Mentoring programs

The program involves the community through neighborhood meetings and potential gang members by direct contact through the school system. The plan has three elements. 

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First, neighborhood parent/community gang meetings are held. These meetings are educational and are designed to inform communities about the impact of gang membership on family members, typical pre-gang behavior, examples of gang activities, resources to discourage gang membership, and under-standing gang terminology and graffiti.

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The second part of the program involves a fifth - grade anti-gang curriculum designed to teach the negative aspects of gang activity. The program consists of books and videos. It stresses the prevention aspect of the problem and attempts to "deglorify" gangs.

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The third part of the program involves intermediate school follow-up. It reinforces and expands previous concepts taught at the elementary level. The Initiative  Gang Prevention Specialists project is a private, nonprofit community-based organization, to curb street gang violence and to prevent the recruitment of new gang members. It is another example of a local program and is funded in part by the State. The program stresses prevention through an education program on career paths/alternatives to gangs, a graffiti removal, and year-round employment program, sports, and gang awareness presentations.

 

To inspire all women to remain empowered, excel academically, aspire to be self-sufficient while being and having a mentor that will hold you accountable to live life with a purpose."Big Sister mentoring program helps promotes life skills, self-esteem, confidence, trust, and social appropriateness. We strive to make a positive and lasting impact in schools, and in communities for women of all ages.