Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2007, $38,000)
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 Newark Police Department will use the 2007 G.R.E.A.T. funding to: prevent youth crime, violence and gang involvement among school-aged youth by reducing the precursor attitudes, changing the misconceptions of gang life and educating the youth on behaviors associated with the criminal lifestyle; create safer schools and communities by building a positive and proactive relationship with law enforcement, families, school staff and young people; increase the number of students who have the opportunity to gain a positive perception of law enforcement; and strengthen families through inviting parents/guardians to be involved in their student's lives. A total of 582 fourth graders, 536 fifth graders, and 546 seventh graders will participate in the the G.R.E.A.T. program.
CA/NCF