Proyecto Palabra - "Word of Honor" Project

OJJDP's State and Community Development (Invited) Awards program was established to provide grants and cooperative agreements to organizations that OJJDP has selected for funds in prior years. Through the Community-Based Violence Prevention Program (CBVP), OJJDP funds organizations working to reduce youth gun and gang violence through evidence-based models. These programs have been authorized by an Act appropriating funds for the Department of Justice.

The proposed project aims to reduce violence in Los Angeles communities through an innovative initiative that will focus on two of the city’s most active gangs -- MS-13 and 18th Street. As part of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development’s (GRYD) Comprehensive Strategy, which is based on the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model, Proyecto Palabra will create a specially trained “gang specific” intervention team with “palabra” (ability to exert influence) among the MS-13 and 18th Street relational networks. This specially trained team will be coordinated by the Mayor’s GRYD Office and use faith-based clergy and community intervention workers (CIWs) to provide gang intervention services in the Proyecto Palabra GRYD Areas. In addition, this project will increase the community’s awareness of the adverse effects of trauma and gang-related violence. Proyecto Palabra will focus on GRYD Areas throughout Los Angeles rather than just one GRYD Zone. CIWs will refer 40 clients to GRYD Case Managers to receive GRYD Family Case Management and gang tattoo removal services. Proyecto Palabra will establish cease fire agreements each year at three Summer Night Lights parks serving the Proyecto Palabra GRYD Areas. Funds will also be used to send a team of representatives to the OJJDP Youth Violence Prevention fall convening.

CA/NCF