The Thomas J. Griffin Bridges Program
An Educational Program for Inner City Young Men

The Thomas J. Griffin Bridges Program is a special assistance program offer by Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange to assist inner-city young men in thier education.

Griffin Bridges seeks to build upon the school's mission, by reaching out to talented young men from neighboring inner cities and providing them with support and an environment in which they can learn and develop. The Program provides financial and social support to high achieving, economically disadvantaged, inner city young men so that they may attend Seton Hall Prep and successfully graduate. In addition to substantial tuition assistance, support is provided to the student and his family by a formal network of sponsors, mentors, big brothers, school administrators, faculty and parents whose efforts are coordinated by a full-time program director.

The major components of the Program are described below:

1. Tuition Assistance: Every student in the program receives financial assistance. The amount of aid is determined by the Parent's Financial Statement as assessed by the School and Student Services for Financial Aid.
2. Counseling: Griffin Bridges employs a full-time program director whose primary obligation is to see to the needs of the students.
3. Big Brother Component: Each freshman in the program is provided with several big brothers (juniors and seniors from the general Seton Hall Prep population) who assist with his transition into high school.
4. Mentoring Component: Each student in the program is provided with a mentor, a Seton Hall Prep alumnus, who volunteers to assist the student with any needs. They act as role models and help the student with college and career advice and encouragement.

Griffin Bridges serves students from low-income families that reside in Newark, East Orange, Orange and Irvington only. The student must have a significant financial need which would preclude him from attending SHP under regular financial aid allowances. Although Seton Hall Prep recognizes a real need in many more areas of New Jersey we are limited by financial resources and an abundance of potential candidates in these cities.

Contact Information:

Program Director
Thomas J. Griffin Bridges Program
Seton Hall Preparatory School
120 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
973-325-6784

phone: 973-325-6784

www.shp.org