Greater Heights Youth Program

The OJJDP FY 09 Earmarks Programs further the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Explanatory Statement Regarding H.R. 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009), 155 Cong. Rec. H1653 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) (statement by Rep. Obey, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House).

The Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC) seeks funding for their Greater Heights Youth Program (GH). The grant will enable LPAC to engage 100 youth (ages 14-18) in reversing the trends of anti-social behavior, including violence, criminal activity, gang activity, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and non-employment. Greater Heights aims to achieve the following objectives for the 100 youth for the 2009-2010 year: 1) 50% will exercise leadership within organization and in external organizations; 2) 75% will manage their conflicts non-violently; 3) 67% will be literate in English; 4) 67% will meet or surpass academic performance standards; 5) 67% will improve their physical fitness and/or their arts ability; 6) 67% will be engaged in family life; 7) 50% will be active in community affairs; and 8) 40% will mentor their peers or younger individuals. In developing holistic youth servant leaders, Greater Heights engages youth in a 10-step Personal Development process. In monitoring the program, LPAC will observe the milestones that participants achieve as they progress through the Personal Development Matrix'. NCA/NCF