Washington - Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced $500,000 in federal funding has been made available to support a gang prevention program at the Community YMCA in Middletown, New Jersey.

"The Middletown YMCA is doing important work to help local youth find a positive path for the future, and its efforts deserve our support," Lautenberg said. "Gang prevention programs like this one help to build safer communities, reduce drop-out rates and strengthen families."

"With today's economic and social challenges, too many young people are turning to gangs as a way out. Through this investment, we can keep communities safe and assist local law enforcement in combating gang violence by using prevention programs that keep youth off the streets," said Menendez.

The funding was secured in the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, which Sen. Lautenberg helped craft as a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds this program. The money is being released by the U.S. Department of Justice to help the Community YMCA administer its Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The program provides Monmouth County youth and their families with a highly structured, six-month approach to address substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors that may lead to gang involvement.

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