, promotive, and protective of healthy adolescent development and well-being. School based staff are passionate, driven, and strength-based advocates for collaborative partnerships with all who share our passion to motivate and empower our youth.
About Us
The youth we serve and staff strive to create a safe environment, as well as a place to seek guidance and mentorship. Funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, SBYSP services are confidential and offered free of charge to all Perth Amboy High School (PAHS) students ages 14-19.
Together with the JRF and Department of Children & Families, we aim to enrich and enhance the lives of the youth we serve, while increasing their likelihood in attaining necessary career, vocational skills, as well seeking higher education. We are lucky enough to work with other passionate, strength, and community based system partners that provide quality services in our Perth Amboy and other serving communities.
“The Base” is proud to work with the Perth Amboy School District and the wonderful staff at our Main Campus on Eagle Avenue.
SBYSP provides the following but are not limited to:
Counseling Services
A full-time Mental Health Counselor offers students the opportunity to receive confidential counseling focusing on all issues related to school, home, in the community. The Mental Health Counselor is available for individual, group and family counseling sessions. Some of the topics addressed by this worker include but are not limited to the following:
- Drugs/Alcohol
- Physical/Sexual Abuse
- Family Conflicts
- Peer Pressure
- Relationships
- Eating Disorders
- Violence Prevention
- Anxiety/Depression
Conflict Resolution
Staff that are trained in problem-solving serve as mediators to help students resolve issues safely and confidentially. This service has alleviated physical altercations and future continued conflicts.
College Preparation
SBYSP provides a number of college prep services to the students at the PAHS and assist them with the following:
- College Search
- College application process
- Financial Aid information
- Filling out FAFSA and HESAA applications
- (for English and Spanish speaking students)
- College Tours/Events
Summer Programming
SBYSP collaborates with Perth Amboy High School to offer a Summer Bridge Program. The Summer Bridge Program gives incoming students the opportunity to bridge into high school during the summer program. This program has several components including, academics, mentoring, and recreation. Academically, students have the opportunity to review what they have learned in the content areas offered and begin to work on the curriculum that they will be exposed to during the upcoming academic year. The mentorship component is facilitated by Perth Amboy High School Graduates who are enrolled in college. This component allows students participating in the Summer Bridge Program to learn from individuals who also grew up in their community and graduated from Perth Amboy High School. Mentors focused on providing them with valuable information regarding resources, facilities, and real life situations. Students have the opportunity to learn about the social stressors that they may experience. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in a weekly trip. It is our goal to provide students with knowledge and confidence to successfully navigate through adolescence and graduate from PAHS. In addition, the Summer Bridge Program provides the opportunity to introduce SBYSP staff and services to our incoming freshman.
Health Education
SBYSP collaborate with an outside community health provider to teach pregnancy prevention and sexual education in ninth-grade health classes. SBYSP staff also offer one-on-one sessions on risk reduction and healthy decisions.
Recreational Activities
A variety of recreation and enrichment programs are coordinated through the SBYSP to promote socialization, develop leadership skills, empowerment, mentorship, good health and positive self–esteem. These skills are developed through our Got Heart community service group and the Youth Community Leadership Academy. Some examples of past program events include local community clean-ups, assisting the underprivileged, Breast Cancer walks, Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, ski trips, holiday parties and much more.
Community Referral Service
SBYSP can provide referrals to local community agencies for those in need of social service assistance, immigration services, intensive mental health counseling, employment counseling, child care, transportation and more.
Contact Information
If you would like more information about any of our programs or wish to find out how to get involved, please contact:
Ms. Precious Ojeda
Program Coordinator
Phone: (732) 376-6030 ext. 23510 or (732) 508-7122
Email: [email protected]
