Gang Prevention Leadership Initiative

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 City of Chesapeake proposes to implement the Gang Prevention Leadership Initiative an 18 month program, for 250 youth from ages 13 to 17. The program is designed to enhance strategies for youth to avoid gang affiliation and participation. The goal of the Gang Prevention Leadership Initiative involves a three-prong approach (1) Increase community awareness of gang activity, community impact and strategic approaches to address the issue; (2) Build conflict resolution strategies, leadership skills, self-esteem, and develop competencies that will assist youth in becoming well-adjusted, critically thinking, and self-sufficient adults; and (3) Involve youth as role models. Youth will learn conflict resolution strategies, and engage in community services, education and awareness, character and leadership skills, self-esteem, artistic welding and the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Program. Additionally, youth will plan, organize, and present at youth workshops and conferences on the issues of gangs. To measure the effectiveness of the program the City of Chesapeake will conduct both quantitative and qualitative data measurements to determine the effectiveness of the program components.

NCA/NCF