G.A.M.E. Gang Awareness through Mentoring and Education

The OJJDP FY 10 Earmarks Program furthers 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 Conference Report to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117), H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 111-366 at 702-714.

Turning the Hearts Center (THC), located in San Diego County, introduces G.A.M.E., which stands for Gang Awareness through Mentoring and Education. G.A.M.E. is a comprehensive approach to gang prevention services for youths 12 - 17 years old and their families. G.A.M.E.'s primary mission is preventing teens from gang involvement. The program consists of five components: (1) weekly evidence-based structured group meetings, (2) group mentoring community service outings and field trips, (3) work readiness training, (4) tutoring and homework assistance, and (5) parenting classes for parents along with parent/youth conferences. G.A.M.E. creates a paradigm shift by 'turning the hearts' of gang-affiliated youth back to their families to lead to a new path promoting higher education, career advancement, and a stable family life environment. THC has experience working with local, state, and federally-funded evidence-based mentoring strategy projects focused on supporting high-risk youth. After the grant period, THC will continue to serve enrolled youth until success becomes their only option. THC will report performance measures to OJJDP such as the number of youth served and the number of families engaged in services. NCA/NCF