The final three (3) O.C.E.A.N., Inc. ‘Shop with a Cop’ events were held on Saturday in Ocean and Cape May Counties. In total, the partnership between Ocean Inc. and many agencies and organizations served 640 youth from disadvantaged families in Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May Counties.
Shop with a Cop is not just about taking the youth shopping, it was fun filled days for a number of kids during the holidays while creating a bond with local police officers. At all events, each child was allotted $150 to shop for a special gift (s) for the holidays. Throughout the shopping spree at the Brick, Little Egg Harbor and Rio Grande Walmarts, police officers were paired with each child, pre-scanned toys and calculated their assigned child’s order to ensure they are within $150 before proceeding to the checkout. It was a very well-coordinated system in order to meet time constraints.
“This is an event that Ocean Inc. was able to put together that involves law enforcement at the highest level” said Channell Wilkins, Ocean Inc. President/CEO. “The Shop with a Cop Program is funded by Ocean Inc. through the NJDCA Community Services Block Grant.” The Program promotes social justice and positive police relationships for families as they gain the skills, knowledge and enhance their ability to engage within the community.
This program is provided by Ocean Inc through a Non-Discretionary Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) grant funded by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Ocean Inc. was able to serve more youth this year through an additional grant prepared by the New Jersey Community Action Partnership and funded through a Discretionary CSBG grant by NJDCA.
To view all photos of Saturday’s event, click ‘Regional News’ on the agency website at www.oceaninc.org.
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