The Spring 2007 graduating class of the New Jersey DSY.

New Jersey All Stars expanded tremendously this summer and is gearing up development this fall!  The New Jersey Development School for Youth placed a record-high 83 graduates in full-time internships this summer.  Out of the 34 companies who hosted internships, 13 partnered with DSY for the first time this summer to create a developmental job experience for the young people.  Ashlee, age 17, learned a lot about constructive criticism at her summer internship.  She told us, "After the first week at my internship I received feedback on a project.  I wasn’t used to that and didn’t really like it.  After the second and third feedback sessions, not only did I appreciate it, but my work improved greatly."

Meanwhile, the New Jersey All Stars established an exciting partnership with the YMWCA to create a summer of performance for Newark's youth.  The New Jersey Talent Show Network held a special one-day talent show event with the YMWCAs of Newark and Belleville that brought 115 young people and adults together for a day of performing.  New Jersey All Stars also collaborated with the YMWCA of Newark to run four weeks of free theatre classes for young people.  The students hailed from Newark, Irvington, Orange, Elizabeth, Belleville and East Orange.

New Jersey is now looking forward to a "Phat" fall, starting with this year's fall benefit dinner for the Development School for Youth at the Robert Treat Hotel on October 29.  Mayor Cory Booker, who has said that the New Jersey All Stars "brings out the genius of Newark’s youth," will be the honored guest and speaker.  November 28 will mark the 6th Annual New Jersey Phat Friends Awards, which will highlight the unsung heroes and the youth leaders of New Jersey.

For more information about All Stars activities in Newark, NJ, contact Ofronama Biu at obiu@allstars.org or call 973-622-5506.