Introduction
Gang violence is an acute issue that exists not only in developing countries but in developed nations as well. This kind of problem leads to many casualties annually, resulting in deaths and violence-related emotional and physical traumas. Among the most targeted individuals in the gangs are adolescents, who are generally exploited by criminals. As a result, authorities constantly monitor the situation and crime prevalence. However, the government is not the only entity that participates in mitigating the incidence of gang violence. Many nonprofit organizations create programs that strive to provide help to vulnerable communities, offering emotional support and education on gang danger.
Discussion
The program that is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is the South Houston Victims of Gang Violence Support Project. This is a gang prevention and intervention initiative that is focused on the local area. Along with providing assistance to gang crime survivors, the program organizes interdisciplinary teams to monitor gang activity (OJJDP, n.d.). It additionally encourages governmental cooperation, creates policies, and engages the public in outreach and training to confront gang violence and assault in Houston, Texas (OJJDP, n.d.). According to Patricia Harrington, stakeholders in the city of Houston’s Department of Neighborhoods, there are numerous sufferers from juvenile gangs (OJJDP, n.d.). This involves those who are affected as a result of the gang’s acts, as well as children who are recruited into crime syndicates only to be exploited. As Harrington mentioned, “understanding their victimization is key to successfully helping them leave that life behind” (OJJDP, n.d., para.3). Therefore, programs introduced by OJJDP have holistic approaches with proactive measures and survivor support.
Many of the measures of the program work effectively and collaborate with other institutions. For instance, the South Houston Victims of Gang Violence Support Project will be coordinated by the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office (MAGO) of the City of Houston (OJJDP, 2019). To combat gang violence in the city, MAGO employs a community-based preventive and intervention strategy that encompasses initiatives for adolescents that provide direct services, communication and community education initiatives, institution cooperation, and policy creation (OJJDP, 2019). Crisis intervention, public speaking, and training sessions, organizing multidisciplinary teams to monitor gang violence, conducting incident management, and sponsoring community activities and events are just a few of the specific tasks that work effectively (OJJDP, 2019). By incorporating services to assist victims of gang crime, such as setting up an advisory panel, completing a need analysis, establishing a system of victim services, and offering education and care, this plan improves MAGO’s current approach. However, when it comes to the parts that might not work, this might involve the employment of more individuals in the team, which is linked to funding. Since many programs are based on grants and funding, this can impede progress.
Conclusion
Hence, numerous non-profit organizations develop initiatives that aim to aid marginalized populations by providing them with emotional support and information about the dangers of gangs. The South Houston Victims of Gang Violence Support Project is a project supported by the OJJDP. A few of the specific tasks that are successful include crisis intervention, public speaking, and training sessions, setting up multidisciplinary teams to monitor gang activity, managing incidents, and supporting neighborhood activities and events. However, when it comes to the tasks that might not perform well, this may need the hiring of more team members, which is related to financial opportunities. Progress may be hampered since many initiatives depend on grants and money.
References
OJJDP. (n.d.). Gang violence prevention. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Web.
OJJDP. (2019). South Houston victims of gang violence support project. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Web.