Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-July 29, 2009 Issue

Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • July 29, 2009 Most teens’ eighteenth birthday is an exciting milestone. They will be graduating from high school, enjoying summer trips, and counting the days until they leave for college. But for adolescents in foster care, this time in their lives is often filled with anxiety. Once they reach their eighteenth birthday, they face the prospect of “aging out” of foster care and moving on to independent living with little or no family help and few support services available. Children’s Aid and Family Services has launched a fundraising drive on behalf of its Thomas R.S. Burgin Parents Fund aimed at supporting college-bound teens who have Fundraising drive aids teens aging out of foster care aged out of foster care. The Redlich Horwitz Foundation, a New York and New Jersey-based non-profit organization, will match the first $20,000 raised by the agency. Although teens in foster care in the State of New Jersey are eligible for subsidized tuition, room and board, they have no other means of financial assistance to fund clothing, toiletries or other living expenses, including rent during vacation time. The Thomas R.S. Burgin Parents Fund also provides financial assistance to former foster care teenagers; the awards are tailored to meet the individual needs of the applicants. Examples include assistance with car repairs, a loan to cover the deposit for an apartment rental or to purchase a suit for a job interview. “The transition to college and adulthood is difficult for most adolescents, even those who have the emotional and financial support of their parents,” said Bob Jones, Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer Ready-To-Use Pump ‘N Go ™ Sprayer  APPLY WHEN WEEDS ARE ACTIVE & GROWING  USE ON PATIOS, WALKWAYS, DRIVEWAYS, AROUND SHRUBS AND TREES  FOAMING TECHNOLGY LETS YOU SEE WHERE YOU SPRAY Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8 Sat 8-5 OPEN SUNDAY 9-3 MAKE WEEDS AND UNWANTED GRASS GO AWAY! Ph.D., president & CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services. “The children in our care face huge challenges as they enter adulthood, and it can take very little for their lives to unravel. The financial assistance from the Thomas R.S. Burgin Parents Fund gives them the ability to focus on their studies without the additional pressure of having to support themselves. And an education will give them a solid foundation and a greater chance for success and selfsufficiency.” This year, 100 percent of the teens in the agency’s care graduated from high school, and the agency continues to provide critical services, including counseling and mentoring, for the adolescents after they age out of foster care. To donate to the Thomas R.S. Burgin Parents Fund, call Madinah Grier at (201) 261-2800 or visit www.cafsnj.org. Children’s Aid and Family Services maintains offices in Ridgewood and Paramus. Call (201) 261-2800. Skytop subdivision (continued from page 3) best place for an intersection because it is close to being a “T” intersection, it is in a low traffic volume area with low speed traffic, and all vehicles approaching the intersection would be clearly visible. “It’s a better situation for a residential neighborhood than the alternate being suggested by the objectors,” Inglima said, explaining that creating an intersection on Wyckoff Avenue, which he said has a significant curvature in that area, would be a worse alignment. Inglima said all the lots being created by the subdivision meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance. He emphasized that his clients, who will continue to live on the property with other family members, are trying to create an attractive variance free subdivision. The water service for the seven lots was also discussed at length at the last meeting of the planning board. Michael McGowan, the Kayals’ professional engineer, testified that the five new lots would be served by a six inch water line which would connect to a six inch line in Skytop Drive. The two lots on Wyckoff Avenue would continue to be served by a private water line in that road. Board member John Speicht said the board is looking to “loop” the water line, however, to avoid the collection of sediment. But McGowan said the state’s Residential Site Improvement Standards only require that action if a subdivision is for 20 or more homes. Board member Ward Donigian questioned McGowan on how he intends to provide adequate fire protection with the low water pressure in that area. McGowan responded that the low water pressure is an existing condition and there is no way to loop the water line. “According to the RSIS, you must provide adequate fire protection,” Donigian responded. Bernard Ross, the chairman of the planning board, also told McGowan he must determine a way to provide adequate water pressure for fire protection. Mayor Richard Martel, who is a member of the planning board, agreed. 27 FRANKLIN TPKE, WALDWICK • 201-652-5666 ��