Thursday, September 10^th

Richmond Police Department Innovative Film Premieres

A packed house of area teenagers watched the premiere of "Stop the Pain 804" last night at the Byrd Theatre in Richmond.

The documentary was produced by film producer Craig Santy and Maj. John Venuti of the Richmond Police Department. It is part of an initiative designed for youths ages 10 to 18 and emphasizes the negative effects of violence, drugs and crime. Read More

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Check and Connect

Dropout Prevention Program for High School Students with Learning, Emotional, and/or Behavioral Disabilities

Check and Connect is a dropout prevention program for high school students with learning, emotional, and/or behavioral disabilities. Students typically enter the program in 9th grade, and are assigned a "monitor" (e.g. a graduate student, special education teacher, or community member with experience in human services), who works with them year–round as a mentor, advisor, and service coordinator. Read More

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The Face of Gang Recruits Is Changing

When 52–year–old Anna looks at baby pictures of her now 18–year–old twin sons, sadness and guilt overcome her.

"The feeling comes up, 'Where did I go wrong?' I have felt this plenty of times," she said.

Local school and law enforcement officials say it is a nagging question that more parents across Sumter County, the state and nation are asking themselves as they face the stark reality that their own children are not only gang members, but also that they are being recruited to join these violent, law–breaking groups at an alarmingly early age – 9 or 10. Read More

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Status of Ex–Offender Reentry Efforts In Cities

2009 Survey and Best Practice by The United States Conference of Mayors

Across the nation city governments are partnering with a wide range of public and private agencies in efforts to increase the likelihood that ex–offenders' reentry to their communities will be successful. Under the leadership of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, the Ex–Offender Task Force has examined programs that provide mentoring, job skill development, housing assistance, substance abuse counseling, health and mental health services – the myriad services needed to effectively combat recidivism. We also know that mayors are committed to assessing and reducing the barriers that exist in their own municipal regulations to hiring, promoting, and fairly compensating ex–offenders. Read More (PDF File)

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