The Gary Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Project Outreach and Prevention (POP), Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will in honor of National Safe Schools Week host a Gun Safety Rally including an All-Star basketball game Saturday, October 22nd from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. with Project Swish from Chicago.
We will also be gathering 1,500 student leaders from Gary West Side, Merrillville, Hammond Central and East Chicago Central who have committed to attend this event. Many other students will also be encouraged to attend.
Important to note is that there will be a Gun Turn-in Program organized in conjunction with Police Departments from Gary, Merrillville, East Chicago and Hammond on Friday, October 28th & 29th from 1:00 - 6:00 pm. In addition to ridding our streets of deadly weapons, added incentives to do so will include raffles for premium seat Chicago Bulls tickets, $1,000 in cash, Business Gift Cards, Gas Cards, Grocery Cards, Restaurant Cards and other prizes.
We will have various motivational speakers who include Dr. Michael McGee founder of POP, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Agents, Anti-Bullying, and the founder of Swish who will keynote and present on the topics of mental health and violence prevention.
We invite you to come out, support, help sponsor prizes and otherwise show your support to help us help our students and communities here in Northwest Indiana. As a part of your donation(s) your business can be highlighted during our massive media blitz beginning this week consisting of Print, Television, P.S.A’s on 106.3 FM, Gospel 102.3 and on Power 92. This may be the most comprehensive outreach of its kind here in the region. We encourage you to take part. The kids are counting on it!
Northwest Indiana Federal OJJDP Grant: Evidence-Based
A Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), Inc. and Project Outreach & Prevention (POP), LLC, are excited to announce that we were awarded the Federal OJJDP Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) grant. This 3-year YVP grant will allow us to reach Lake County youth, families, and communities with programs/resources that will make a positive impact upon their lives by reducing violence behaviors.
The (YVP) Initiative will serve 6 urban high schools in 4 NWI communities with high rates of juvenile crime, low graduation rates, truancy and other economic risk factors. Two evidenced-based programs (Botvin Lifeskills Training and SAVE Promise Programs) will be implemented in grades 9-12 and supplemental programming will be provided for youth and families exposed to violence.
Here is a brief overview of the initiative:
• Botvin LifeSkills Training for High School youth: This program will be offered to high schools in communities that have been adversely affected by youth violence including East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, etc.
o The LifeSkills Training High School program is an integrated approach that helps to develop personal, interpersonal, and drug resistance skills. The curriculum is designed to strengthen student abilities in the following areas:
§ l Self-Management Skills: Students develop strategies for making healthy decisions, reducing stress, managing anger, as well as, conflict resolution skills.
§ General Social Skills: Students strengthen their communication skills and learn how to build healthy relationships.
§ Drug Resistance Skills: Students understand the consequences of substance use, risk-taking, and the negative influences of social media.
• Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Chapters in all 4 high schools for each grade: This is a student peer-led program that strives to decrease violence and risky behaviors while enhancing Social Emotional Learning (SEL). The goal is to raise awareness and to educate students, school staff parents and the public on effective ways to prevent or reduce youth violence.
o Monthly Youth Advisory Council meetings with Youth Law Enforcement Council
• Support Groups: Bi-monthly meetings that support youth affected by violence * Provide training on healthy coping skills, communication, & conflict resolution skills
• Annual National Youth Violence Prevention Leadership Summit/Rally
• Gun Turn-in & Safety Program, Community Outreach & Engagement Events: Code Blue – Interactive Stop The Bleed Training & CPR Training session with Area Law Enforcement * Community Advisory Board * Community Forums * Community Town Hall Meetings
Outcome Measures: 1 year Post Program Completion
• Decrease: Juvenile delinquency, violence, bullying, interschool fights, and gang involvement
• Increase: Increase social emotional learning, positive mental health, development and school performance. Improve relationship with law enforcement. Increase career paths