Decades separate local teenagers from the members of the Asbury Park VFW, but an area mother has brought the two groups together by hiring a popular DJ to put on teen parties at VFW headquarters.
Kimberly Brown [pictured at right, third from left], of Neptune, organizes the parties, which started this fall. VFW members donated their event hall at a discounted rate to help provide area teens with an activity that was fun and safe.
It all started with the parties Brown threw for her daughter in their Neptune backyard — “her eighth-grade graduation party, appreciation parties for her doing well in school,” Brown said. “The turnout that I used to get at my parties was unbelievable. I was putting anywhere from 150 to 200 kids in my backyard.”
Brown realized she needed a bigger venue for safety reasons, and also took the large turnout as a sign that area teenagers needed more activities. A Neptune native, Brown has been a leader in Girl Scouts, the 4H club and double-Dutch. Her two daughters are 11 and 16.
For her daughter’s Sweet 16 party at the VFW over the summer, Brown hired DJ Lilman, a popular DJ from the Newark area. DJ Lilman is known for providing music at parties and teaching attendees dance steps like “the bunny-hop” and “the Urkel,” similar to line dances, Brown said.
The Sweet 16, held at the Asbury Park VFW, was a big success, with over 150 kids attending and no fights or problems, Brown said. Brown and DJ Lilman realized they could provide the local kids with something to do by having him orchestrate dances at the VFW monthly.
DJ Lilman is “not the average DJ,” Brown said. “The type of crowds he draws are the kids who like to come out and show their dance skills. He comes and entertains these teens. He cracks jokes for them. He offers prizes.”
Even VFW members enjoyed DJ Lilman’s set.
“I’m not a fan of rap music, but I was impressed by the way that he didn’t incite the crowd, but he controlled them,” said VFW Commander George Reed [pictured, second from left]. “These kids are very young. They’re 13 or 14 up to 18. They’re looking for a place to go where they can just enjoy themselves. They just danced until they were exhausted.”
And thanks to a strong adult presence, the parties are safe. At a dance before Halloween, more than 400 kids came and there was “not one fight, not one incident,” Brown said. Brown hires six security guards at each party, and the Asbury Park Police Department sends officers over to do walk-throughs. Some of the teenagers’ parents chaperone, as well.
“That’s what I like,” Reed said, “the parents come to be here and watch their kids to see that something’s really being done. Somebody’s trying to do something.”
And the police presence is important for reasons beyond security.
“I want the police to be able to interact with the kids and show the kids they’re not bad guys,” Brown said. “They’re here to help them and keep them safe. The Asbury Park Police Department has been unbelievable with the type of help they’ve given me with these parties.”
Security guards also search kids’ purses and shoes before the parties begin, and are able to remove anyone showing gang signs or symbols, Brown said.
The city council has supported Brown’s efforts, and Councilman Kevin Sanders attends each party, Brown said. “He spoke to the kids and said he was happy that we were doing this for them and that they were well-behaved,” she said.
The parties are made up of high-school-aged children from mostly Asbury Park and Neptune, but the most recent party also drew teenagers from Lakewood, Long Branch and Elizabeth, Brown said.
“The kids are coming from all over because number one, they love this DJ,” Brown said. “And number two, they know that this party they’re coming to is safe.”
Lou Parisi, a former VFW commander and a frequent speaker a city council meetings, told the public about the dances at the Dec. 5 meeting. First, he spoke of the recent improvements in test scores at Asbury Park schools, as well as Asbury Park’s status the second most-improved school in New Jersey. Then, he talked about Brown and the VFW’s collaboration on the teen dances.
“We had 300 teenagers in one place, and we’ve got to tell you, their behavior was exemplary,” Parisi said. “I think this proves to everyone that teenagers can be trusted when they have our support.”
————
[Above photos courtesy of Kimberly Brown. Pictured in bottom photo, from left: Brown’s niece Sade Williams, VFW Commander George Reed, Kimberly Brown and her daughters, Imirrah Brown and Maiasia Brown.]
