(May 21, 2009 - Newark, NJ) PSEG announced today its commitment to providing $1.5 million to New Jersey nonprofits that are working to keep kids safe and positively engaged in the critical hours after school.

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram thanked PSEG for its corporate stewardship at an event in Perth Amboy and applauded the company for committing significant funding for programs that leverage the state’s support for gang and crime prevention.

“PSEG’s commitment to prevention programs serves as a model for a community-business partnership,” Milgram said. “The company’s contribution significantly leverages funding from the state and will enable us, collectively, to reach more than 3,500 young people in positive and meaningful ways.”       

PSEG was the first corporation to provide significant funding last year to support the Strategy for Safe Streets & Neighborhoods, giving the Boys & Girls Clubs $50,000 for gang prevention programs in three cities. The company is giving an additional $75,000 this year to sustain and expand the effort and committed $450,000 to New Jersey After 3 in a challenge grant that will expand afterschool programming in New Jersey.

"It is important that young people have a safe and positive place to go after school,” said Ed Selover, PSEG’s executive vice president and general counsel. “We’re proud of our work to help kids and support working families, and to align our giving priorities with the Governor’s crime prevention plan.”

The $1.5 million from the PSEG Foundation will support the efforts of leading nonprofits including New Jersey After 3, Boys & Girls Clubs and United Way, and support initiatives championed by the Boys Scouts, Girls Scouts and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers. 

Here is a synopsis:

• United Way - $650,000 to expand afterschool programs in communities across the state including those who serve children with special needs, such as children of incarcerated parents. 
• Boys & Girls Clubs- $75,000 for Gang Prevention through Targeted Outreach programs in Camden, Newark, Trenton, Plainfield, Elizabeth, Jersey City. Through a referral network that includes courts, police, other juvenile justice agencies, schools, social service agencies and community organizations, as well through direct outreach efforts, youth are recruited and mainstreamed into local Club programs as a diversion from gang activity. 
• New Jersey After 3 - $450,000 in a challenge grant to leverage fundraising and expand afterschool programs in Gloucester City and Camden. To be paid over three years. 
• The New Jersey State Library- $250,000 for “Homework Help,” free one-on-one online assistance from a live tutor in math, science, social studies and English. Offered at public libraries in Camden, Elizabeth, Franklin Township, Paulsboro, Gloucester City and Gloucester County, Monroe Township, New Brunswick, Newark, Paterson, Pitman, Township of Washington, West Deptford, Wenonah, Westville, Willingboro and Woodbury. Also available to students enrolled in New Jersey After 3's afterschool programs. www.homeworkhelpnj.org
• Boy Scouts -$50,000 to work with afterschool groups, churches and other venues to give inner city youth opportunities to participate in Scout activities that build self esteem.
• Girl Scouts -$30,000 for The Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, which helps improve attitudes related to school and work and decreases the likelihood of participation in risky behaviors.
• Council of New Jersey Grantmakers- $25,000 for the High School Graduation Campaign, a two day summit bringing together business, government, education and the non-profit sectors to create a statewide plan to reduce the growing number of high school drop-outs in New Jersey. Part of a year-long initiative to raise awareness about and identify solutions to this issue.  PSEG also joined a statewide effort to support the roll-out of the Civic Justice Corps program which helps individuals move out of poverty and prisons into post-secondary education opportunities and family-supporting employment. 

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSEG has a long tradition of caring for New Jersey’s people and communities. Each year, the company and its employees invest millions of dollars and thousands of hours to improve the quality of life in New Jersey. The company’s culture dictates that service to customers and community go hand-in-hand.