Prevention Links

04/30/2026

Greenway Family Success Center hosted an Inclusive Field Day earlier this month as part of a CAPA event, bringing families together for a day of connection and fun.

The event was designed to create a welcoming space where all children and families could participate, engage, and enjoy activities together.

It was a meaningful day centered on inclusion, community, and making sure everyone had a place to belong.

04/29/2026

Last week, we hosted a “Meet the Mayor” tour at our Vision of Hope Recovery Center, where Morgan Thompson was joined by Chaya Reinitz, Business Development Outreach Coordinator at Recovery CNT Center for Network Therapy and a valued volunteer member of our Vision of Hope Advisory Board.

Chaya is deeply committed to recovery, connecting individuals to care, and helping amplify the work we’re doing at Prevention Links. We’re grateful for her partnership and proud to have her as part of our community.

04/28/2026

We remain committed to continuous learning and growth to better serve our communities. Strengthening our ability to integrate mental health challenges, identify and respond to illicit drug use, and address the realities of human trafficking at the local level is essential to helping individuals and families build healthier, more resilient lives.

We are proud to share that our Chief Operating Officer, Maritza Raimundi-Petroski, recently participated in advanced training led by the Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA, the FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the NJ State Police. This experience will further enhance our capacity to optimize and expand services across Central and Northern New Jersey.

Thank you to DMHAS, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention & Recovery, and Rutgers Addiction Research Center for sponsoring this important opportunity and for your continued partnership in strengthening our collective impact.

04/28/2026

We were honored to welcome Mayor Elsie Foster and her team to our Vision of Hope Recovery Center for a tour of our new space in Highland Park. It was a meaningful opportunity to share more about our services, connect on community needs, and explore ways to spread awareness about the support available to residents.

We’re grateful to be part of the Highland Park, New Jersey community and excited for what’s ahead. Stop by and visit us at 233 Raritan Ave, we’d love to welcome you in.

04/27/2026

Prevention works, and right now, it needs your help.

According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, every $1 invested in public health saves about $14 in long-term costs. That’s the power of prevention, and it’s exactly the kind of impact Prevention Links brings directly into schools across New Jersey through mental health workshops, prevention programming, and student support.

But proposed state budget cuts could reduce 80% of our in-school prevention funding, putting this work at risk. We can’t fully replace what’s being lost, but we can keep it going for the students and schools who depend on it.

Your support makes a real, immediate difference. A $25 gift helps fund materials for a classroom session, $100 can sponsor a prevention workshop, $500 supports a full workshop series, $2,500 helps fund a semester of programming, and $10,000 can sustain an entire school partnership for a year.

Every dollar supports real students, real families, and real schools. Every dollar helps prevent crisis before it starts.

Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/new-jersey-built-a-system-to-support-young-people-before-crisisand-now-its-at-risk

This work doesn’t stop. Not now. Not for them.

04/27/2026

What happens when prevention support reaches students before a crisis? At Union High School, a group of freshmen boys were skipping classes, disrespecting staff, and struggling both in school and at home.

Traditional discipline wasn’t working. Then they joined Mental Hop through NJ4S Union Hub, led by Dr. Sconiers. Today, teachers report major improvements in behavior and academics, parents have called just to say thank you, and their counselor shared that seeing them in the hallways is now the best part of her day.

This is what prevention-forward youth mental health support looks like.

Since launching, NJ4S has served more than 37,145 participants in Union County alone. But proposed state budget cuts would eliminate this prevention funding on July 1. Clinical care matters, and prevention matters too. New Jersey students need both.

Our latest newsletter shares what’s at stake, why this matters, and how you can help protect programs like NJ4S.

• Read the full newsletter: conta.cc/4tXYO1H
• Contact your local representatives today: preventionlinksadvocate.org
• Learn more about NJ4S and view our partner’s advocacy tools: pipnj.org/nj4s

Take action now. Support youth mental health before crisis happens.

04/21/2026

Prevention Links is proud to share that our new Chief Operating Officer, Maritza Raimundi-Petroski, has officially begun her listening tour across the agency, starting with our Family Success Centers (pictured here, Palisades Family Success Center in Union and Liberty Family Success Center in Kearny).

From day one, Maritza has prioritized a thoughtful and organized approach to gathering input, concerns, and perspectives from staff, stakeholders, and community members. This intentional focus reflects a leadership philosophy grounded in understanding before action, taking the time to learn about the organization’s culture, strengths, and untapped potential before implementing change.

Under the leadership of our CEO, Morgan Thompson, Prevention Links has steadily expanded the number of Family Success Centers across key communities in New Jersey. This growth has been driven by our commitment to maintaining fidelity to the model while remaining responsive to families’ evolving needs.

This listening tour represents the next chapter in that journey, ensuring that the voices of those closest to the work continue to shape the path forward.

04/20/2026

Want to make a difference and earn community service hours? Join our volunteer team for Wellness Wonderland at Warinanco Park Skating Rink on Saturday, May 2nd from 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM.

We’re looking for high school students in Union County to help bring this Mental Health & Wellness Fair to life. Volunteers will support check-in, activity stations, support tables, and overall event flow while helping create a welcoming, judgment-free space for community members.

You’ll assist with activities like yoga, gardening, teddy bear making, karaoke, the pledge wall, stress ball making, and more while connecting people to resources that support mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

What you’ll get:
Up to 5 community service hours
* Lunch provided
* Hands-on experience and a chance to meet new people

Fill out the form to sign up and secure your spot!

04/17/2026

Throwback to Marci Hopkins speaking at Prevention Links Red Ribbon Day. ❤️

It was such a powerful and moving day, centered around awareness, recovery, and real conversations that matter!

Being part of moments like this and helping amplify messages that make an impact is something we are always proud of.⭐️

04/15/2026