Holiday Spirit Has Hit CHNJ

Fun and Festive

The holiday spirit has hit CHNJ throughout November and December even though our youth often come from challenging family situations. Given those family situations, holidays can be a painful trigger of unhappy memories. We are always so grateful for support from our community to make holidays full of joy and hope for our youth. We greatly appreciate all those groups who come together across the state to support our youth during these months.   Food and festivities have been abundant through their support as seen below.

In mid-November, stockings were hung and the tree was trimmed in Asbury Park thanks to the support of our Asbury Park Program Board.

To rave reviews from staff and youth, the Presentation Knights of Columbus prepared and served Thanksgiving dinner.

Youth at our Atlantic City site enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast provided by our good partners at Therapeutic Self-Care. 

In mid-November, the NCJW/Essex National Council Jewish Women prepared and provided 100 gift bags for our youth.

Holiday brunch at our Mom’s and Babies program, Raphael’s Life House, as provided by our RLH Program Board in early December.

Thoughtful employees at the McMahon Agency in Ocean City lovingly baked homemade Christmas cookies for our youth in Atlantic City in mid-December.

In mid-December, Ocean Casino Resort hosted a cooking class. Our youth learned about meal prep and carefully crafted food for our AC. We enjoyed Caesar salad, prime rib, chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cannoli! Also provided was an abundance of Christmas gifts.

Thanks to global technology company Criteo for sponsoring a fabulous holiday dinner on December 18th.

But we still had work to do…

Our youth recently had the exciting opportunity to visit our long time supporter Samsung, at their Technical Training Center in Little Ferry. During the visit, we toured the facility and gained valuable insights into the latest advancements in technology and electronics. This experience was part of the Dove Learning Center’s and Samsung’s commitment to exposing students to diverse career pathways, sparking curiosity and inspiration for future opportunities in the tech industry. 

In addition to the tour, students participated in a hands-on workshop where they learned to diagnose and troubleshoot Samsung appliances and devices. Guided by skilled technicians, they used diagnostic tools and techniques to identify common issues, gaining practical, real-world experience. This opportunity not only enhanced their technical skills but also aligned with the Dove Learning Center’s goal of equipping youth with career exposure and readiness for industries like technology and electronics. 

Thanks to all the individuals, groups and companies who joined us these past two months to make a difference in the lives of our youth.

More Holiday Photos