United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

Roxbury Middle School Students Learn Social Awareness in the "Game of Life"
Friday, November 16, 2007

United Way of Morris County in cooperation with the Morris County Child Abuse Prevention Collaboration (CAPC) and Dierdre's House hosted the "Game of Life" on November 16, 2007 at Eisenhower Middle School in Succasunna, NJ. 

This unique program is designed to make middle school kids aware of the many agencies and programs within their local community that are in place to address their problems, concerns, and issues.  Approximately 360 students from Eisenhower Middle School participated in the program.

The "Game of Life" gives middle school students the opportunity to improve their problem solving skills to help them address specific issues.   It also provides invaluable information about the services and resources available to them through their school, town, and the larger community.

Students were each given a description of a real life problem related to domestic violence, substance abuse, pregnancy, an eating disorder, or depression.  They had one class period to solve or address the problem by visiting and learning from the various service providers represented at the school that day. 

David Johnston, the Division of Youth and Family Services, challenged the children to think about all the issues that they learn about through the internet, and through their relationships with friends and family and to "use this day as an opportunity to learn about what resources are out there" for them, right here in their own community. 

"Kids today are struggling with a lot of difficult things that we as adults may not even know about," said Geri Esposito, Student Assistant Counselor at Eisenhower Middle School.  "It is so important that kids know all the resources that are available to help them with their problems."

The kids involved were resoundingly positive about their experience with The Game of Life.  "I learned a lot about the different agencies and how they can help kids who have these problems know where to go for help," said Michelle Guglielmo, a 13 year old 8th grade student. 

"Some agencies are different than what we thought," said Shannon Duque, another 8th grader from Eisenhower Middle School who participated in the event.  This is the third school year (or second year) that the very successful and sought after middle school version of the Game of Life was conducted.  "We requested United Way of Morris County to bring this program to Eisenhower Middle School again this year," said Esposito.  "The kids responded so well to it last year and we knew they all benefited from the activity."

Participating service providers in today's "Game of Life" event included: United Way of Morris County and 2-1-1 First Call for Help; Dierdre's House; Child and Family Resources; Day Top, Division of Youth and Family Services; Family Service of Morris County; JBWS; Morris County Sexual Assault Center; Morristown Memorial Hospital Teen Health FX program; Roxbury Municipal Alliance; Roxbury Public Health Department; St. Clare's Girls Rule program; Roxbury Police Department, Family Intervention Services, Morris County Prosecutor's Office and personnel from Eisenhower Middle School.