feature story / 27 Gym; as a natural mentor he puts his years of experience working with kids to use. He also likes to bring others along from Eternal Light and has re- cruited some young men to help out – Samuel Joseph and David Cadet – who attended his mentoring program from 2007 through 2011. Both talk about how important the program was in helping them navigate high school and plan their future. Their mentors stood in as father figures, especially important to Cadet, who was raised in an all-female household and yearned for a male influence. The boys not only graduated from Essex Community College and Rut- gers University, but are now building their careers in law enforcement. Still in the community, they’re thrilled to be helping other youth who remind them of their younger selves. Open Gym has concluded its first full year and Fields is planning to start up again in September. Since the pro- gram depends on the generosity of the community, she asks that anyone interested in donating board games, bottled water and food contact her at cfields@twp.maplewood.nj.us. with more officers in attendance than students. But after some of the glitches were worked out the program started catching on, and monthly turnout now numbers anywhere from 50 to 80 kids. Basketball is the big draw here, espe- cially because the students get to com- pete against police officers who donate their time. But Open Gym also features games such as ping pong, checkers, jump rope and dancing. And there’s plenty of food, generously donated by area businesses. In the middle of the program, when everyone is eating and catching their breath, a drug preven- tion public service announcement is shown, courtesy of the Maplewood and South Orange Municipal Alliances. As Fields explains, “Open Gym is a chance for the kids and police offi- cers to get to know each other in a fun atmosphere.” Then when the officers are out on the street they’ll recognize the kids, be able to converse with them and provide help should they ever need it. A product of after-school programs in her own youth, Fields knows the power of having mentors and people who can be positive role models. Morrison attends every Open L-R: Sam Joseph and David Cadet benefit- ted from a mentor program run by retired Officer Mike Morrison. Zeman Hebrew School Traditional Heart—Modern Soul Inspiring individual students with Jewish values to help them flourish in a secular world. 170ScotlandRoad SouthOrange,NJ CONTACT: ohebshalom.org/zeman-school FREE KINDERGARTEN! GavinHirsch@OhebShalom.org or (973) 762-7067 zeman school Rose & Isadore of Oheb Shalom Congregation PRESCHOOL PRESCHOOL MICKEY FRIED OF OHEB SHALOM CONGREGATION Learn. Create. Play. South Orange, NJ • MickeyFriedPreschool.org • (973) 762-7069 Zeman Hebrew School Traditional Heart—Modern Soul Inspiring individual students with Jewish values to help them flourish in a secular world. 170ScotlandRoad SouthOrange,NJ CONTACT: ohebshalom.org/zeman-school FREE KINDERGARTEN! GavinHirsch@OhebShalom.org or (973) 762-7067 zeman school Rose & Isadore of Oheb Shalom Congregation PRESCHOOL PRESCHOOL MICKEY FRIED OF OHEB SHALOM CONGREGATION Learn. Create. Play. South Orange, NJ • MickeyFriedPreschool.org • (973) 762-7069