Anti-Gang Initiative for at Risk Age Groups

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.

For the Town of Riverhead Youth Bureau, "Mentoring Matters: An Intergenerational Mentoring Model" represents an innovative, intergenerational approach to decreasing gang and youth violence within the town. The proposed concept involves a long term commitment from the Town. Mentoring Matters with the support of the Riverhead Police Department's Juvenile Aid Bureau Officer and Juvenile Aid Bureau Youth Counselor will identify a minimum of 20 students in grades 6,7, and 8 that have failing grades, have a high rate of in-school and out of school suspensions, and/or have had a contact with the juvenile justice system. On one level this intensive program will match at risk young people with supportive seniors who are often alone and lack contact with family members particularly grandchildren. Positive mentors will also include high school students, college students, and community members. Intergenerational teams will plan and work on projects that would include developing a community garden, providing helping hands to homebound seniors, and developing intergenerational cultural sharing groups that could result in artwork and literary works to be displayed at the Senior/Human Resource Center. This funding will enable the Town of Riverhead to address those young people at most risk for entering gangs with this intensive after school program. Of the 20 participants, a minimum of 65% will avoid contact with the Juvenile Aid Bureau during the time they are involved in the program. 100% of students in this program will complete an evidenced based- social skills program. 95% of the students in this program will show a decrease in in-school and out of school suspensions. 80% of students on probation when referred to the program will not violate their probation while in the program. Of the 20 students referred to the program, a minimum of 65% will complete the program.

NCA/NCF