Millville Woman’s Club Hosts Children’s Alliance, Girls Career Institute Delegates
From left: Donna Pio, MWC Education Committee, Olivia Headley, Nadiah Jackson, Josephine Parlo, and Barbara Westog, MWC Education Committee.
There was a full agenda for the Millville Woman’s Club (MWC) October meeting. Joan Fauver, 1st vice president, introduced Debbie Riveros, executive director of New Jersey Children’s Alliance (NJCA). Riveros explained that NJCA “promotes hope, healing, and justice for child abuse victims by supporting Child Advocacy Centers throughout the state with training, resources, advocacy and leadership.”
NJCA networks with local professionals and organizations such as police departments, prosecutors, medical personnel, New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency and others, establishing a multidisciplinary network to respond to child abuse. NJCA provides training for staff at Child Advocacy Centers throughout the State which includes, but is not limited to, forensic training, sexual behaviors in children, red flags of problematic adult behaviors with children, red flags regarding online safety, and signs of possible online sexual exploitation or trafficking. NJCA provides Know and Tell Program to educate adults in prevention, recognition and reporting child abuse. NJCA was established in 2010 and receives funding from federal and state sources. Riveros noted that this program is a model for the nation. This program is an ongoing State Project with the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Club. Club members have been supportive of the local Child Advocacy Center in Bridgeton and appreciated gaining more information about this program.
Donna Pio, MWC education committee, introduced Millville High School seniors, Olivia Headley, Josephine Parlo, and Nadiah Jackson, all three of whom were MWC’s delegates at the Girls Career Institute (GCI) in June. This program gave the girls a week’s “mini college and career exploration experience” at Douglas Residential College at Rutgers—living in a dorm, eating in the cafeteria, attending lectures by accomplished female professionals, participating in group projects and networking with other girls from throughout New Jersey. All three were quite animated as they related very positive responses to their GCI experiences and expressed their gratitude at this opportunity.
Olivia is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society, MHS Marching Band, All South Jersey Band and Olympic Conference Honors Band. She has also played Varsity golf for four years, Captain for two years and received All Conference Golf Award. She plans to attend college for four years, majoring in Music Education, and then audition for the U.S. Army Band.
Josephine is a member of the National Honor Society, has been class president and class treasurer and has received Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award medals for voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration/expedition experience. She was recognized by U.S. Congress for perseverance and service to the community. She is a recipient of the Russell F. Siller Tunnel to Towers Scholarship for her positive impact on the community. Josephine is in the MHS marching band, has been on the golf team and manager of basketball.
Nadiah is an accomplished student in AP microeconomics, AP psychology, Honors classes and Advanced coursework. She is in the Leaders Club, on the Student Council, and earned scholarship-based admission to take college-level coursework through Rowan University. Nadiah is a varsity cheerleader and track team member. She is also a Millville Holly City volunteer. Nadiah is certified in CPR and Child Development.
Club members were impressed by the girls’ activities, wishing them well as they pursue their schooling and careers.
