Our
violence reduction and prevention strategies
encompass six major categories
2nd Chance is on the streets …
Counseling
Services,
in-group and one-on-one settings, one-on-one and group counseling
helps youth strengthen their resolve and cope with their problems.
|
2nd Chance counseled 738
individuals during fiscal year 03-04, experiencing a 84%
success rate. |
2nd Chance is in homes …
DEFY, Drug Education Program for Youth,
a group mentoring program designed to promote gang free and drug
free lifestyles. Outings, field trips, classes and workshops that
foster cooperation, team building and resistance skills are part
of this program.
2nd Chance is
at school …
School-based Violence Reduction Program
provides on-site counseling for any of the following: youth
at-risk of gang membership, youth involved in fights or
demonstrating aggressive behavior, truants or at-risk of academic
failure.
|
The staff member for this school program has
been instrumental in creating such a good relationship with
both students and administrators. The success at this high
school has led to offers of financial support from one other
middle school and another high school. Staff conducted gang
awareness presentations to approximately 750 elementary,
middle and high school students. |
2nd Chance is
there for the violent, aggressive, run-away or out of control
youth …
A
Tattoo Removal Assistance Program
provides youth and young adults removal of most gang-related
tattoos. There are several criteria and pre-requisites for
participation.
|
175 individuals were helped during fiscal
year 03-04 to remove their gang related tattoos. It is a
lengthy process and requires a strong commitment from the
client. Removal of tattoos has helped many clients acquire
employment and move on with their lives. |
2nd
Chance is beside worried, frantic, family members …
Parent and Community Education Workshops are designed to teach
parents typical pre-gang behavior and warning signs so they can
prevent their children from joining gangs. Help is provided to
gang involved youth to help them change their lifestyle. Staff
makes face-to-face contact with at-risk youth.
| Sandra
began to shadow Frank and decided that she too wanted to
help people. At school, she is no longer a negative role
model and in fact, students look up to her because of her
positive turn around. She no longer wears colors, her
grades are up, she wants to go to college and she has been
clean and sober for the last four months. She is better
able to interact and no longer feels the need for violence
to resolve her problems. She is at the stage of “fading
out,” the stage at which a gang member gradually pulls
him/herself out of the gang lifestyle. |
2nd Chance supports
community, educational and religious organizations who care for
our youth …
Jazz-Up
Program works in partnership with the Salinas Redevelopment
Agency and provides low-income residents assistance while
providing an outlets for those youth mandated to perform community
service hours as a condition of courts, school or probation.
On-site supervisors teach youth basic painting and construction
skills.
