YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth TRUCE Gang Prevention Program

YMCA TRUCE (Together Reaching Unity Concerning Everyone) is a research based curriculum implemented in after school programs, recreation centers, public housing and during school hours in 3 Fort Worth public schools and one alternative school. It is also implemented during the summer through a teen day camp program. TRUCE is a structured curriculum facilitated to 10-17 year old youth who have been identified as being 'at-risk' by school counselors/teachers, or youth who live in neighborhoods and communities where there is documented evidence of gang problems, high crime, high school drop out rates, high juvenile arrests related to alcohol and substance abuse, and a high percentage of teen pregnancy. The Southeast and Northside areas of Fort Worth are the primary focus for the TRUCE program starting in 2008. The goals of the program are:
to build leadership skills for all participating youth; provide positive adult mentors; give youth the skills to say No to negative peer pressure and influences; enhance education/academic development; enhance cultural and social awareness issues affecting teens (substance abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropouts, etc.); and provide the opportunity for youth to give back to their community through community service projects. Measuring the number of participants who complete at least 6 weeks of the program and those who complete a school year and the impact the program has on the participants social competence will provide the baseline data for the future referrals to the program. NCA/NCF