Parents are the first lines of defense in combating the gang problem. It is up the each parent to show the child that they are loved. It is not enough to simply say, "I love you." The child needs parental interaction to show him or her that you really do love him and you care about his welfare. Youths join gangs for a variety of reasons. Many join because they do not have, or do not feel like they have, a family life. A gang promises to give this feeling of "family" to the youth. Other youths join gangs due to peer pressure, excitement, money, or intimidation. Whatever the reason, a parent needs to recognize the identifiers and telltale signs of gang membership in order to make every possible attempt to keep the youth in, or return him to, his "real family."
Educators are equally important in shaping a child's life. Like the parents, an educator must show the child that they not only care about them as individuals, but also, about the future that lies ahead of each of them.
Schools should not allow gang clothing, colors, or gang signs and symbols to be worn or displayed on school grounds. "Zero tolerance" is a policy adopted by many school districts.
Classroom discussions about gangs are an excellent means to convey the proper message to the students. These discussions can lead to a real learning experience, not only for the students, but for the educator as well. Like the parents, the educator, without some knowledge as to how to identify gangs, will not recognize the signs of gang activity and therefore lose a valuable tool; a tool or aid that not only will assist in communications and interactions with the students, but with other educators, parents and law enforcement.
For more information on available training, click here
Tallahassee, Florida - An innovative approach to combating
gangs
The city of Tallahassee has launched Break Free, an interactive web site that
aims to educate, young people, parents, teachers and the community at large.
Click the web site picture to open the
web site
Another new helpful web site
Created by former gang members, the Crown of Life
Comics web site is about a group of Christians who are attempting to
reach out to gang members young and old. This site is well
organized and offers gang related articles, videos, forums and more.
Everyday, hundreds of our youths, who are not gang members, are confronted
by actual gang members who do everything they can to intimidate, coerce, or
intimidate the non-gang member into joining. Regardless of where you live,
these scenarios may be
taking place in your neighborhood, over and over each
day.
For further information relating to gangs and gangs members in the home or school, please click the links below.
With headquarters in Columbia, South
Carolina, the
Mission at Gang Out is to empower and enable children and families on how to escape "at-risk" behavior and gang life. We also seek to teach and educate local, state, and national stakeholders on Gang Education and Awareness by providing a look into "Recognizing and Preventing Gang Affiliations".
Our Program of Study is specific to the needs of the individual based on his/her particular interest and personal investment in self-change.
Life Impact is a leadership
and life skills program designed to prepare youth for a successful future. Life
impact is not your average youth development program. Seminars are planned with
organized lessons that come alive with stories, music, video clips, and other
visual aids that support the message.
Telephone: 803 269-9120
Gang Prevention -
Department of Youth and Workforce Services, Albany, NYT
The City of Albany's Department of Youth and Family
Services has successfully instituted a Gang Prevention Program (GPP)to work with
the city's "at risk youth" ages 9 to 15, who may be at risk of joining a gang.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA -1230 West
Peachtree, Atlanta, GA 30309; 404-815-5764; national headquarters gang
prevention through targeted outreach program.
BOYS TOWN NATIONAL HOTLINE - 800-448-3000
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE - 800-482-5964; to report child abuse or neglect.
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF PARENTS & TEACHERS - 700
Rush St., Chicago, Ill 60611; 312-670-6782
NATIONAL GRAFFITI INFORMATION NETWORK - P.O. Box 400, Hurricane, UT 84737;
801-635-0646
Remember: The time to talk to your child about the pitfalls of gangs and gang membership is when the child is sitting in his chair at the dinner table…Not when he is about to sit in the electric chair!!!
