NCJ Number
67616
Date Published
1979
Length
73 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT DETAILS THE SECOND YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AN ALABAMA JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROJECT WHICH PROVIDED CLUB ACTIVITIES FOR RURAL YOUTH WHO WERE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND BETWEEN 8 AND 18 YEARS OLD.
Abstract
THE TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM (YSP) UNDERWENT A MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANIZATION TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND INCREASE LINKAGES WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM WAS SUBJECTED TO A NATIONAL EVALUATION TO OBTAIN DATA ON SUCCESSFUL DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMMING. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM AN INTERNAL EVALUATION WHICH SURVEYED INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY THE PROGRAM INDICATED THAT IT WAS EFFECTIVE. DURING THE SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION, THE YSP OPENED ITS NINTH CENTER. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED A WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING PROJECTS FOR STAFF, YOUTH, VOLUNTEERS, AND CITIZENS IN EACH TARGET COMMUNITY. ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP ABILITIES AMONG YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS INCLUDED A CONGRESS FOR CLUB OFFICERS, WORK EXPERIENCES FOR SELECTED YOUTHS, AND A SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM. A MONTHLY NEWSPAPER PROVIDED ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. PARENT PARTICIPATION INCREASED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO IMPROVE PARENTING SKILLS, A MONTHLY PARENT NEWSLETTER, AND A PARENT CORNER IN THE YOUTH CLUB NEWSPAPER. THE YSP ALSO EXPANDED ITS TUTORIAL PROGRAM TO INCLUDE BOOK REVIEWS, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE. MEMBERSHIP IN THE YOUTH CLUBS INCREASED FROM 1,232 TO 1,667 DURING THE SECOND YEAR. PROVIDING A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES FOR CLUB MEMBERS CONTINUED TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO INVOLVE YOUTHS IN THE YSP. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED GIRLS SOFTBALL, LITTLE LEAGUE FRANCHISES, A SUMMER DAY CAMP FEATURING SWIMMING AND TENNIS, AND FIELD TRIPS TO HISTORICAL SITES AND MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA MUSEUMS. THE YSP EXPOSED YOUTHS TO A VARIETY OF CAREERS THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND FIELD TRIPS AND LOCATED IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT FOR THEM. A MEDIA CENTER WAS DEVELOPED TO DOCUMENT THE PROGRAM'S PROGRESS. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A SUMMARY OF CLIENT DATA, TIME CHARTS ILLUSTRATING ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OBJECTIVES, AN EQUIPMENT LIST, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ON YSP, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND THE YOUTH CLUB NEWSPAPER. (MJM)