PLAINFIELD, NJ - Media Representatives are invited to cover the grand opening of “Operation About Face”, a new program that will serve youngsters in Plainfield and let them earn money while participating in a life skills building program.

The ribbon cutting and kickoff ceremony will take place at 3:30 on Monday, October 30, 2000, at the National Guard Armory, 1201 East 7th Street in Plainfield.  Scheduled to participate are representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Gerald Green, Freeholder Lewis Mingo Jr., State Department of Labor Commissioner Mark B. Boyd, County Manager Michael J. Lapolla, Rear Admiral Timothy D. Beard III, and Prosecutor Thomas V. Manahan.

Operation About Face, funded through the State of New Jersey Division of Human Services under the State Department of Labor is a cooperative effort of the Union County Prosecutor’s Save A Life Today (S.A.L.T.) Project and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The program, located at the National Guard Armory in Plainfield, is presented by the Florida-based PAXEN Group, a Youth/Adult Employment and Life Skills Training organization.

About Face is an innovative and exciting youth program that has served more than 2,000 participants nationwide since April 1997.  The program serves participants who are 14 to 17 years of age.  Built around activity-oriented training topics that directly relate to the skills required for real-world success, the program places heavy emphasis on functional life skills, skills for educational success and mentor participation.  The About Face Program offers three different sessions – Summer, Fall and Spring.  Both the Fall and Spring sessions offer two cycles so that participants can still participate in other after-school activities such as athletics, band and clubs.  Participants are grouped into classes of 20.  Participants can earn incentive payments for each session that they are in attendance.

In order to successfully complete the About Face Program, the participants must meet the following goals.  First, students must attend 70% of the program and complete 70% of the training modules covered in the session to a satisfactory degree.  Second, they must show an increase in academic performance on the High School Competency Test (HSCT) Road Map.  Participants who complete the program are awarded a Certificate of Completion and participate in a graduation ceremony in which a variety of awards are presented.

The current program consists of two (2) eight (8) week cycles.  Each cycle has two (2) classes.  One class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, while the second class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Each class will meet at total of 16 times.  Participants can earn $10.00 for each class session they attend, up to a maximum of $160.00.  The curriculum offered includes: Critical Thinking, Business Perspectives, Life Skills, HSCT Road Map, Self Tutor, Reclaim, Interpersonal Relationships & Groups, Computer Literacy, Working Basics-PEWM Skills, Working Basics-Essential Skills, Breath Easy!, Homework Assistance, and Mentoring.

A site manager, located in Plainfield is responsible for managing the program operations, instructors, recruitment and selection of participants, coordination with local businesses and community agencies, securing mentors, and ensuring that the program meets its goals and objectives.

Meals for the students and trainers are being provided by:

 Sodexho Marriott Services in cooperation with the Plainfield Board of Education
 Kentucky Fried Chicken , A Fennell, Inc.
 Burger King / NGI Foods
 Pizza Hut of 1230 South Avenue, Plainfield