Reducing Gang Activity Through After School Programs

Tools

Story Published: Oct 6, 2008 at 10:08 PM PST

By Eileen Park

Ester Huey, Director of South East Community Center says, "We are trying to capture kids off the street when they are most vulnerable to commit negative activities and give them a safe supervised place to be until their parents come pick them up about 6oclock everyday."

Giving a safe haven for kids to play, learn, and grow is all it really takes to get them off the streets. This afterschool program at Hoover Elementary is one of several and it has gained new momentum...

$75,000 was awarded to Yakima Parks and Recreation to support after school programs like this - and so far, it's off to a great start.

When kids are playing, they have nothing else on their minds... and that makes all the difference from them brainstorming ways to do (this) *gun shot through a window*

Felisha Yu, an Americorp member says, "Well it starts here. And I wanted to do it because so many people you see them kind of - they've gone astray and you just - you know that when someone has come in when they were younger than maybe that could have been helped."

Since the launch of the program in 1991, Ester's seen an increase in students applying to college and staying off the streets. and who would've thought they came for homework!

I spoke with Alfredo Garcia, and 5th grader. "Alfredo, now tell me why you are in this program?
Alfredo: "Cuz they help you with your homework and have fun and play games."

A tried and true method, that is doing its little part in keeping the streets safe.

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