South Carolina Team Focus Mentoring Program

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

Team Focus, Inc. will use the grant funds to provide mentoring services for at-risk fatherless boys and young men, ages 10-18. Team Focus, Inc. will attempt to target young males from female headed households living below the poverty level in the Columbia and South Carolina area. The program proposes to reduce the number of young males entering the juvenile justice system by providing positive male role models and using a gender-specific three-prong mentoring approach, consisting of leadership camps, multi-faceted educational centers/academic support, and a network of year-round support services and activities.

NCA/NCF