Pass It Along Programs

Pass It Along

Youth Driven Change That Matters™

our programs

For information on any of these programs you can also
call the office at 973-726-9777. Please see the calendar
for program dates.

Treats and Talent		Life Skills Classes at Birth Haven
Cooking for Interfaith Hospitality Network		Pass It Along, YMCA and Mentoring Plus After School Program
Pet Therapy		Tilly's Kids
Cooking with a Mission		Special Olympics
Girl Power		Adopt a Grandparent
Going Green		You've Got a Friend
SCARC Bowling		Kentwood Art Project
Homework Helpers		Swartswood State Park
Hot Topics		Knitting for a Cause
Nature Conservancy Program		Habitat for Humanity

Treats and Talent (top)

A fun filled evening for senior citizens and our youth volunteers. This program meets monthly at Knoll Heights in Sparta and at the Mt. Alverno Center in Warwick, N.Y. Youth volunteers perform group and individual instrumental, vocal, and dance pieces. Volunteers also serve and enjoy dinner and dessert with the seniors in attendance. For more information about this program, email kelly@passitalong.org.

Life Skills Classes at Birth Haven (top)

Various skills are brought to the girls living at this home for pregnant young women. Programs currently being offered are: Basic automobile care, financial skills such as balancing your checkbook, using credit cards wisely, and sewing, just to name a few. For more information about this program email kelly@passitalong.org.

Cooking with a Mission (top)

Once per month we will travel to the House of Mercy Mission in Newark, NJ to prepare, cook and serve a meal at a soup kitchen. Please contact sue@passitalong.org or kelly@passitalong.org.

Pass It Along, YMCA and Mentoring Plus After School Program (top)

Mentor and provide homework help for elementary age school children in several locations around Sussex County. For more information about this program email kelly@passitalong.org.

Pet Therapy (top)

Please join us with your well-behaved pet at the Homestead Nursing Home the last Wednesday of each month. The seniors are thrilled to meet and interact with the pets and their owners. The group meets at either 2pm or 6pm. For more information please contact Pat Bailey at 973-729-5015.

Tilly's Kids (top)

Be a mentor to inner city children that come to Sussex County from the House of Mercy Mission in Newark by participating in monthly programs as well as an extensive summer program. Summer volunteer opportunities are always needed. Please email sue@passitalong.org or kelly@passitalong.org.

Cooking for Interfaith Hospitality Network (top)

Volunteers are needed to help prepare, cook, and serve meals for individuals and families who are in a transitional homeless situation. Please email kelly@passitalong.org.

Special Olympic Training (top)

Be part of the Team! High school students will help train young adults and other high school students who participate in the Special Olympics program including swimming, basketball, bocce ball and track and field. Please email kelly@passitalong.org.

Girl Power (top)

Girl Power is a student-to-student mentoring program that pairs middle school girls with high school girls who serve as mentors. Meetings are held after school, during which the high school leaders conduct valuable lessons that address issues middle school girls face every day. Middle school girls are encouraged to share any positive news, concerns or problems they may have. The high school leaders are there to listen and to offer support and guidance when needed.

Girl Power helps middle school girls build self-esteem, learn the importance of community service and most importantly, benefit from a valuable relationship with a high school Girl Power mentor. In turn, the high school leaders gain a sense of accomplishment knowing they’ve helped make a difference in the lives of many young girls. This program takes place at Vernon, Sparta and Jefferson High Schools. Adult leaders are needed for all three programs. Please email donna@passitalong.org or marav@passitalong.org.

Adopt a Grandparent (top)

Spend time with and develop an ongoing relationship with a senior citizen that resides in an assisted living facility. Please email susandulles@aol.com or call 201-694-3631 to sign up.

Going Green (top)

Environmental programs addressing community needs. Please email kelly@passitalong.org for more information.

You’ve Got a Friend Program (top)

Pass It Along is be a part of the Circles™ program taking place in Sussex County this year. Circles™ is an innovative model based on a body of research suggesting that in order for families with low income to improve their situation, they must have bonding social capital within the community, bridging social capital to access the resources contained by higher income networks, and linking social capital that connects the first two with public institutions. The Circles initiative consists of a family working to get out of poverty and several middle and upper income Allies who befriend them and lend support.

Our program, You've Got a Friend, will be directed towards the children of these families. This program, led by our teen mentors, focuses on literacy and education enrichment, youth development, and community service. These activities will help the children involved increase their self esteem, self-image and life skills. The program meets on Tuesday evenings at the Sparta Presbyterian Church. Mentors, allies and adult program leaders are needed. Please email donna@passitalong.org for more information.

SCARC Bowling (top)

Assist mentally and physically challenged adults in a weekly bowling program. Help keep score, provide physical assistance and cheer the bowlers on. Please email kelly@passitalong.org for more information or to sign up for the program.

Kentwood Art Project (top)

PIA volunteers work with students from Kentwood Academy, a state approved, private school, that provides educational and therapeutic services to students whose educational and emotional needs are beyond that which traditional school settings can offer. The two groups of students draw, paint, create and socialize together. The intention of the art club is to give the students of this alternative high school an opportunity to grow socially with their peers. For more information, please call or text Tara at 973-600-2605.

Homework Helpers (top)

Twice a month teen volunteers from Pope John High School go to Rev. Brown School and help 1st through 8th graders with their homework and also work with students who need extra help in different subject matters according to their teachers.

Swartswood State Park (top)

Pass It Along volunteers help to provide needed beach and trail maintenance as well as bear safety and prevention programs at Swartswood State Park throughout the year. Please email kelly@passitalong.org for more information.

Nature Conservancy Program (top)

Pass It Along is pleased to partner with The Nature Conservancy a leading conservation organization that works around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. PIA volunteers work on various projects and programs throughout the year. Please email kelly@passitalong.org for more information. Dates and times vary depending on projects.

Habitat for Humanity (top)

Pass It Along is happy to partner with Habitat for Humanity, a people-to-people partnership drawing families and community together with volunteers and resources to build decent, affordable housing for people in need. If you are interested in volunteering, please call or text Peter Stegman at 973-222-9932.

Hot Topics (top)

This program brings youth together though discussion and action while providing opportunities for growth and exploration as an individual and as a part of a diverse community. It is a program that helps youth understand each other by being present in mind and body, being honest with ourselves and others, talking about our own experiences, and listening and giving everyone a chance to speak. Please email Tommy Hilcken at tommyhilcken@gmail.com for more information.

Knitting & Crocheting for a Cause (top)

Join other PIA teens and adult volunteers in this unique and fun program. No knitting or crocheting knowledge or experience required, lessons are given free of charge. Just bring your crocheting or knitting needles with you, yarn is supplied. All knitted items such as blankets, hats, scarves and gloves are donated to families and individuals in need. This program meets every Wed. from 7 to 8:30PM at the Sparta Presbyterian Church 32 Main St. Sparta NJ in the 2nd floor conference room. Email donna@passitalong.org to register.