BRIDGETON, NJ – A new statewide initiative is aiming to break the cycle of incarceration by investing in the futures of young people with justice-impacted family backgrounds. The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) announced a partnership this week with national nonprofit Give Something Back to provide long-term academic coaching and support services to children of incarcerated parents.
Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, the NJDOC and Give Something Back—also known as Give Back—will begin delivering targeted academic support to youth with high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), with a focus on children whose mothers are incarcerated at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility.
The program will offer personalized academic coaching starting in middle school and continuing through college and into early career development. Each student receives one-on-one mentorship, college and career guidance, and access to basic resources like food, transportation, and trauma-informed mental health support.
“Education is a powerful, transformative tool,” said NJDOC Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn. “Partnering with Give Back allows us to stand beside these students with the resources and support they need to not just imagine a better future, but to achieve it.”
Give Back CEO Melissa Helmbrecht noted the partnership fulfills a long-held vision to support students facing some of the steepest barriers to educational success. The nonprofit has invested over $100 million nationwide in programs designed to help students prepare for, access, and complete college. The organization reports that over 80 percent of its participants have completed or are actively pursuing post-secondary degrees.
Coaches in the program build relationships with students over several years, helping them create and follow academic and career plans, navigate financial aid, and stay on track through consistent mentoring and guidance. By maintaining long-term engagement, Give Back aims to ensure that each student’s path to stability and employment is both realistic and supported.
Since its founding in 2018, Give Back has collected over 1.2 million data points through student interactions, academic records, and feedback surveys. This data-driven model helps the organization monitor student progress, respond to challenges in real time, and make improvements across its services.
The NJDOC-Give Back partnership aligns with the state’s broader goal of reducing recidivism through early intervention and long-term support. Together, the agencies aim to expand access to higher education and help children of incarcerated individuals achieve lasting economic stability.
Key Points
- NJDOC partners with nonprofit Give Something Back to support children of incarcerated parents
- Program provides long-term academic coaching, college readiness, and mentoring from middle school through early adulthood
- Over 80% of participating students nationwide have earned or are pursuing college degrees
A new statewide effort aims to transform lives by giving justice-impacted youth the support they need to succeed beyond the system.
