Aspire News & Media

Aspire Youth Development and Creative Content OnDemand Awarded $444,000 NJEDA Grant to Train Young Adults for Film and Digital Media Careers  

The South Jersey organizations will facilitate the 2026 FRAME (Film Readiness & Media Education) Program for young adults and high school seniors across Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties. 

LUMBERTON, NJ — November 2025 — Aspire Youth Development and Creative Content OnDemand have been selected as two of five organizations across New Jersey to receive funding through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Film Works Grant Program. The program invests statewide to expand training and apprenticeship opportunities in the state’s fast-growing film and digital media industries.  

Aspire Youth Development, in partnership with Creative Content OnDemand, will use $444,164 awarded through the Film Works Grant Program to facilitate their comprehensive film training initiative, FRAME (Film Readiness & Media Education). FRAME is an innovative program designed to open doors for young adults and high school seniors who are ready to launch careers in New Jersey’s rapidly growing film and digital media sector, preparing them for entry-level positions in one of the state’s most dynamic and in-demand industries.  

The grant will enable the organizations to offer hands-on training for roles such as assistant editor, camera operator, and film/television editor, serving residents across Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington Counties.  

Aspire’s training will be delivered in person at various community-based locations throughout the region, with outreach extending to neighboring communities across South Jersey. The immersive initiative will also provide participants with two months of job placement support and career coaching.  

“This funding allows us to give young people access to real career pathways in the creative economy — fields that are growing, exciting, and within reach,” said Curtis Myers, President and Founder of Aspire Youth Development. “Through this program, participants will gain the technical skills and industry connections to launch meaningful, sustainable careers.”  

Creative Content OnDemand will guide participants through industry-standard techniques in editing, production, and on-set operations. “We’re excited to bring together our 30 years of experience in a major broadcast news market, and our work in film production, to build an 18-week cohort curriculum,” says James Ward of Creative Content OnDemand. “Our goal is to give students the practical tools and guidance they need to confidently pursue the film opportunities they’re aiming for, all within the subjects we teach.”  

Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to growing New Jersey’s film and digital media sector has expanded since the reinstatement of the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which helped attract hundreds of feature films, television series, and digital productions to the Garden State.  

The FRAME Program will open enrollment for its first cohort in early 2026.  

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lara Lipski —- Aspire Youth Development | Lara@aspireyouth.com | 609-353-3344 | aspireyouth.com  

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Aspire Youth Development
Aspire Youth Development empowers young people across South Jersey to build strong futures through education, career readiness, and life skills programs. Aspire connects young adults with mentorship, training, and career opportunities that help them gain confidence, purpose, and financial stability. Through partnerships with schools, employers, government, and community organizations, Aspire provides pathways for success—helping every young person realize their potential and achieve lasting independence.     

Creative Content OnDemand
Creative Content OnDemand, founded in 2008, is a full-service multimedia production agency specializing in film production, digital photography, social media management, and public relations across diverse industries. Committed to elevating brands through compelling visual storytelling and strategic communication, the company has been recognized for its award-winning documentaries and online talk show, as well as its owner’s personal achievements as an Emmy Award recipient and multi-time nominee in television news.  

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