Children need to be offered guidance and resources if we want them to become productive, contributing adults. More importantly, young people can't be expected to worry about the future unless they believe they have a stake in that future. The justice system is unlikely to give them that stake.

Stopping crime before it starts is a community affair. Community agencies play an essential role in crime prevention by addressing social needs like housing, school, substance abuse, and mental and physical health that lie outside the scope of the justice system. Funding for prevention is by no means stable and many community organizations are forced to compete with each other for local, state or federal grants. Many service organizations are realizing that by building coalitions they can pool resources in order to tackle the vast array of issues that face today's youth at-risk.

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S LIONS CLUB

Video Introduction: "This group of high-risk students meets regularly with a trained counselor to discuss how to cope with the violent environment that surround them."

Located in a low-income, high violence neighborhood where it is often difficult to keep kids in school, Lincoln Elementary has taken special measures to address social needs while giving its students a good education. In collaboration with community based organizations, Lincoln hires outreach workers who go beyond the school walls and into the community to work closely with families and children. If a child misses school, the outreach worker will pay a home visit to the family to find out why and see whether the school can help solve their problem.

The role of schools in crime prevention is essential. In many cases, the school offers the only safe and stable environment in a child's life. Many of Lincoln Elementary's students lack basic needs like housing, food, and clothing. To tackle the variety of problems, Lincoln Elementary has become part of a larger collaboration of community organizations in Richmond that pool resources and share information. The school acts as a "community center" through which children can get all of their basic needs met. Outreach workers from the local organizations act as liaisons between the school and the services.

Because the hours after school are known to be the most dangerous for children, Lincoln offers its students a variety of after-school activities to keep them safe and positively engaged. All staff members at Lincoln are trained in conflict mediation, so when trouble arises on the school grounds, children can be taught that violence is not the only way to handle conflict. This is especially important for younger children in families where older brothers are already involved in gangs, or domestic violence between parents is common.

Contact:
Marco Gonzalez, Former Principal
Cesar Chavez Elementary School
960 17th Street
Richmond, CA 94801
(510) 412-5081
(510) 412-3353 Fax

THE STREETWORKERS PROGRAM

Video Introduction: "Boston's streetworkers program employs people from the local community--many of whom are former gang members themselves--to mentor youth and act as liaisons between the youth and the city's justice system."

Employed by the Mayor's Office, the Streetworkers--who are often former gang members--act as liaisons between the youth in Boston's tough neighborhoods and its justice system. By appearing on the behalf of youth in courts, Streetworkers help judges fully understand the situation in which youth crime is committed. In effect, the Streetworkers offer benefits both to judges and to the accused and their families. They are mentors and advocates who represent the interests of the youth, while helping law enforcement and the courts keep the peace in the streets. They give judges the added confidence that youth will receive supervision and comply with school and curfew orders.

Contact:
Tracy Litthcut, Director of Youth Services
Boston Community Center
1010 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 635-4920