Crime Prevention Programs

Crime Prevention Programs

The overpopulation in our prisons today is primarily due to the increasing numbers of non-violent drug offenders being placed there. If we can see that this is indeed the problem, why don't we do something about it? Why don't we take most of the non-violent drug offenders and place them in rehabilitation clinics, make them go through a lengthy process, and see what results from this? This would more than likely clean up their addiction and help them find a steady job so that they wouldn't have to get back into drugs. And after they get out, authorities could place them on a PINS or probation program and further watch them for a few years. My question to all this: why are we not trying to stop all this from happening in the first place?

Over the past decade we have seen an increasing number of recreational organizations going up all over the world. These facilities are aware of our growing populations in jails and prisons and are constructing these buildings to not only benefit part of the community, but the community as a whole. More and more teens are taking notice to the facilities and using them whenever they get the chance. For about six dollars a day you can enjoy endless entertainment with pools, spas, basketball, racquetball, batting cages, weight room, running on the track, etc. It is programs like these that are slowly making a difference in the communities.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America are among the top facilities on the list. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life. National programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics. By commending students on their accomplishments and allowing them to meet important worldly figures, this club has certainly had a large success rate. Their impressive state Youths of the Year Awards are chosen for outstanding contributions to Club, community, and family. Each state Youth of the Year competes regionally. Regional winners then vie for the title of National Youth of the Year, who is installed by the President of the United States (Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 2007). By doing this, these students can realize that they can accomplish most anything and do not need to resort to drugs and violence.

Throughout the world there are 2,617 YMCA's, making this the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America, working to meet the health and human service needs of 20.2 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the United States. YMCAs are at the heart of community life across the country: 42 million families and 72 million households are located within three miles of a YMCA (YMCA, 2007). Because of their non-profit services and unique locations around the world, 20.1 million members have joined these clubs, 9.5 million of which are under the age of 18. Thousands of Y's work with local elementary, middle, and high schools, hospitals, and churches to promote child care and teen leadreship and provides services that they may need. So many kids today are starting down the wrong paths in life at eairlier ages. The fact the children are being left alone and unattended at their homes between the hours that they get out of school until their parents get home is not helping the matter. Kids are often taking advantage of the situation and doing whatever they want. If this continues to happen for some time before they get caught, they might not stop when asked to. Luck for us, YMCA's are the largest providers of childcare in the United States, operating nearly 10,000 childcare sites across the country, providing high-quality, and affordable care to more than 500,000 children. Y's also serve nearly 10 million children under the age of 18 through activities such as camping, sports, and afterschool programs. YMCAs are the largest employers of teenagers in the country (YMCA, 2007).

YMCA's nation wide even offer an After School Program. It is a safe and caring environment in your child's own school that is offered at school dismissal (including scheduled half days) until 6:00 PM and before school care begins at 7:00 AM until school begins. You can choose between 2-5 days a week and they also offer childcare on holidays and snow days. During this time your children participate in arts and crafts, games, gym activities, group activities, special events, and trips. Homework time and help is also provided, as well as an afternoon snack. And you don't have to worry about the type of people that are watching your kids because they are just as much qualified to work with children as are teachers. "Our staff members are selected from a wide range of applicants who undergo strict background checks, most of whom have been with us for several years" (2007).

This next organization is about taking the next step and preparing youth for their future involvement in the workforce. The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) was created in 1996 in order to consolidate resources and provide the City of New York with higher-quality, more efficient youth and family programming. Our central task is administering available city, state, and federal funds to strong and effective community-based organizations (NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, 2007). DYCD funds a wide range of innovative, practical and quality programs that positively impact youth and communities. These programs include but are not limited to: Runaway and Homeless Youth Outreach, Youth Workforce Development, Corporate Internships for Youth, Summer Youth Employment Program, and the nation's largest municipally funded Out-of-School Time initiative. It is programs like these that we need to see more of, programs that prepare young teens for success, sending them off on internships to meet well-known successful people. We need to raise their hopes and help them realize that their dreams can become reality.

Like the YMCA, the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) also has after school programs. With the increased number of parents entering the workforce, the need for expanded quality after-school services to support young people and their families is a must. The DYCD supports two major after-school initiatives: the Out-of-School Time Program and the Beacon Program. As I stated before, the Out-of-School Time (OST) Program is the largest after-school initiative in the nation. These free programs offer a balanced mix of academic support, sports, and recreational activities, the arts and cultural

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