Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD)

The Louisiana Center Against Poverty, Juvenile and Crime Prevention /Intervention Program, Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD), focuses on conflict resolution, positive relationships, enhancing self-esteem and resilience, personal and life skills training, career development, sports, recreation, drug and alcohol abuse, and personal responsibilities. SOSAD seeks to deter crime and violence through education and activities. The program will serve: (a) low-income rural families, (b) juveniles in crisis and, (c) at-risk youth in five (5) of the high-risk parishes in northern Louisiana: Madison, Tensas, East Carroll, Ouachita and Richland. SOSAD targets youth grades 3-12, ages 8 to 18. It is designed to create community, faith-and school-based programs which will present age-appropriate diverse educational material to the participants in the target region. The project's strategies will be primary prevention--targeting youth not involved in crime and intervention strategies and targeting those engaged in risky behaviors. The program includes parenting classes and community involvement. SOSAD will serve 250 youth for one-year in weekly classroom sessions with weekend activities. Progress will be measured by the number of participants attending the classes; retention rates; number completing the life-skills training; participants behavioral and attitude changes; and number of participants who have not been incarcerated. NCA/NCF