N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:24-2

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the ranks of the youthful unemployed swell manyfold during summer recess of public schools; that many of the young people who constitute the youthful unemployed are, by reason of family income and social condition, disadvantaged youth; that many of those disadvantaged youth are desirous and capable of successfully discharging summer employment if such employment opportunities were available to them; that throughout this State numerous public and private, nonprofit agencies and organizations have need of the services of such disadvantaged youth; that affirmative action by the State of New Jersey is required to make the services of such disadvantaged youth available to such agencies and organizations; and that the expenditure of public funds for these purposes is in the public interest and is for a public purpose.