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 Government > Departments > Youth and Workforce Services > Gang Prevention
Gang Prevention ProgramThe Gang Prevention Program was started in October of 1999 through a grant funded by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The program is designed to provide educational and awareness programs to Albany’s communities regarding youth gangs. The program has surpassed its goals of attracting the city’s youth and has swelled to over 700 kids as of July 1, 2005. Providing positive structured activities along with the necessary counseling, the GPP helps kids to handle the negative peer pressures they encounter on the streets and aids them in achieving their personal goals and dreams. Utilizing community resources that already exist along with providing numerous alternatives the GPP offers kids opportunities to realize their potential and build a positive foundation for the future. An example of some of the program highlights: - Providing tutors for city youths (ages 8 to 18) in need of assistance with their schoolwork. Tutoring over 140 children at various sites, tutors are provided by the College of St. Rose and SUNY at Albany, Hudson Valley Community College and numerous volunteers.
- Working with the Albany City School District to educate the staff and provide counseling for at-risk children. Held educational programs for 4th, 5th and 6th grade children at the following schools; Giffen Elementary, School #16, School #18, School #20 and School #26. Also at middle schools: Philip Livingston Magnet Academy and Hackett Middle School along with alternative schools MAPS/TOPS, A.E.S.P.P., New Covenant Charter School and the Sunshine School. Worked with Albany Police D.A.R.E. officer to present program on youth gangs to middle school children. Provided programs for health classes at Albany High School and Harriet Gibbons high School, grades 9 to 12. Also worked with numerous school districts in New Jersey and throughout New York State.
- Presented gang awareness seminars to administration and staff at the following schools: School #18, School #16, School #20, School #26, School #27, Philip Scuyler Elementary, Arbor Hill Elementary, Hackett Middle School, Livingston Middle School, Harriet Gibbons High School, Albany High School and the Albany Vocational Center. Presentations were also shown to the PTA organizations at Hackett and Philip Livingston, New Covenant Charter School, Parson’s, St. Anne’s Home for girls, along with Watervliet High School, Schenectady High School, Colonie High School, Colombia High School, the administration for the Lansingburgh, North and South Troy School Districts and the Passaic, New Jersey Board of Education.
- Presented gang awareness seminars to the numerous agencies, including: St. Peters Ambulatory Services, the Albany County Health Department, Albany County Mental Health Department, Parsons School, LaSalle School, The Charleton School in Saratoga, St.Annes Group Home, CDTA, Project Equinox, Project Strive, Albany Social Services Department, the New York State Police, the Albany County Probation Department, the Schenectady County Probation Department, Community Maternity Services, NYS Children and Family Services, Albany Citizens Council on Alcoholism and Other Chemical Dependencies, St. Catherine’s Pastoral Center, F.I.R.S.T. Program, Hope House, the NYS Attorney Generals Office, the NYS Counselors Association, the Center for Dispute Resolution, the Schenectady Carver Community Center, the New York State Higher Education Department, St. Peter’s S.P.A.R.K. program, the Albany County Secure Detention Facility, the Whitney Young Health Center, the OASIS Program, the NYS EAP, Northeast Planning, the RPI College Department of Safety, CDPC Outreach, the City of Albany Department of Youth and Recreation Services along with various neighborhood associations throughout the city of Albany.
- Provide monthly prison trips with students to Greene Correctional Facility and Fishkill Correctional Facility for the Youth Assistance Program. This program first involved fifteen Harriet Gibbons High School students who voluntarily sign-up for the program each month. The program has since attracted the attention of over 125 students to date. The program has been expanded to include the TOPS/MAPS programs and Livingston Magnet Academy, on the request of the Administrators.
The program, entitled “Choices”, then exposes the youth to a positive setting, usually a college/university visit. - In conjunction with the Albany City School District and the Albany Police Department, the GPP offers, Gang Awareness for Parents (GAP). This program is presented every third Tuesday of each month at the Albany High School Auditorium. There has been great feedback from the parents that have attended and area agencies have been sending their employees to help educate them on gang awareness. The GAP has recently begun to bring the presentations to different parent organizations in order to reach the maximum number of parents possible.
- The GPP has worked together with the Boys and Girls Clubs to offer youth's after-school activities such as basketball, tutoring, art programs and more. The turnouts have been great and the clubs are reaching out to the older teens to get them involved in positive activities. Future plans are being discussed to assist the Boys and Girls Club in starting Gang Prevention programs at the club sites.
- The YMCA of Albany has teamed up with the GPP to open their facility on Saturday evenings to offer teens FREE use of the building. The program is called “TEENS LOOKIN’ OUT”. The program started in May of 2000 and has attracted over 2500 kids since. Basketball, swimming, weight-lifting programs, dance classes, peer groups, cooking classes, and guest speakers are just some of the programs that are offered. The building will be closed to all except for teens. The GPP attracts the teens and educational programs combined with recreational programs will keep them busy in a positive environment.
- Partnered with the Albany Housing Authority to initiate a Youth Stipend Program. This after school program will involve 40 to 50 fourteen and fifteen year-olds who live in the Ezra Prentiss Housing complex on South Pearl St. and the Whalen Homes in Arbor Hill. The aspects of the program include: community beautification projects, TV production and a community newsletter. The children are paid $40 a week to be involved and gain valuable skills and education that will help prepare them for the future. The GPP teamed with the College of St. Rose Audio/Visual Department to produce the video/newsletter portion.
- Assisting and providing daily counseling to area youth facilities such as LaSalle, St. Anne’s, Vanderhyden, Samaritan Shelters, Berkshire OCFS and Parsons. Helping train counselors and social workers on recognizing and intervening gang activity within their facilities.
- Partnered with Mercy Care Corporation to provide jobs for teens at area nursing homes. Villa Marie, St. Peter’s Hospital, and Our Lady of Mercy Nursing Homes all employ kids currently involved with the GPP.
- Working with area mentorship programs (JUMP program provided by Catholic Charities of Albany) to get youth involved with positive role models. Also working with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, SUNY Fraternity/Sorority mentors, and Young Life organization.
- Working with the Boy Scouts of America to start “inner city” scout troops at locations citywide. Involving children from various schools and community centers.
- The GPP has provided educational programs for a number of after-school/Church programs such as the SUNY Liberty Partnership Program, Girl’s Lets Talk, and the Boy’s and Girls Clubs of America. Also for summer youth programs at the Star of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Day Camp, the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and the Glenmont Job Corps
Contact Information
Department of Youth and Workforce Services
175 Central Avenue
Albany, New York 12206
Phone: (518) 434-5723
New York State Gang Prevention website
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