[AsburyPark] Reaching out for support

2012-03-28 Thread Ramona
On Saturday March 31, 2012 Chico's House Of Jazz will be hosting a fundraiser 
for FBIG (Faith Based Initiative Group) from 7pm until. We are asking for a 
donation of $30 per person or a table reservation for $100. All donations go 
towards supporting the at-risk youth and Asbury Park residents programs we have 
been doing for the last 6 years. If you want to know more about what we do 
please visit our webpage at www.fbihdg.com. 

We are also hosting a benefit play at the Paramount Theater on Saturday April 
14th. With 2 performances at 2pm and 7pm for $25.00 per ticket. If interested 
in dinner and a show we have arranged a buffet dinner at At the Table on Bond 
street for an additional $20. Tickets can also be purchased at DL Check 
Cashing on 5th, at our agency on 527 Bangs Ave. 2nd floor or on our website. 

Our doors are always open and our phone number is 732-455-5415 for any 
questions you may have.  







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[AsburyPark] Re: Check out Asbury school board president ordered out | The Asbury Park Press |

2011-08-26 Thread Ramona
Hello Jennifer, Nice to meet you! :0)

You're welcome for the information. LOL on the choice. I am glad you checked 
out the site and not many parents in Asbury Park paid attention to the school 
options they had. Most chose the charter school. Spots are open. I also had my 
kids at Care on the Square and Alphabets! ... Kindergarten was wonderful at 
Thurgood Marshall but that was 9 years ago.  Things have changed and I cannot 
say for better or for worse. 


--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, fancypaaantz fancypaaantz@... wrote:

 And the fancypaaantz sounds so funny! I signed up for a yahoo ID a million 
 years ago to have an email I could use if I didn't want to use my real email 
 (spam ish sites) and I used to joke with my boss from Spring Lake that he was 
 a Mr. Fancy Pants so it was during that time I just picked it as a silly 
 name. I use it here bc this is a Yahoo group but I am not really anonymous. 
 My name is Jennifer.
 
 --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, fancypaaantz fancypaaantz@ wrote:
 
  Thank you, good to know. It is probably not so easy to get a spot? I have a 
  little time yet here. I am going to check out the Neptune Montessori school 
  in September to start her off a couple of days/week. I have a friend with 2 
  kids in Care on the Square and she has been happy. My neighbor sent her 
  child to preschool and kindergarten here in Asbury and was happy.
  
  Everyone stay safe in the hurricane!
  
  --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, Claire Davids claire.davids@ wrote:
  
   duh - i thought by choice school you meant it's a good choice.. i 
   just
   checked their website, now i know what it means what a good option!
   
   On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 6:53 PM, Claire Davids
   claire.davids@wrote:
   
That's good to know - thank you!
   
   
On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 5:08 PM, Ramona ramonicoshay@ wrote:
   
**
   
   
Let me be careful here... I am responding to fancypaaantz and Claire 
and
any mom with young children.
   
Deal School is less than 5 miles away and they are a choice school. 
They
also have a pre-school. Small classes, strong PTA. Teacher turn around 
is
non existent. You can obtain additional information by going to
www.dealschool.org.
   
Ramona
   
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, fancypaaantz fancypaaantz@
wrote:

 Where does he go now? I am checking out the Montessori in Neptune on 
 66.
My daughter is 2. If we still live here in a few years, not sure what 
to do
then. You can email directly also- nice to meet another mom on here 
with a
young child!

 The email I check is jennifergaeta@
   

 I do not use the yahoo email

 --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, Claire Davids claire.davids@
wrote:
 
  I know i'm in a dream world, but i'd really like to think that 
  there's
a
  chance by the time my 5 year old is Highschool age he could go to 
  AP
  HS
 
 
  *Satisfied Customers on Receipt - Worldwide*
  Claire Davids
  Managing Partner
  i-Parcel LLC
  Tel: +12015491502
  Mobile: +16464316239
  www.i-parcel.com
 
 
  On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 10:43 AM, dfsavgny dfsavgny@ wrote:
 
   **
  
  
  
  
   --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, asburycouple asburycouple@
   wrote:
   
The best news the Asbury Park school system has had in a long
time. Maybe
   the focus can finally get back to improving the education of the
kids rather
   than his own personal agenda and vendettas.
   
   
  
   +1
  
  
  
 
 
  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 

   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  
 







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[AsburyPark] Re: Check out Asbury school board president ordered out | The Asbury Park Press |

2011-08-25 Thread Ramona
Let me be careful here... I am responding to fancypaaantz and Claire and any 
mom with young children. 

Deal School is less than 5 miles away and they are a choice school. They also 
have a pre-school. Small classes, strong PTA. Teacher turn around is non 
existent. You can obtain additional information by going to www.dealschool.org. 

Ramona 

--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, fancypaaantz fancypaaantz@... wrote:

 Where does he go now? I am checking out the Montessori in Neptune on 66. My 
 daughter is 2. If we still live here in a few years, not sure what to do 
 then. You can email directly also- nice to meet another mom on here with a 
 young child!
 
 The email I check is jennifergaeta@...
 
 I do not use the yahoo email
 
 --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, Claire Davids claire.davids@ wrote:
 
  I know i'm in a dream world, but i'd really like to think that there's a
  chance by the time my 5 year old is Highschool age he could go to AP
  HS
  
  
  *Satisfied Customers on Receipt - Worldwide*
  Claire Davids
  Managing Partner
  i-Parcel LLC
  Tel:  +12015491502
  Mobile: +16464316239
  www.i-parcel.com
  
  
  On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 10:43 AM, dfsavgny dfsavgny@ wrote:
  
   **
  
  
  
  
   --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, asburycouple asburycouple@
   wrote:
   
The best news the Asbury Park school system has had in a long time. 
Maybe
   the focus can finally get back to improving the education of the kids 
   rather
   than his own personal agenda and vendettas.
   
   
  
   +1
  

  
  
  
  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 







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[AsburyPark] Re: Upperclass boardwalk and downtown?

2011-08-19 Thread Ramona
Wow! ... Did I post it in the wrong spot?  No it was attributed to you. I was 
answering the group itself ... Questions about the shooting, about Springwood 
Ave, and about the job program. 

It has been publicized.. in the coaster .. in the press .. and even in the 
Asbury Blog! We don't boast for a purpose but we are well known where it counts 
... with those that need help. 

I didn't think I was ranting I was answering all the assumptions. 

As far as following the group .. why not? I appreciate all the ideas and 
opinions everyone has but now everyone seems ANGRY all of a sudden, all of the 
comments about white vs. black etc 

I finally decide to take the chance and join in ... and I'm getting blasted!
 
Sorry I don't remember or recognize the name and I have been involved since 
2006. If you still want to be a part ... invitation is still open. 

Let me help you out. 

I am black, if you need me to get technical Black and Indian. 
I have lived and worked in town since 2005.
I use to live in town in my 20's .. rented from Walter Wester if you need a 
reference. 
I am raising 2 children here. 
Can't really answer for my family and their thoughts about Asbury .. but my 
father, aunt, uncle all live in town too. Long Branch Thornton's are my 
relatives too but I am not that close with them.

As for my mindset that is your personal opinion and your entitled to it. I 
won't let it stop me from doing my part in moving Asbury Forward. 

Thank you for the encouragement and yes I will put my full name again.

Ramona Thornton


--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, 2fast4u sharon_b283@... wrote:

 
 #1, I didn't post this part, yet it appears attributed to me!
 
   Well sharon your points, comments and life experiences (and the
 success of raising your family) are well taken.
  
   Once again, it's that be ready...cause trouble is waiting..
  
   That's the scary part - for lack of better words.
  
   So why don't the community leaders - all these organizations that
 ARE there to help, take action. Talk to the kids and parents.
  
   What are the REAL issues?
  
   - Is it housing
   - quality of life
   - lack of work - what kind of work would one accept
   ...
  
   Employment:
   - What kind of programs are in place within the city with city and
 surrounding employers.
  
  
   For example: Are there any intern programs with Jersey Shore Medical
 - between the HS and JS?? If not, why not? Seems like a natural.
  
   - does the city have any interns? How about the chamber of
 commerce?
   How about Madison Marquette. I call them interns, but if the
 business can't afford to pay for it, I'd say take it from the school $
 or other grant money. The kids can work 25 hours per week, $9 per hour.
 That's 225 per week gross. 10 weeks - each kid gets $2250. Take 200
 kids. Pennies for such a program. Can you get kids to work $9.00? IS it
 worth more to keep them off the street - then go for it. $12 hour?
  
   - how about kids that graduated from AP High? Where did they go,
 what are they doing now? Anyone know? Does anyone track their careers?
 Can they come back and talk to other kids
  
   What kinds of employment programs exist in the school system with a
 $90 million budget. (as for employment programs, I meant for the kids -
 not admin)
  
   There is only so much that can be done. You need intelligent people
 running these programs and people that want to participate. Without, you
 have people making comments like we gonna burn the place down or be
 ready.
  
   That is what has to be addressed by those who interact with the
 local community. And those leaders should be inviting in african
 american owned businesses. And those leaders should ensure that if
 something is built or renovated on the west side, that bricks don't get
 thrown through the windows or lights shattered.
  
   Would it make difference if you just gave everyone, and I mean
 everyone $1,000,000? Every resident, any color.
  
   What do you think?
  
   The one that pisses it away after two weeks would be pissed at the
 guy who saved it, right?
 
 Furthurmore, who are you addressing?  Why isn't what you're doing 
 publicized?
 You say you're following the group.  Why?  You reply to ME, then go on a rant?
 I at least identify myself as a Woman of color.  Who are YOU?  Yes, I remember
 Asbury Works and all I could remember was Tamara, forget her last name and
 I assumed the program went belly up like everything around here.  I was 
 involved
 in the initial start up of AW but I've had health issues, dropped out of 
 posting for almost
 a year, but you at least identified yourself, which some posters DON'T do and 
 the only
 time they post something is when they've been thrown off a board, lose

[AsburyPark] Re: Upperclass boardwalk and downtown?

2011-08-18 Thread Ramona
Hello Everyone,

My name is Ramona Thornton and I am the program manager for the jobs
program, its leadership has changed many hands, but the program
manager is still trying to make a difference.  I have been watching
this board for quite some time now. I think I can shed some light on a
couple of issues that have been coming up recently.
First of all I don't see any racist people on this group I only see
frustrated intelligent individuals that are having problems wrapping
their minds around so many problems in a 1 mile town.

Someone wise said once .. don't bring the problem to the table without
bringing the start of the solution! (My Grandmother at her dinner
table!) So here goes

The Jobs program in Asbury WAS alive and well through an initiative
called the Construction Connection. Supported by the City and the
Resource Center in Asbury Park.

The city has sponsored 28 people through this connection. Interfaith
Neighbors has sponsored 2 that are currently working on the Springwood
Center and have been since the beginning.

I am going to tell a story now about 2 them  Approximately a year
ago there was a meeting at city hall for anyone who was interested in a
weatherization/construction training program sponsored by the DCA. We
went into Neptune and Asbury Park to inform the residents of this
opportunity ... pack filled rooms .. but they needed to have a certain
grade level (it was not 12th grade either), get a hold of their HS
Diploma, demonstrate by action that they were serious about this
opportunity and have an obtainable license (If they had a suspended
license because of fines and if the number was low enough that they
could obtain a valid license within 1 or 2 paychecks they were not
excluded).

We identified ONE HUNDRED and EIGHTEEN eligible residents ... only HALF
came to be  interviewed by the training team ... they were drug tested
... only ONE came up dirty.

We had the training facility MOVED from Freehold to LONG BRANCH because
of transportation issues ... TWENTY showed up the first day of
class. TWELVE showed up the second day of class ... and that 12
graduated.

118  to 12 ... WOW ...

Among them were the 2 individuals that are working on the Springwood
Avenue project .
We monitor our recommendations to businesses on a weekly basis ... NO
problems were reported ... they weren't late ... they weren't
disrespectful ... they went on to get several certificates .. so they
could continue to work on the project.

The young men have families ... brand new babies ...not baby mama's but
families.
One works out regularly at the PAL on his promising boxing career.

The other  WAS successfully completing the steps to become a city
fireman, passed the written test,  passed the physical, he was also the
individual that was shot in the head last week! He was coming home from
work .. he was ACROSS the STREET when the ruckus started ... he was hit
by a stray bullet! He is ok came out of the hospital yesterday, but has
a lot of physical therapy to do so he can continue on his path to
becoming a fireman. He came by the office yesterday, to tell me thank
you and he understood if his job couldn't be held ... I assured him his
job is waiting for him ... be strong ... get better .. and we will work
it out.

I say this because the Resource Center was Asbury Works (which didn't
turn out so good) ... turned over to the Housing Authority (which didn't
turn out so good) ... and now the program manager is starting up again
... because people like Keshawn and Darryl and the 28 others in the
Construction Connection ... and the 45 graduates from the Best Foot
Forward Program (paid work experience from the DOL with 37 documented
positive exits! (positive exit means one of the following happened...
increase in education level and/or getting a GED, unsubsidized
employment, attendance in a secondary school ) deserve someone who will
stop saying ... somebody ought to do something ... to some people who
will show them HOW ... Our case management team is small .. we do what
we can ... we ignore those who call up and say ... have you got a job
for me yet? ... and work with the ones who actually show up more than
once every three months and put the work in. Funding is a big issue ..
grants are practically non existent for small non-profits (but readily
available to the big national ones) and they will get even slimmer by
next year.

We have reached out to other businesses, and  we understand the
feedback of their fears and concerns ... so we initiated monitors not
mentors ... monitors and if you have a problem with someone that was
recommended to you .. you have options ... we don't guarantee we
warranty our recommendations. If you choose the option to fire them
... we document it ... if we can't remedy the problem with the
participant .. they aren't recommended again.

I have been involved with the problem since 2006 and I have learned
that it is generational! When asked what their future plans are ... they
have

[AsburyPark] Re: Upperclass boardwalk and downtown?

2011-08-18 Thread Ramona
Thank you for your response. I have been in the trenches for a minute and know 
from experience the results. 

We have tried to initiate a program with Meridian Health ... we worked with 
Wendy and Wayne.Problem was the process background check took forever, 
scheduling for shots and exams was also lengthy. We had 5 participants by the 
time they were cleared for work we only had 2 left ... one obtained their 
physical therapy license and is working as a therapist. The other was a senior 
in high school, gave up an opportunity to play in Italy for the summer for the 
experience to work with the morgue but due to program funding we were not able 
to link her with further education. 

As you know Great Adventure is a major employer in the area ... we have asked 
for several summers now that they initiate a shuttle from our area to help the 
residents get summer employment. They said no ... apparently they tried it 
before my time in town (I've been back since 2006) an incident occurred ... and 
well you know the results ... the only way area residents can get to GA is to 
take the bus from the Transportation Center to Freehold to catch the GA 
Shuttle... this would make the commute unreasonable ... few have tried only to 
find out that their scheduled work hours in the park were not favorable to the 
pickup times and also increased their commute time.

We have worked with the Fire Department the fire chief asked us to attend an 
outreach to the residents for training with the fire department ... same story 
.. packed room .. we offered educational training to help them pass ... 3 
applied ... 1 - Keshawn is the only one I know of who pursued this interest. 

We have worked with the banks ... they require a certain amount of training 
at their training facility ... most of facilities are in Lakewood / up north or 
some other not easily accessible spot unless you have a car.

We have worked with RESTORE for a training program to refinish and restore 
furniture .. it was in collaboration with the High School and as you can 
imagine .. that didn't turn out too well. 

Brookdale - moved out of Asbury and went to Neptune .. offered free GED classes 
.. to make a long story short we called them to let THEM KNOW that they were 
suppose to setting up classes ... results ... moved the program to Long Branch. 

United Way - brings a lot to the table ... but it's not what is needed at first 
... and they are difficult to open a dialogue with. 

It has taken the team a lot of years and a lot of aspirin to gain the respect 
of these individuals where we can go up them and point blank tell them to pull 
their pants up ... fix your hair  and yes you will take ALL the tests and 
participate in the all the required sessions (1. TABE which is the Adult Basic 
Education Test / 2. Kiersey Temperament Test / 3. Career Assessment Test / 4. 
Not really a test but we ask them to give us a written statement of where they 
would like to be, or what they want to achieve) BEFORE we even begin to help 
you ...we don't refuse anyone .. but we aren't afraid to say NO .. you 
approached the situation wrong (we tell them what they did wrong and why) ... 
go home .. and try again tomorrow. 

The team operates with this thought in mind ... We have ONE strategy to move 
anyone, in any situation, through the stages of: CONFUSION (because most of the 
time they just don't know HOW to get out of something) to ORDER (THINK about 
approaching your problem differently because your solutions didn't work too 
good the first time!) to EXCELLENCE (when they reach this stage the disbelief 
in astounding!)


We believe you cannot send the majority of participants in our database to any 
other program, initiative, training etc .. until they have gone though our 
basic program which might take them 6 months (the pace is up to them) because 
they don't have the mental skill-set to withstand what obstacles can come their 
way! They drop out the program within 2 months time! 

Again, Thank you for listening and we are working on a benefit for Keashawn.


--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, oakdorf oakdorf@... wrote:

 Ok. So I'm back. Nice to see someone that has been watching this board step 
 up tell us something meaningful.
 
 One of the major problem is, as I see it, you have to remove some of the 
 barriers -at least  that of education level to at least get started.
 
 The transportation issue is another. Shouldn't exist either. Either vouchers 
 for NJ coast, bus or the program has to provide some kind of shuttle service.
 
 That's why I see Meriidan Health (Jersey Shore) or Robert Wood (Monmouth 
 Medical ) as tow of the areas largest employers that must be major supporters 
 and participants in programs. You have quite a few other groups in AP - 
 chamber of commerce , theatre group, the fire dept, several banks VNA. 
 
 Same with the city. I can bet you half of those without educational level 
 just might some kind of computer skill - they 

[AsburyPark] Re: one more...

2011-08-18 Thread Ramona
Background .. I have 2 daughters and have tried to be an active parent in the 
school system ... I served on the PTO, Parent Advisory Council etc .. I brought 
it to the board's attention that the Gifted and Talented program wasn't up to 
speed ... could go on ... but long story short I lost the will to fight, took 
my children out of the school system.

I may be dating myself but do you remember when you asked your mom, dad, uncle 
aunt to come to school for career day? When was the last time you read about 
that happening in Asbury Park in the Coaster?

Oh they might ask ... but it has no followup 

--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, oakdorf oakdorf@... wrote:

 Do they ask the kids starting in first grade what do you want to be when you 
 grow up..?.







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