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June 28, 2005
ASBURY PARTNERS DONATES FUNDS TO S.T.E.P.S. TO SUPPORT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN ASBURY PARK
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ASBURY PARK, N.J., June 28, 2005 - Asbury Partners LLC, developers of the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury redevelopment project in Asbury Park, donated $500 to S.T.E.P.S. (Solution To End Poverty Soon), to help the young people of Asbury Park find successful employment.
The funding was presented to Mike McNeil, co-chair of S.T.E.P.S., by Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners. The ceremony took place at a gathering held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, which received a similar donation from Asbury Partners just a few months ago.
S.T.E.P.S. is a New Jersey-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in need of opportunities. Using the Boys & Girls Clubs as a backdrop for the presentation gave McNeil the opportunity to demonstrate just how important such outreach efforts can be. Speaking informally to a group of youngsters at the club, McNeil asked them to describe their work ambitions and expectations.
"Many of these youngsters don't know what kind of work they want to do, or how to go about getting a job and finding a career," McNeil noted. "The donation from Asbury Partners will help us to help these kids explore their interests and options. The money will be used to help transport them to job interviews and work sites; to buy literature and books on achieving career goals; and to offer career training."
When asked what he wanted to be, one youngster, Aaron Gartner, admitted that he was not sure, and therefore grateful to have someone provide guidance. "It's so nice to have people here asking us questions and showing that they're interested in helping us to help ourselves," he said.
McNeil, a manufacturing engineer with more than 25 years of experience in youth employment facilitation, is past president of Union Local 367 and served as a member of the Governor's Committee on Customized Worker Training. During the course of his career, he has developed training for youth in all aspects of the building trades including fiber optics, welding, painting, drafting, carpentry and plating.
Asbury Partners Continues Community Outreach Initiatives
This most recent contribution to S.T.E.P.S. is part of Asbury Partners ongoing commitment to the community of Asbury Park. Asbury Partners' community outreach liaison, Dr. Guy McCombs, has worked with S.T.E.P.S. for two years on projects related to employment and other community initiatives.
"Our relationship with S.T.E.P.S. began when I was seeking to make contact with an organization that had an in-depth working relationship with local communities," said Dr. McCombs. "Mike's track-record in recruiting, training and finding employment for minority youth and his visibility in that field have been invaluable. He has been one of the key reasons why Asbury Partners has been successful in reaching out to those most in need of our assistance and that interested parties within the minority community have the opportunity to exchange ideas and views with us."
Currently, more than 35 percent of Oceanfront Asbury's total workforce consists of area residents or Asbury Park businesses, and more than 50 people have been hired for full- or part-time roles in the redevelopment, the vast majority of whom reside in Asbury Park or the immediate area. More than half of those hired represent minorities.
Funds donated by Asbury Partners to the City of Asbury Park has also been instrumental in helping the City to launch a Workforce Development initiative as well as establish an Employment Resource Center. The center is designed for residents of Asbury Park to obtain employment assistance and enable employers in the City to post job opportunities.
"Employment has always been a key issue for Asbury Partners, and youth employment is a primary focus," said Dr. McCombs. "Mike and his organization will continue, along with other experts in the field, to provide advisement to Asbury Partners on these important issues."
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