For Immediate Release:
April 5, 2019

 

Bergen County Celebrates Grand Reopening of Conklin Building

(Hackensack) – In 1929, Bergen County opened the Conklin Building at 125 Essex Street in Hackensack to serve as the county’s “Child Welfare Department.” From its earliest days, this building provided services and support for Bergen County’s neediest children and young adults. After 90 years of operation, the building needed significant renovations to meet the current and future needs of the young people of Bergen County. On Wednesday, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Bergen County Department of Human Services and Division of Family Guidance, welcomed local officials, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate the Grand Reopening of 125 Essex Street. The improvements to the Conklin Building are investments in our young people and our future, providing a safe, modern space for county programs that help at-risk youths access the resources and community support they need to enjoy healthy, happy adult lives.

The Conklin building will continue to be home to existing programs like ASAP (the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program), after-school drop-in and summer recreation programs, Reflections (encouraging teen engagement through improvisation), Alternatives to Detention, Empower House (therapeutic and pro-social programming for young women ages 16-22), and Visions (a transitional living program for homeless teens and young adults).  The new and improved space at 125 Essex Street allows the county to expand the Visions program (doubling capacity from 6 to 12 beds) and launch a version of Empower House for young men ages 16-22.

Photographs of the event are included below.