‘Safe Night’ Registration Deadline is April 2

 

SOMERVILLE – Somerset County youth in grades 7 to 12 are invited to enjoy a “Safe Night” party on Saturday, April 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Somerville High School gym, located at 222 Davenport St.  The theme is “Mardi Gras,” and participants are invited to wear beads, Mardi Gras masks and/or purple and green colors.

Admission is $5, which includes refreshments and door prizes.  Seating is limited to the first 200 registrants.  Registration and payment are due by Tuesday, April 2.

“Safe Night” parties offer youth an evening planned by their peers and adults at which there are no weapons, alcohol, drugs or arguments and where they can party, play and learn.

“The ‘Safe Night’ program is not just a one-night experience, because participants learn leadership, team building and character-building skills that will last them a lifetime,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Patrick Scaglione, human services liaison. 

“This is the 14th year Somerset County is hosting a ‘Safe Night’ program.  The program brings youth from around the county together in a fun-filled, safe environment,” he said. “It also provides an opportunity to share experiences and make new friends.”

The evening will begin with an introduction by Somerset County Youth Council members Preethi Govindarajan and Joe Millman and a welcome by Freeholder Mark Caliguire.  Following will be warm ups of short fun activities, in which students will meet and learn about others; childhood games; round-robin activities, in which students will move from one activity to the next; Fatal Vision simulator glasses; Intoxiclock; Distract-A-Match; basketball games; a DJ; and more games.

The “Safe Night” program is presented by the Somerset County Board of Freeholders, Somerset County Human Services Department; Somerset County Youth Council, Somerville High School Key Club, Somerset County 4-H Senior Council, Somerset Safe Communities Coalition and EmPoWER Somerset.

The “Safe Night” program was begun by former police officer Olusegun “Olu” Sijuwade through the City of Milwaukee Health Department in 1994.  It is recognized by the National Crime Prevention Council as a model violence-prevention program.

            To register or for information about the “Safe Night” program, contact Sarah Murchison of the Somerset County Department of Human Services at (908) 704-6307 or murchis@co.somerset.nj.us.  A brochure and registration form are available at www.co.somerset.nj.us/spotlight.html.