New Directions for Youth's CHALLENGE Project

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).

This program is a gang and delinquency prevention initiative for at-risk middle and high school youth. This program will provide youth with alternative tools for conflict resolution, violence and de-escalation. The short term impacts and goals include literacy, academic performance and job readiness. This program will work to improve family dynamics and parenting skills, while trying to reduce child abuse and neglect. This organization works with youth, ages 10-18. They will recruit and maintain 100 youth. They will create individual case plans, provide tutoring, counseling, and recreational activities. The program will measure the level of risk around gang involvement and violence and attitudes and behaviors. The objectives are to enrich lives, build self-esteem and strengthen the family unit. NCA/NCF