Center for Community Organizing and Youth Programs

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).

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) seeks funding for a program of formation for youth, with the goal of rebuilding the South Bronx community and molding leaders through a holistic approach. The project's objectives are to: 1) provide 45 in-school students with tutoring and academic support services, such as homework help, SAT test preparation and help with college applications; 2) re-engage up to 15 out-of-school youth in small GED preparation classes with culturally relevant curriculum; and 3) provide youth with the skills necessary to analyze and organize against the injustices they see plaguing their community. Specifically, youth will participate in the Providing Education, Encouraging Restored Students (PEERS) campaign in an effort to urge schools to implement a discipline model that restores relationships, resolves conflicts, and keeps youth in school. Youth will also participate and lead campaigns to restore the health of the Bronx River, and other social and environmental campaigns. In order to measure success, the Education Coordinator tracks academic gains by collecting participants' report cards and by tracking the attendance and participation of members during workshops. NCA/NCF