Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Youth Development Program

The Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. G.R.E.A.T.'s violence prevention curriculum helps students develop values and practice behaviors that will assist them to avoid destructive activities. The G.R.E.A.T. program coordinates with federal, regional, state and local agencies, as well as individuals from community and civic groups. The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to train law enforcement officers in a school-based curriculum in which the officers provide instruction to school-aged children in life skill competencies, gang awareness, and anti-violence techniques. Training in the core G.R.E.A.T. program is provided to officers from any state or local law enforcement agency.

The City of Gulfport is the second largest city in the State of Mississippi. Within the past several years, the city has experienced a steady rise in the number of crimes committed by juveniles who are middle-school aged. The city's strategy is to eliminate the influence of gang membership and avoid potential for involvement in violence and illegal activities. The G.R.E.A.T. curriculum components will be provided to elementary and middle school students. The G.R.E.A.T. program will provide 140 youth from the North Gulfport and Central Gulfport communities, with character development skills that will promote positive behavior in the home, school, and community. The police department plans to continue tutoring students after school and supporting a variety of sports during Gulfport's Police Athletic League (PAL) camps and the G.R.E.A.T. summer and after school programs.

CA/NCF