B-MAC hosts teen anger management workshops

The Brick Municipal Alliance Committee on Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Youth Services (B-MAC) will conduct anger management workshops for teens. The 10-session program will be held Monday evenings 6-7:30 p.m. in the Township Activity Center, Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road, beginning Jan. 26 and ending April 5, and is open to high school students ages 14-17.

In addition to anger management issues, these educational workshops will also look at life skills and character development. Topics to be covered in the classes will include effective communication, active listening, conflict resolution, problem solving, decision making, consequences and development of coping skills. The workshops will be conducted by Emma Mammano and Daniel Woska Jr., both program coordinators for the Brick Municipal Alliance. Mammano has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in child psychology and extensive experience working with children and teenagers as a teacher and counselor. Woska has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a certificate in parent education from Rutgers School of Social Work. Mammano and Woska will use a variety of videos, games and group activities to help students identify and deal with emotions that are underlying their anger.

"These workshops are part of an ongoing effort to help young people explore the causes for anger and ways to diffuse a conflict before it escalates into violence," said Andrea Zapcic, alliance coordinator. Parents of students enrolled in the programs will be required to attend two of the sessions along with their child that will address family issues and managing anger in the home. In these sessions, parents will have the opportunity to engage in activities designed to explore the nature of conflict and techniques for resolving it in positive and productive ways.

The development and evolution of these workshops by the Alliance come in response to concern by parents, educators, police and court officials regarding the prevalence of fighting and violence in schools, neighborhoods and public gathering places.

"We are pleased that the Brick Municipal Alliance Committee continues to respond to the needs and concerns of our community," said Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli. "Ultimately, our best effort to combat violence will be through collaboration between community, parents, students and the schools."

"Anger Management for Teens" is sponsored, in part, by a grant from the governor’s council on alcoholism and drug abuse. The workshops are free and open to all Brick Township residents in grades nine through 11 (up to age 17). Class size is limited and advance registration is required. Parents who want additional information, or would like to register their child, should call Emma Mammano at the B-MAC office (732) 262-1074.