Junior Aztec Fire Fuels program at the City of Los Angeles Cypress Park Youth and Family Center to divert youth ages 13-17 from the criminal justice system and gang affiliations

The City of Los Angeles Community Development Department' s Junior Aztec Fire Fuels program aims to divert youth from the criminal justice system and gang affiliations. The program provides intensive case management, mentoring relationships, organized counseling activities and a unique two-to-four week training module in fire-fighting and environmental care to 25 youth between the ages of 13-17. The Junior Aztec Fire Fuels program will provide structured activities to area youth at the City's Cypress Park Youth and Family Center (YFC). The goals of the program are for participants to: increase their commitment to education; define career objectives; exit the juvenile justice system; make healthy lifestyle changes, and reconnect with their families/communities. Measurable objectives include participant improvements in school attendance and grades, establishment of regular interactions with a mentor, and completion of 300 hours of work and community service experience. These measures will be reported to OJJDP in the grantee's Categorical Assistance Progress Reports.NCA/NCF