O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Receives In-Kind Support from Good Neighbors

Exelon staff from the Oyster Creek Generating Station and the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties continue to be very good neighbors while being active in the community as they embarked on a summer clean-up project at the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Child Development Center at the Ocean County College.  

At the Head Start Center, volunteers delved into projects including maintenance, indoor painting, power washing, organization of classroom and closet space, cabinet installation, reconstruction and painting of an outdoor picnic table and read stories to the students. 

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. truly appreciates the dedicated Exelon and the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties staff for their hard work by providing O.C.E.A.N., Inc. with their time and materials allowing the agency to use the in-kind as a match to the agency federal Head Start grant. 

Their recognition of the needs of the community, the importance of their volunteering and supporting O.C.E.A.N., Inc. are greatly appreciated and they did a great job! The O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Board of Trustees and the administration thank them for the generous donation of their time and we look forward to working with them at future events.

Exelon Volunteer Employees-Clockwise: Matt Capone, Kaitlyn Roberts, Val Laudeman, Jacqui Moore, Ginny Griffin, Diane Wright, Lysle Sites, Tim Moore (Site Vice President) and Jason Eagan shared the playground with O.C.E.A.N., Inc. students.

 

 

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Soccer Shots - A Fitness Experience for O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start Students

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. established the FIT Kids – Healthy and Active Living Program for all children at agency Head Start Centers throughout Ocean County. This educational and interactive program focuses on the importance of good nutritional and fitness habits at the earliest stage in a child’s life and targets both the pre-school student and their parents.

Recently “Soccer Shots” staff visited the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Barnegat Head Start Center with a focus on the fitness component of the children. Soccer Shots is a high-energy program aimed at impacting children who live in underserved communities. During their visit to the center, coaches Justin and Vanessa introduced the Barnegat Head Start children to fundamental soccer principles, such as using your feet, dribbling and the basic rules of the game all of which support their physical and personal development.

The staff of Barnegat Soccer Shots dedicated their time and resources by introducing fun games and positive reinforcement while focusing on the students developmental needs as they experienced the joy of playing soccer and being active. We appreciate their valuable service and dedication to the health and well-being of our students and look forward to future outreach events.

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Ocean County Freeholders Provided O.C.E.A.N., Inc. a Proclamation in Recognition of Community Action Month

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Community Action Agency provided a variety of outreach events throughout May in recognition and celebration of Community Action. (l-r) Virginia “Ginny” Haines presented an Ocean County Freeholder Proclamation to the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Board Member Yvonne N. Doval-Von Scheidt and Channell Wilkins, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. President/CEO along with Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari who recognized May as Community Action Month.

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O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start Parents Participate in ESL Classes and Receive Certificates of Achievement

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start parents participated in O.C.E.A.N., Inc. sponsored ESL classes and in May celebrated and received their certificates of achievement.  

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Snooki, JWoww and Bronna Lipton visit O.C.E.A.N., Inc. and donate toys to the Head Start Children through Second Chance Toys

Snooki and JWoww recently visited Ocean Inc. along with Bronna Lipton, Executive Director of Second Chance Toys and donated over 200 toys to the Head Start Children at the O.C.E.A.N.,Inc. Head Start Center on the Campus of Ocean County College. The mission of O.C.E.A.N., Inc. is to improve the quality of life through the delivery of donated items that meet the needs of disadvantaged individuals, families and their children by assisting them in achieving self-sufficiency.

The agency staff and our Head Start families are very grateful for their donation and for their kindness. Their recognition of the needs of the community and the importance of their donation are greatly appreciated.

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Special Thank you to our Community Partner “Helping Families in Need, Ocean County” for donating 75 Easter Baskets for the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start Children

      

l-r Ms. Tracy Zucaro, (Melissa Miller-Not Pictured) Helping Families in Need, Channell Wilkins, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. President/CEO and Meg Saunders, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start Director accept the Easter Baskets prepared and donated by Helping Families in Need.

l-r OCC Head Start Students Donovan Jones, Iker Onofre, Ms. Anita Woolery, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Board of Trustee Chair and student Malania Jones. Head Start students received Easter Baskets prepared and donated by Helping Families in Need.

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Atlantic City Electric (ACE) Helping Hands Program

Are you an Atlantic City Electric (ACE) Customer and Need Help with your Electric Bill?

Atlantic City Electric (ACE) Helping Hands Program is a $200 supplemental grant for ACE residential customers earning less than 400% FPL.  The grant can be combined with LIHEAP, USF or NJ Shares depending on the household’s gross monthly income.  Applicants do not need a shut off notice but must be in arrears on their ACE bill. 

Applicants may apply online through the NJ Shares website www.njshares.org or by contacting one of the following OCEAN Inc. Home Energy Assistance offices to schedule an appointment, Waretown, Galloway, Pleasantville and Atlantic City.  All Ocean Inc. offices and phone numbers listed above can be found in the contact and location section of this website. 

 

O.C.E.A.N., INC.

HOME ENERGY

OFFICE LOCATIONS!

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Home Energy/Weatherization

52 Hyers Street

      Toms River, NJ 08754

Home Energy Phone Number: (732) 244-9041

Home Energy Fax Number: (732) 244-3962

Ocean and Monmouth County Weatherization Phone Number and Extensions: (732) 244-8176   Ext. 107 for Ocean County and Ext 111 for the Monmouth County Outreach Coordinator.     

(At this office, apply for Weatherization and Home Energy Assistance including NJ Shares and Gift of Warmth) 

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O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Southern Ocean County

Home Energy Office

Indian Plaza

304 Route 9 – Suite 6

                                      Waretown, NJ 08758

Home Energy Phone Number: (609) 549-5822

Home Energy Fax Number: (609) 549-5788

(At this office, apply for Home Energy Assistance including NJ Shares and Gift of Warmth)

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O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Home

Energy Office in Atlantic City

(Atlantic County)

1125 Atlantic Avenue

6th Floor – Suite 624

                                   Atlantic City, NJ 08401 

Home Energy Phone Number: (609) 345-1359 

        Home Energy Fax Number: (609) 345-1365

(At this office, apply for Home Energy Assistance including NJ Shares and Gift of Warmth)

(For additional O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Office locations, please select the location/contact tabs)

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Homelessness Prevention

Program

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. is now providing the Homelessness Prevention Program which is temporary assistance to households who are being evicted due to a short-term loss of income.  If you or anyone you know requires this assistance, please call Cindy Olson at (732) 831-4996 Ext. 22 or visit the Intake Office located at 22 Hyers Street in Toms River for your initial pre-screening. You can also contact Adrienne Lawrence at (732) 288-2618 for assistance.

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Overcome the Barrier to Self-Sufficiency

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. is a community action agency that was created in the 1960’s to combat poverty throughout the country.

To achieve our goal of identifying and overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. works with local, state, and federal government, other agencies, and members of private sector institutions to provide programs and funding to help residents of the community help themselves. Please visit our “Programs and Special Projects” pages for more information on the services we offer. Our partnerships with other providers in our community have made our job easier—we could not have done it without them. As always, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. seeks to build partnerships with additional agencies to better assist the residents of multiple counties. If you are interested in our services, or in working with us as a volunteer, employee, or as a partner agency, please contact us at (732) 244-5333.

O.C.E.A.N., Inc Head Start is accepting applications for the 2017 – 2018 school year

Head Start offers a FREE comprehensive pre-school program at several locations throughout the county. The program provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum, child health screenings, family services, accepts special needs children, provides meals and snacks, and transportation-half day only.

Program services children ages 3 to 5; children need to be 3 years by October 1, 2017. Eligible children who turn 3 years after October 1, 2017 will be placed on a waiting list. Requirements for eligibility:

• Birth Certificate

• Proof of Income – Documentation must be from the past twelve months or calendar year

• Health Documentation – physical, dental, immunizations, H&H/lead screenings

For more information, please call 732-244-9114