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ARISE as a Gang Prevention Program
ARISE as a Gang Prevention Program |
Gang activity is a significant problem in society. According to the National Youth Gang Center (NYGC) an estimated 24,500 gangs were active in the United States in 2000 with more than 772,500 members.[1] Teen gang members are much more likely than other teens to commit violent and serious crime. Research conducted in Denver found that while only 14% of teens were gang members, they were responsible for committing 89% of serious violent crimes.[2]
There are a variety of reasons that teens join gangs. Some are looking for prestige and excitement. Others are looking for income, protection, or a sense of belonging.[3] There are also factors that help protect youth from joining gangs. Youth that use their free time in positive ways are more resistant to joining gangs. After-school programs, sports, and the like give youth a sense of purpose, relieve boredom, and give them connections with others.[4] |
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According to a 2007 report by the Justice Policy Institute, the success of gang intervention programs is based on extensive social resources - job training, mentoring, after-school activities, recreational programs, and not solely on a reliance on police enforcement. Because of the socially-based gang prevention programs active in New York City, for example, New York police reported 520 gang-related crimes in 2005 as opposed to 11,402 gang-related crimes in the same year in Los Angeles, a city where gang prevention is heavily focused on law enforcement-driven gang-suppression.[5] |
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Given the trends in gang violence and youth gangs today, ARISE approaches gang prevention in multiple ways. First, ARISE has developed life-skill curricula with over 260 practical life-skill lessons, such as anger and conflict management, the importance of a staying in school, finding and keeping a job, self-esteem, healthy living, graffiti avoidance and more. These lessons contain vital information youth need to make healthy choices in their lives. Armed with this practical knowledge, youth will be better able to resist recruitment into gangs. Youth will learn how to find legitimate employment and how to resist drugs, guns, and conflict. Each lesson contains all the needed background information on the topic as well as multiple engaging, fun activities. |
ARISE recognizes that it is important to help youth before gangs solicit them. ARISE has a number of materials available to reach youth of all ages. The curricula have been specifically designed to be age appropriate. We have many different materials available for pre-K, K-grade 1, grades 2-3, grades 4-5, middle school, and teen/young adult. It is never too early or too late to start a gang prevention program. |
ARISE not only provides valuable life-skill lessons, but we train instructors to effectively teach the material and serve as mentors to troubled youth. ARISE provides staff training for those working directly with at-risk youth in various settings (after school programs, secure facilities, churches, etc.). We offer onsite instruction to the staff in how to use the ARISE curriculum and instructional ARISE formula in order to receive the maximum benefits from the curriculum. The one-day intensive (7 hours) Life-Management Skills Instructor Training will instruct your staff on how to use the ARISE curriculum to the fullest. Among other things, trainees will learn how to manage difficult students, effectively run group activities, and successfully lead group discussions and brainstorming.
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The ARISE groups resulting from the combination of ARISE lessons and certified instructors provides the most powerful prevention to gang involvement. It is within these groups with the facilitation of the instructor that the magic happens. Not only are the youth exposed to vital information in an interesting and interactive way, but they also get to bond with instructors and other youth in the group. Youth are given the opportunity to share their feelings and experiences, as well as learn from their peers. The groups form a connection of caring and respect. The youth feel valued, understood, and listened to in ways that are often lacking at school and at home. They are given the sense of belonging they need to avoid gang involvement.
ARISE is one of a kind. It is the only known program designed to reach at-risk youth and juvenile offenders with reading difficulties at all ages and provide a comprehensive set of necessary life-skills. The ARISE program is perfect for people looking for a structured program to implement in a gang prevention program. The lessons are also easily added to after school programs, church programs, or any other organization that would like to prevent gang recruitment.
In addition to the ARISE curricula and training, ARISE also offers another program for gang prevention that can be implemented in any community called Grab a Future. For more information on this program, check out the Grab a Future page.
Please take a minute to view our powerful gang prevention short story entitled "Diamond in the Rough."
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| ARISE Curricula that Address Gang Risk and Protection Factors |
The following curricula are recommended for those specifically looking to establish a gang prevention program.
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| Teen and Pre-Teen Gang Prevention Curricula |
| Elementary School Gang Prevention Curricula |
ARISE Little by Little Pre-K Series
Book 1: Me and My World
Book 2: Keeping Me Safe and Healthy
Book 3: Characters, Ethics, and Emotions
ARISE Little by Little K-Grade 1 Series
Book 1: My Character and Ethics
Book 2: All About Me
Book 3: Safety All Around
Book 4: Art Activities and Puppet Plays
ARISE Life Skills for Young Folks For Grade 2-3 Series
Volume 1
Volume 2
Learner's workbooks also available.
ARISE Big Kids Book of Life Lessons for Grades 4-5 Series
Volume 1
Volume 2
Learner's workbooks also available.
ARISE Child Safety Event Weeks: Grades 3-5
Volume 1
Volume 2
Kids Alert: Instructor's Manual
Learner's workbook also available.
Big ARISE Safety Book/'El Gran Libro de Seguridad de ARISE
Footnotes
[1] Egley, A. (2000). Highlights of the 1999 National Youth Gang Survey. OJJDP Fact Sheet. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
[2] Huizinga, D. (1997). The volume of crime by gang and nongang members. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, San Diego DS.
[3] Howell. J.C. (1998). Youth Gangs: An Overview. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention..
[4] The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center website, "Youth Gangs," retrieved March 7, 2007, from http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/gangs.asp
[5] Jackman, Tom, (2007) "Social Programs to Combat Gangs Seen as More Effective Than Police," Washington Post, July 18, 2007. For the full Justice Policy Institute report, go to their website at http://www.justicepolicy.org |
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