July 19th 2023.
Pastor John H. McReynolds' Jersey City Teen Magazine Literacy Program has been life-changing for over 70,000 youth in New Jersey. CBS News reported that Jersey City Health and Human Services partnered with Teen Magazine to give high school seniors the chance to learn more about themselves and their potential through an eight-week program.
The mastermind behind the project is Tamika McReynolds, the wife of Pastor McReynolds. Tamika explained that the Teen Magazine is designed to "motivate, encourage, and let them know that you have a place that you can have a safe haven to be able to come and rock out with us." She continued, "Our kids think they can't win, and when they don't know they can win, we give them the access to be able to know that you can have a shot at the title, whether it's internships, whether it's job opportunities or whether it's a financial blessing."
The Teen Magazine covers sensitive topics such as suicide and bullying through personal accounts written by high school seniors. To lead the program, a team was formed including Abraham Lincoln High School Vice Principal Natasha Walker and Rasheen Peppers, a retired Newark Police captain. Walker believes that the program "helps the students become more of who they want to be leading into adulthood. They get to find out what they like, what they don't like, what they're good at." Peppers added, "This program does provide children to open up about situations that are going on in their lives."
Tamika and HOT 97's DJ Wallah, a program mentor, recently interviewed with CBS News to talk about the three grand prize winners of the program's annual writing contest. The students were asked to write about who they were at the onset of the pandemic and who they are now. Janasia Wood from Snyder High School was the first-place winner and was awarded $5,000. Marissa Wilcher and Melanie Barrett took second and third place respectively.
The Jersey City Teen Magazine Literacy Program is making a huge impact on the lives of many young people in New Jersey. These students are now able to find out who they are and realize their potential with the support of this incredible program.
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