NCJ Number
26965
Date Published
1972
Length
50 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRESS MADE IN THESE FOUR PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO FOSTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DISADVANTAGED YOUTH OF THE AREA AND SUCH COMMUNITY ELEMENTS AS SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND THE POLICE.
Abstract
THE FOUR PROGRAMS EVALUATED ARE THE STUDENT LEADERS AND ADMINISTRATORS PROGRAM, THE CAREER EXPOSURE PROGRAM, DIG-IT, AND THE POLICE-YOUTH RELATIONS PROGRAM. THE FIRST PROGRAM ATTEMPTED TO FACILITATE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION-MAKING IN THEIR SCHOOLS. THROUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TARGET SCHOOLS' ADMINISTRATORS AND A REVIEW OF PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS INCREASED COMMUNICATION AND LED TO GREATER INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL AFFAIRS. THE CAREER EXPOSURE PROGRAM, WHICH ATTEMPTED TO FOSTER BUSINESS CONTACTS AND PROVIDE A WORK-STUDY PROGRAM FOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SCHOOLS WAS FOUND TO BE STYMIED BY INEFFICIENCIES IN THE D.C. SCHOOL BUREAUCRACY AND BY CERTAIN LIMITATIONS IN ITS OWN CONCEPTUALIZATION. DIG-IT (DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION OF THE GHETTO THROUGH IMPROVISATIONAL THEATRE) IS A THEATER GROUP WHICH ATTEMPTS TO DEVELOP SKITS WHICH CONVEY TO THE WHITE WORLD WHAT BLACKS GO THROUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE BLACK. THIS PROGRAM WAS FOUND TO HAVE IMPROVED GREATLY, AND TO HAVE ACHIEVED ITS GOALS OF INCREASING AUDIENCE AWARENESS AND DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE IN GROUP MEMBERS. THE POLICE-YOUTH RELATIONS PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER POLICE AND INNER CITY YOUTHS IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS CLASS VISITS, A SQUAD CAR PROGRAM, AND A POLICE-YOUTH COUNCIL. THIS PROGRAM WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.