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Crime impacts negatively on property values, destabilizes
our homes and devastates the well-being of our community. Petty
crimes, often perpetuated by our youth include loitering, or writing
graffiti on public or private property. As petty as these acts appear
to be, they sometimes lead to more serious crimes. Today it is not
unheard of that our young people are being tried and convicted in
criminal courts as adults for crimes including murder and agravated
assault. Serious crimes such as murder can shake a suburban, middle-class
neighborhood.
Various prevention and intervention services are offered in some
communities by multi-service agencies for children and adolescents
who may be at risk of being caught-up in the criminal justice system.
For over three decades, the Yours Ours Mine Community Center Inc.
located at 152 Center Lane in Levittown has provided successful
programs that promote and implement positive development skills.
The Youth Guidance Project is one of these programs. It is a youth
directed program aimed at reducing the involvement of youth in the
criminal justice system.
Since its inception in March 2001, the Youth Guidance Project has
been successful in outreaching and servicing youth ages 7 to 15
who are at risk or presently involved in the criminal justice system.
Direct counseling, one-on-one tutorial assistance, job placement
services, leisure time activities, are just a few of the services
provided. Due to challenging times and the difficult economic and
social climate, federal, state, and county agencies have suffered
major setbacks in funding resulting in the termination of many programs.
The Youth Guidance Project was one of these programs that lost its
funding.
A dedicated team at YOM with years of experience managing successful
programs has persevered in securing funds for the Youth Guidance
Project. Through the generous support of the New York State Division
of Criminal Justice Services, the Youth Guidance Project is able
to provide an opportunity for youth ages 7 to 15, at-risk or involved
in the juvenile justice system. YOM's outreach includes promoting
programs in schools within the Levittown school district and to
participants in existing programs. The Youth Guidance Project provides
educational and vocational counseling, leisure time activities,
and participation in a community sensory garden built in partnership
with community youth, leaders, and parents/guardians of program
participants. The project's goal is to reduce the recidivist rate
of youth entering the juvenile justice system and recidivist rate
of those involved with the system by providing outreach, crisis
intervention, and court advocacy.
Project is serving Levittown, Hicksville, Westbury/ New Cassel
communities.
Interested families/youth in this youth-directed program can contact
Mr. Howard Villiers at 796-6633 ext. 258 or Mr. David Chan at 796-6633
ext. 270.
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