The Provident Bank Foundation Awards $10,000 to Collier Youth Services

Collier Youth Services, a non-profit organization that empowers at-risk youth to grow toward their potential in an environment of belonging, dignity, and hope, is proud to announce that The Provident Bank Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Collier to support the Sanctuary Model implemented in Collier House and Collier Group Home.

Collier Youth Services operates two residential programs: Collier Group Home in Red Bank and Collier House in Keyport. Collier Group Home prepares teenage girls to successfully return to their families or to live independently. Collier House transitions young women from dependent living or homelessness to healthy, self-sufficient lives.

For the past 5 years, Collier House and Collier Group Home have both implemented and embraced the Sanctuary Model into their daily programming—a type of trauma informed care designed by the Sanctuary Institute, a division of ANDRUS. “Sanctuary has given us the tools needed to demonstrate mindfulness of emotions and behavior which allows us to successfully address the needs of our residents. The girls gain knowledge about their past trauma and the effect it has on their patterns of behavior. This information is key in their choice to either remain in a repeated traumatic experience or change their future. It is awareness that will help them throughout their lives,” states Maureen Kale, Director of Residential Program.

According to Russell Gartz, Director of External Relations at Collier Youth Services, “Collier is thrilled that The Provident Bank Foundation has granted $10,000 to help the young women who enter our residential programs manage the trauma they bring with them when they come to Collier. With partners like The Provident Bank Foundation, we can ensure that the quality of care our residents receive will be significant and positive. It also sends a powerful message to these young women that their community is behind them and rooting for them to succeed.”

“The Sanctuary Model at Collier House and Collier Group Home provides the education, support and resources the young women need for an enriched and positive future,” said Jane Kurek, executive director of The Provident Bank Foundation. “The Provident Bank Foundation is proud to be able to provide the support to Collier Youth Services and the individual care and resources offered to the young women.”

For nearly 90 years, Collier Youth Services has focused on improving the lives of underserved youth with academic, developmental, and emotional challenges. Collier operates an array of programs, including Collier High School, Collier Middle School, Extended School Year programs, Collier Group Home, and Collier House, in addition to Kateri Day Camp. Collier’s mission is built on an unwavering belief in the worth and potential of all individuals and their capacity for change. For more details, please visit www.collieryouthservices.org or call (732) 946-4771.

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 with the intent of supporting not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c )(3) organizations that provide valuable services to the communities served by Provident Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $21million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.

Photo Caption: (Left to right) Russell Gartz, Director of External Relations at Collier Youth Services, and Sr. Debbie Drago, Executive Director of Collier Youth Services being presented with a $10,000 check from Jane Kurek, Executive Director of The Provident Bank Foundation; and Bill Ruckert, Senior Vice President of Provident Bank.