Rock Island G.R.E.A.T. 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 Rock Island Housing Authority (RIHA) serves low-income families living in the City of Rock Island. RIHA will administer the G.R.E.A.T. Program to improve the lives of residents, children, and the community as a whole. RIHA is partnering with the Rock Island Police Department (RIPD), Rock Island School District #41 (District #41), and the Martin Luther King Community Center (King Center). RIHA and its partners will be implementing the Middle School, Elementary School, and Summer components of the G.R.E.A.T. Program. Approximately 120 students in the fourth and fifth grades will participate in the Elementary School component and the Middle School curriculum will be taught to an estimated 180 students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The summer program is expected to serve about 140 youth.

CA/NCF