A.C.T. in the News

Senate to recognize mom who works with troubled teenagers

(May 30, 2008, By Hema Easley)

The state Senate will honor Penny Jennings of Pomona with the 2008 New York State Woman of Distinction award for her work with at risk teens.

Jennings will be recognized at a ceremony Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. The award was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplified personal excellence, or whose professional achievements, acts of courage, selflessness or integrity were an example to others.

"Penny is one of those success stories that we can proudly share with our daughters, sisters and neighbors and who will serve as an example for achievement and excellence for our entire community," state Sen. Thomas Morahan said in a statement that announced the award.

Jennings, a single mother for many years, started A.C.T. Inc. Adults Caring for Teens in 2006 to provide mentoring to youth who had had a brush with the law, were in trouble at school or were at loose ends and needed a mentor and a role model. Her own son did not have much needed mentoring when they first moved to Rockland in the early 1990s, and Jennings said she wanted to fill the gap, especially for black or Hispanic youth.

Now, with the help of grants from the county's Youth Bureau, A.C.T. provides mentoring to 26 boys and girls at the Nyack Center. Beginning July 1, it will be able to add another 15 to the group, thanks to a grant by the county's Department of Social Services. "It's nice to be recognized and appreciated for what you do," said Jennings, who is CEO of A.C.T. "I did it when no one even knew. I have to do it because everything worked out for me. I have to give back."

The grants allow mentors to take those being mentored out for dinner every once in a while. It also pays foran end of the year Broadway show, dance theater and other cultural and sporting events. The agency also hosts a girl's circle, a gender specific talk group that includes peer counseling.

Prior to founding A.C.T., Jennings worked for the New York state Department of Corrections and New York City Transit Authority. She earned a bachelor of science degree in business management and economics, and a master of arts degree in social policy. She is pursuing a doctorate in law and policy at Northeastern University.

Joshua White, 16, of West Haverstraw joined A.C.T. when it first started. He said he was a troubled youth, but Jennings helped him get back on track. "I did some bad things,'' White said. "I was hanging out with the wrong crowd; I was skipping school." Now, "I'm passing my class. I'm staying out of trouble. I'm help others with their homework. The A.C.T. program kept me out of trouble."

Reach Hema Easley at heasley@lohud.com or 845-578-2442.

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