Dissolution of SCAYP and 2007 Recap

Somerset County Association of Young Professionals (SCAYP) would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your tireless commitment and dedication to making Somerset County a better place to live and work, and inform you about the future of the organization.

Highlights in 2007 included:
- Serving dinner at Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick
- Cooking food for Somerville's Samaritan Homeless Interim Program's mobile food truck
- Networking and engaging in friendly competition at Ten Pins Lanes in Manville
- Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with food, music and activities at Somerset Treatment Services in Somerville
- Creating festive Easter baskets for Adamsville Elementary School in Bridgewater
- Picking up trash at near Adamsville Elementary School in Bridgewater
- Learning to network at a seminar at J&J in Raritan
- Spreading the word about SCAYP at the Somerset County International Festival and Somerville Street Fair
- Stuffing a direct mail project for Habitat for Humanity
- Providing free bike helmets to children at the Tour of Somerville
- Raising money for cancer research by sponsoring a team at the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life event at Manville High School
- Taking charge of our financial health at Personal Finance 101 at CoccaLa in Hillsborough
- Networking over mini golf in Piscataway
- Learning tactics for dealing with difficult personalities during a seminar at New Orleans Family Restaurant in North Branch
- Manning concession stands at a Somerset Patriots game
- Networking and raising money over the links at Heron Glen Golf Course during our annual Par-Tee Golf Outing
- Helping build a new home for a family in Somerset through Habitat for Humanity
- Cooking and serving Thanksgiving dinner for Somerset County's less fortunate at the PeopleCare Center in Bridgewater

Click here for photo highlights.

While 2007 offered many opportunities to better Somerset County, it was not without its challenges for our organization. Since SCAYP was founded in 2001, it has faced its share of difficulties. Increasing work and family commitments for both our board and membership, competing organizations both locally and statewide, and limited resources have had a devastating effect on SCAYP this year. Several events were cancelled due to low interest, and while the board and a core group of dedicated members - most of whom who serve on our Volunteer Committee - worked to keep SCAYP viable, we have come to the decision to dissolve the organization, effective Dec. 31, 2007.
 
This has been a difficult and painful decision for our board to make, but internal and external issues have become insurmountable.
 
The remaining funds in the organization's bank account will be used to provide a final helping hand to several organizations that have energetically partnered with SCAYP in the past, including the Somerset County Vocational-Technical School, Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition, Food Bank of Somerset County, Children's Museum of Somerset County and Somerset Treatment Services. In addition, we have sponsored a $1,500 scholarship in SCAYP's name to help a Raritan Valley Community College student who has also made philanthropy a priority in her life.
 
Thank you again for helping make Somerset County a better place, and please keep up the good work - see below for links to local organizations in need of volunteers.
 
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
 
Sincerely,
 
Board of Directors
Somerset County Association of Young Professionals (SCAYP, Inc.)

SCAYP has worked closely with

Middle Earth
Middle Earth is a non-profit, community-based agency that has been providing services to at-risk adolescents for over three decades.
middleearthonline.org

Morris Land Conservancy
Morris Land Conservancy is a non-profit organization that strives to protect water resources in New Jersey; conserve open space; and inspire and empower individuals and communities to preserve land and the environment.
morrislandconservancy.org

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry with the goal of making decent, affordable housing available to every family worldwide.
www.rvhabitat.org

SHIP, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program
SHIP is a faith based, interfaith and community funded, assisted and supported, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for the poor.
www.ship908.com

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County
IHN-SC is a homeless shelter and assistance agency for homeless families and single women in the county that provides shelter, meals, and emotional support to homeless families and single women through volunteers at various religious congregational facilities
ihnsomconj.org

The Children's Museum
The Children's Museum was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in November, 1996 with the goal of improving the quality of life for children and their families through the creation and operation of a children's museum in Somerset County.
www.childrensmuseumnj.org

Somerset Treatment Service
Somerset Treatment Services is a treatment and counseling center offering affordable outpatient services for substance abuse and HIV-rclated illnesses.
somersettreatmentservices.org

American Cancer Society Manville Relay for Life
At events in 4,800 communities nationwide, teams of families, friends and coworkers join together to CELEBRATE the lives of those who have battled cancer, REMEMBER those lost and FIGHT BACK against a disease that takes too much.
relayforlife.org

People Care Center
Hosts community events and provides a home for Centeal New Jersey's non-profit organizations.
peoplecarecenter.org

Operation Shoebox
Sends support, snacks and much needed personal care items to troops deployed outside of the USA.
operationshoebox.com

Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen
Since Elijah's Promise began in 1989, they have been helping low-income people in the central New Jersey community.
elijahspromise.net