Middle Earth Announces New Executive Director

Somerville, NJ – The Board of Trustees for Middle Earth, a nonprofit organization that serves local youth, is pleased to announce that Maria Strada will be the new Executive Director for the agency. The current Executive Director, Dan Puntillo, will be retiring in January, 2012 after leading Middle Earth for 40 years.

Strada has worked for Middle Earth for nearly 15 years and is the current Program Director for Middle Earth. She has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Psychology and is currently completing her Masters in Business Administration. Strada has a broad range of experience in helping others, including serving as a crisis counselor, coordinating a program to keep at-risk youth out of residential placements, supervising volunteers, helping to create an after school program for emotionally disturbed teens, and providing case management for both adults with disabilities and youth.

"We examined many qualified candidates," said Ash Shah, president of the Middle Earth Board. "Maria has been with this agency for 15 years, she has a great deal of passion for our youth, and she has some wonderful ideas for the future. The Board feels Maria is an excellent choice for this new beginning."

Strada’s work at Middle Earth has included supervision of all programs, grant writing, policy and program development, community outreach, and staff supervision, training and development. As the second-in-command at Middle Earth, she is well positioned to continue the valuable work of the agency.

“I am very excited for this opportunity,” said Strada. “I am fully committed to continuing the good work that Dan (Puntillo) and others began nearly 40 years ago. I look forward to enhancing and expanding our programs so that we can provide youth with much needed supportive services. In this day and age, youth are facing even more challenges than ever before. What hasn’t changed is their need for caring adults to help them navigate their lives and help them to become strong, independent members of the community.  I also plan to continue our strong collaborative work within the community. I am really passionate about our work and believe in what we do.”

Puntillo is thrilled with the Board’s choice, saying, “I know Maria (Strada) will do an outstanding job. I am leaving Middle Earth in good hands, and, under her leadership, it will continue to make a huge impact on our community.”

Middle Earth’s programs offer local children a safe environment where they can hang out with their friends, engage with caring adults who listen, obtain help with homework or employment searches, participate in fun group activities, and volunteer for community service opportunities. Their programs also teach basic life skills such as budgeting, cooking, obtaining a driver’s license, as well as positive decision making skills, acceptance of consequences for their actions, mentoring and leadership skills. All of their programs, which are free to youth, guide kids in learning respect for themselves and others and choosing positive alternatives to gangs, drugs and crime.

 

 

Affinity Federal Credit Union to Sponsor the
Peter Mayer Stars and Promises Holiday Concert

Somerville, NJ – Affinity Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the Peter Mayer Stars and Promises Holiday Concert. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2011 at the United Reformed Church, 100 West Main Street in Somerville.

Affinity Federal Credit Union, New Jersey's largest credit union, is a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution dedicated to improving the financial wellness of its membership. Affinity has 21 branches throughout northern and central New Jersey with more than 137,000 members from more than 2,000 businesses and organizations and total assets in excess of $1.9 billion. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, Affinity Federal Credit Union has been offering superior financial services with a member-oriented focus since 1935.

Tickets for the concert are $25 per person with proceeds being distributed equally among three local charities: Middle Earth, the North Branch Reformed Church, and the United Reformed Church. Middle Earth will use the funding to support their after-school programs, community centers, volunteer opportunities, and rehabilitative programs for local youth. The two churches will use the funding to invest in social ministries that help local individuals and agencies. Tickets can be purchased by calling 908-725-2313.

The event organizers are seeking additional sponsors for the concert, which has become a very popular holiday event. Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Peter Mayer has been quietly and steadily building a fervent following across the country, stepping outside his role as one of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers to front his own band, The Peter Mayer Group. Melding a unique and eclectic writing style, a distinctive voice, and virtuoso musicianship, Peter and his band create compelling and accessible music that is electrifying in live performance.

The beneficiaries of the concert are strong community builders in our local area, and you can learn more about them through their websites. For more information about Middle Earth, an agency that provides prevention, intervention and crisis services to 1500 local youth annually, visit www.middleearthnj.org. Visit the North Branch Reformed Church at www.nbrc.com/. Learn about the United Reformed Church in Somerville at www.unitedreformedchurchsomerville.org. To learn about the event sponsor, visit www.affinityfcu.org. To get more information about the concert, visit www.middleearthnj.org/starsandpromises/.

 

Middle Earth Seeking New Executive Director as Retirement Draws Near

Somerville, NJ – Middle Earth, a nonprofit organization that serves local youth, has been under the leadership of Dan Puntillo for 40 years. That partnership is about to come to a close as Puntillo gets ready to retire in January, 2012. The agency has started a search for a new Executive Director and is currently accepting resumes.

Puntillo first became involved with Middle Earth in 1969. He was a returning Vietnam veteran and attending college when he was asked to volunteer with at-risk youth. He quickly became passionate about helping teens become responsible adults. When Middle Earth incorporated in 1972, Puntillo served on its Board of Directors. Then in 1973, when the current Executive Director left to pursue another career, he recommended Puntillo take over the helm. He’s been in that role ever since.

Puntillo’s leadership has overseen a world of change in those four decades. In the beginning, Middle Earth operated one youth center with a budget of $3,000. Currently, Middle Earth still operates the Center, as well as six additional programs, with an annual agency budget exceeding $1 million. But, most impressive is the long list of people who testify to the impact Middle Earth has had on their lives.

One such testimonial is from a youth who came to Middle Earth back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. “Without the guidance offered by Middle Earth, I may not have finished high school let alone returned to college as a single mom,” said Mary Bishop, now a social worker. “I may have remained on welfare as my mother did, and not had the strength to return to school to obtain my Master's Degree. I was literally removed from the streets of Somerville and headed in the right direction to what I consider a very successful life.”

As Puntillo prepares for retirement, the staff and board at Middle Earth are looking toward the next chapter in the agency’s life. If you, or someone you know, is interested in applying for the position of Executive Director, please send your resume to employment@middleearthnj.org. Candidates should have a broad background in administration, youth programming and community relations, a Master’s Degree in a related field or comparable experience, a minimum of 10 years of direct service management with a non-profit organization, a minimum of 5 years of agency level management experience with a $1M + revenue organization, and a minimum of 5 years experience managing agency staff.

Middle Earth’s programs offer local children a safe environment where they can hang out with their friends, engage with caring adults who listen, obtain help with homework or employment searches, participate in fun group activities, and volunteer for community service opportunities. Their programs also teach basic life skills such as budgeting, cooking, obtaining a driver’s license, as well as positive decision making skills, acceptance of consequences for their actions, mentoring and leadership skills. All of their programs, which are free to youth, guide kids in learning respect for themselves and others and choosing positive alternatives to gangs, drugs and crime.

For more information, visit www.middleearthnj.org or call 908-725-7223.

 

Online Resource for Parents of Teens

Bridgewater, NJ – Middle Earth, a nonprofit organization that has served local youth for almost four decades, is offering an online resource for parents, teachers and other adults working with teens and pre-teens. The agency is writing a weekly blog that discusses a variety of adolescent issues.

Middle Earth’s blog, which began one year ago, can be found at http://middleearthnj.wordpress.com or through the Middle Earth website. The topics are thoroughly researched, provide the latest information and trends, and list several resources for obtaining help. Topics cover a wide range of teen issues, including stress management, nutritional information, gangs and crime, dating, building confidence, school issues, drugs, volunteerism and community service, sex, communication skills, anger management, and safety.

“We are trying to identify common issues that parents face with their teens and provide the most recent information on that topic,” said Dan Puntillo, the Executive Director for Middle Earth. “One of our current entries covers money management for teens. If every teen in America was taught proper budgeting skills, the next generation would be more financially responsible than their parents, many of whom are suffering with massive debt. We simply want to offer and share as much information as possible to help every child get the support they need.”

Middle Earth’s goal is to help youth become responsible and productive adults. The nonprofit offers youth safe places to gather, caring adults to listen and to be good role models, community service opportunities, educational assistance, positive recreation, and life skills education. This blog is another extension of their services.

For more information about the agency, visit www.middleearthnj.org or call 908-725-7223.