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Morris County, New Jersey

United Way of Morris County’s Youth Empowerment Alliance (YEA) is a county-wide initiative that focuses on ensuring our middle school-aged children have the skills and tools they need to navigate their increasingly complex world and to reach their fullest potential.

YEA is comprised of volunteers—non-profit agencies, parents, middle schools and teachers, local businesses, county representatives—from throughout the community who are working to make significant changes in the lives of our middle school children.

Since 2005, when United Way of Morris County partnered with local school districts to initiate the Youth Empowerment Project, we have engaged hundreds of local middle school students in secure and confidential discussions about their exposure to serious social pressures and issues. In this safe environment, students have had the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about tough issues and pressures they experience in their lives.