With a 5-year federal grant given to Montclair State University's Department of Family and Child Studies, Project C.O.P.E works to prevent substance abuse and the spread of HIV among African American and Latino youth in Paterson, NJ.

Project C.O.P.E.'s mission is to increase the capacity for integrated prevention activities throughout the Paterson community and decrease the rates of HIV infection and substance abuse among Paterson's youth.

We provide comprehensive workshops on topics such as: substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, STIs, healthy relationships, tobacco prevention, career development, and gang awareness.

Project C.O.P.E's prevention specialists work with individuals and families connecting them with community resources, providing information about risks in the community and working with them to avoid these risks.