For over 20 years, the agency has supported the Tour of Somerville. Middle Earth became the sole promoter of the tour in 1997, and now also organizes the Cycling Series races on Friday in Manville and on Sunday in Bound Brook. All event proceeds benefit Middle Earth and other local nonprofit organizations who partner with Middle Earth to promote the Tour.

Middle Earth strives to use the Tour of Somerville as a way to:

Middle Earth's forte is its flexiblilty in both the programs it offers and the relationship it develops with the program participants and their families. Middle Earth is also known for its ability to respond to emerging community needs and work collaboratively with other organizations to create complete and effective solutions.

Middle Earth's History

For more information about Middle Earth and its programs or how you can be involved:
P.O. Box 8045, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: 908-725-7223
Executive Director: Dan Puntillo

Visit the Middle Earth website at:
www.middleearthonline.org

What is now known as "Middle Earth" started in October 1969 by the Rev. Ron Cassie and the Rev. Ron Bell. Out of a counseling session between Rev. Bell and a 15-year-old girl, it was determined that a substantial number of teenagers were spending a significant amount of their time on the "street," experiencing failure in the home and in school. To address this issue, a weekly meeting in the church basement was created between Rev. Bell, Rev. Cassie and approximately 35 young people that the young girl had pulled together. This continued for three years, while the volunteers of the program grew to ten in number.

In June of 1972, Middle Earth was incorporated, in direct response to the expressed needs of youth at risk. The agency started with $3000 in the bank and a commitment of $2000. It began as a drop-in center for youth in Somerville, which provided positive alternatives to 'hanging out' on the streets. Services included recreation (in house and in the community), community service, decision-making skills training, informal counseling, information and referral, advocacy and street work.

In 1982, an additional drop-in center site was developed in response to the request of community leaders in Bound Brook. In 1986, Middle Earth added a 24-hour Youth Hotline, which provided crisis intervention, information and referral, informal counseling and walk-in services. Later that same year, Middle Earth implemented its Youth Employment Project, designed to help both youth who are seeking employment and employers who have positions to fill. A computerized job bank listing was distributed to schools and organizations that work with teens. YEP also helped youth to develop the skills necessary to obtain and maintain employment.

As the years went by, Middle Earth staff began developing strong, trusting relationships with the community's at-risk population. As a result, Middle Earth was able to learn the various needs of these youth and continued to develop programs that would address those needs.

In 1990, Middle Earth joined forces with the Linkage's School Based Program in the area of recreation and in the identification of at-risk youth within the Somerset County Vocational High School. In April 1993, Middle Earth developed the Outreach Program for severely emotionally disturbed youth and their families, offering mentoring services.

By 1996, Middle Earth expanded to formally help the delinquent population, although the staff had been working with these teens since the agency's inception. As a result, the Alternatives to Incarceration program began in September of 1996, acting as an alternative to the family court system. In September 1998, the organization began the Station House Adjustment Program, which offers community service for first time offenders.

You can learn about Middle Earth's current programs and services at their website: www.middleearthonline.org.