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| YLA Works to Prevent Gangs |
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Newark, NJ (June 30, 2006) -- Urban Tech’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is a major ingredient in an $80,000 grant for anti-gang funding awarded by the United States Department of Justice to the Metropolitan Studies unit at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, academic organizations that have teamed up with North Carolina’s Western District Project Safe Neighborhood task force. Urban Tech will contribute 10 YLA modules, 3 Computer Skills modules, and on-site instructor training to the Charlotte PSN site. In addition to YLA, the major activities involved in the PSN anti-gang strategy include program and strategy evaluations, faith based mentors, community and youth gang awareness education, and the Youth Voice Documentary on Gangs. The UNC Charlotte team has collaborated with Urban Tech because the PSN initiative concentrates on prevention and early intervention programs, and research shows that preventing increases in gang membership and violent and criminal behavior must begin when there are early indications of anti-social and aggressive behavior in schools and the community. YLA offers youth the life skills that they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. It is designed to help develop and belief system and set of values that inspire positive relationships and less risky behavior among our youth. Through experiential activities, participants learn to assess risks and make decisions that lead to pro-social and productive lives. YLA empowers youngsters by providing employment and life skills to become productive, self-fulfilled and achievement-oriented adults and community leaders. To date, YLA has also been used successfully in gang prevention programs at three sites in Milwaukee, WI. |