Gang Violence | Jackson County Combat, MO

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COMBAT-Supported Gang Violence Prevention Programs

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ArtsTech has secured funding to upgrade and expand our technology offerings. Youth pod casting, 3-D printing, CAD, Graphic Design using industry standard software, and other new in-demand studio experiences will be available to engage at-risk youth. In addition, ArtsTech is exploring ways to use the gallery space for youth development, anti-violence and healthy lifestyles training, as well as events to support the larger community, including COMBAT-funded agencies and youth throughout Jackson County. ArtsTech is proposing a multipronged approach to reducing-eliminating violence and substance abuse among our most troubled, at-risk youth. Using the evidence-based techniques identified by the CDC, ArtsTech seeks to prevent violence and accompanying substance abuse by providing strength-based strategies of youth development.
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DeLaSalle's Block37 program offers 220 at-risk high school students a safe space, positive adult role models and access to activities that promote positive social, emotional and educational outcomes for students. Our program gives students the protective factors they need to mitigate risky behaviors (e.g. violence, drug-alcohol use, cyber-bullying, etc.) and strengthens their engagement in school. Through internships provided on-site at DeLaSalle Education Center (DeLaSalle) and partner organizations, teens gain real work experience and learn new skills while earning an hourly stipend. Focus areas are arts; science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM); sports; communication; and entrepreneurship.
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High Aspirations (HA) is a Kansas City, Missouri, non-profit organization, providing a proactive mentoring program to address the social, emotional, academic and spiritual needs of Black males ages 8-18 in the city's urban core. Preventing negative behaviors including violence prevention continues is an essential organizational focus. A COMBAT funding supports key components of HA's leadership programming, delivering youth violence prevention messaging, supporting academic success, inspiring leadership and promoting service learning. HA's leadership program meets COMBAT's priorities: encouraging abstention from violence and negative influences. During 2023, HA will continue to grow in capacity by growing by one third and adding a Sunday 2-hour session raising its capacity to 210 mentees and adding additional interns, mentor's and mothers to encourage more men and young boys and literally strengthen their “High Aspirations.”
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The purpose of the Kansas City Truancy Court is to ensure that children between the ages of 7 and 17 are in school as mandated by law. The Truancy Intervention Program (TIP) is designed to improve the school attendance of youths who are referred to the program by their school districts and to empower parents and guardians who were cited for their children not attending school. With COMBAT grant funding, Kansas City Municipal Court can contract with a community agency to provide needed case management services to Truancy Court parents-guardians and their children. The Case Manager provides case management services, linkages, resources and follow-up services to the families who choose to participate in the program rather than receive an imposed sanction by the Truancy Court Judge.
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The Northeast Community Center's (NECC) five-building campus has been an anchor in Kansas City's Historic Northeast District for over 80 years, supporting families with connections to safety net services throughout the community. In 2015, NECC launched its flagship program for students K-12: Harmony Project KC (HPKC), the fifth affiliate of the evidence-based Harmony Project in Los Angeles. Our program has grown from 33 students in 2015 to 300 today. The goal of HPKC is to harness the transformative power of music through year-round music lessons, orchestral participation and mentorship, increasing access to higher education for underserved students by removing systemic barriers to achievement through academic and social support.
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The Urban Ranger Corps (URC) provides youth programming to boys and young men grades 7th-12th, ages 12 to 18, with a unique opportunity to develop the appropriate life skills necessary for them to become successful and contributing members of society. Since its inception, URC has worked to ensure that rangers are given the opportunity to become productive citizens by understanding the value of education, work and ethics. Enrichment classes have been held on drug and violence prevention, including alternative ways to deal with peer pressure relating to substance abuse, bullying and violence.
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Youth Ambassadors aims to prevent teen violence through specialized training courses in health and wellness, youth entrepreneurship, community development, life and job skills, and creative expression. Training courses occur in conjunction with an evidence-based social emotional learning curriculum, along with a specific focus on skills attainment and violence prevention. Ambassadors who master the curriculum are promoted to participate in community impact projects that include maintaining community gardens, leadership on community health projects such as the Teen Peace Summit, public art murals, and neighborhood clean-ups. Youth Ambassadors has two primary objectives that establish the framework for all services: 1) youth strengthen their cognitive coping and processing skills that promote social and emotional health and wellbeing; 2) youth become better prepared for future employment and educational opportunities through the development of skills that increase overall job readiness.
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