Gangs - Parents Guide for Preventing Gangs Gangs - Parents Guide We wish to thank Steve Nawojczyk, retired Pulaski County Coroner in Little Rock, Arkansas for his gracious permission to use the following information and The Nawojczyk Group, Inc. Post Office Box 1932 North Little Rock, Arkansas 72115 Telephone (501) 753-6270 Facsimile (501) 753-5296 E-mail gangwar@aristotle.net ATTENTION PARENTS: The following identifiers are for your use as a guidline only. Exercise caution in assuming that your child is involved in gang activity if one or more of the sighns are present. If one or more signs are present, communications with the child are crucial in determing the level, if any, of the child's involvement.WARNING SIGNSYou should be concerned if your child:admits to gang involvement; is obsessed with one particular color of clothing or shows a desire for a particular logo over and over; wears sagging pants (this in and of itself is not indicative of gang activity); wears excessive jewelry with distinctive designs and may wear it only on either the right or left side of the body; is obsessed with gangster-influenced music, videos and movies to the point of imitation; withdraws from family with an accompanying change in demeanor; associates with undesirables and breaks parental rules consistently; develops an unusual desire for privacy and secrecy and may completely rearrange living quarters to create more privacy; uses hand signs while with friends and practices them at home;Or there is evidence or the appearanceof:physical injury (such as being beaten) and then child lies about the events surrounding the injury; peculiar drawings or language on school books (may appear later as tattoos or brands); unexplained cash or goods, i.e., clothing and jewelry; or possible use of alcohol and drugs with attitude change.ADVISE YOUR CHILDREN THEY SHOULD NOT:associate with gang members or "wannabe/gonnabe" gang members; identify or communicate with gangs; hang out near or where gangs congregate; approach strangers in cars who appear to want information or directions; wear gang-related clothing where gangs are known to gather or traverse; wear initialed clothing such as BK - British Knights - a/k/a "Blood Killer" in high crime areas; use words like "Crab" or "Slob" (localized lingo may develop) anywhere gangs may be; i.e., malls, sporting events, etc.; attend any party or social event sponsored by gangs or their associates; take part in any graffiti activity or hang around where graffiti is present; or use any kind of finger or sign language in a public place.TIPS FOR PARENTSImpress upon your child the importance of school and good grades.Spend quality time with your children.Get involved in your child's school activities.Establish rules, set limits and be consistent, firm and fair in punishment.Encourage good study habits.Respect your child's feelings and attitudes and help them develop self-esteem.Watch closely for negative influences.Improve your own self-esteem so your children can model themselves after the most important "role model"... YOU.TIPS FOR PARENTS/EDUCATORSHelp children develop self-control.Help children deal appropriately with problems.Get involved in community oriented prevention and intervention programs. Urge others to become involved. Volunteer at your child's school. Gangs are a community problem and their influence does not stop at any particular boundary.Listen to your children. Communicate with them about their concerns and fears.CONFLICT RESOLUTION* A number of schools and school districts are attempting to reduce violence on their campuses by using conflict resolution programs. Programs have begun in New York City, Baltimore, Charlotte, N.C., Pittsburgh, East Lyme, New London, Town of Groton, CT and several other locations. Many places are incorporating peer mediation techniques as well. Some key elements of a conflict resolution programs include:Stating one's own feelings clearly, without being accusatoryNever interrupting or finishing another person's sentenceConcentrating on what is being said to you, rather than on your responseMaintaining eye contact with the other person, though this may very do to ethnic or cultural normsAsking questions to clarify what the other person is sayingRepeating the other person's ideas as you understand themNever putting anyone down*Partial source of information: NEA Action Sheet re: School ViolenceSTEVE RECOMMENDS ...BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ: Do or Die by Léon Bing; There are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz; My Posse Don't Do Homework by LouAnne Johnson; Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun by Geoffrey Canada; Monster by Monster Kody Scott; Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals VIDEOS YOU SHOULD SEE: Boyz In The Hood; Juice; The Grand Canyon; Dances With Wolves; South Central; Menace II Society; Blood In Blood Out; Fresh; Ain't No Denyin': Gangs & Violence in the 90's [CAUTION: THESE VIDEOS CONTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE] YOU SHOULD ORDER: GANGS IN SCHOOLS: Breaking Up is Hard to Do Published by National School Safety Center, 16830 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200, Encino, CA, 91436 (Pamphlets are $4.00 each) 1994 Summary Report, Arkansas Attorney General's Youth Gang Task Force; c/o Attorney General's Youth Gang Clearinghouse, 323 Center Street, Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-1323; (800) 482-8982 Jobs - A Way Out?, PBS Act Against Violence Campaign; Videotape is $22.95 (PA residents add 7% sales tax); To order: call (800) 274-1307 (Pittsburgh residents call (412) 622-1307); visit PBS's web site at http://www.pbs.org/jobs/order.html; or by writing WQED VIDEO, 4802 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213. "Gang Violence: Arkansas Responds", Produced by AETN, aired 8/4/94; AETN, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, AR 72032; (501) 682-2386 "The Killing Fields of America", Produced by CBS, Call 1-800-934-NEWS for videotape ($29.95 + shipping and handling); For a transcript, call 1-800-777-TEXT "What Can We Do About Violence?", Produced by PBS, Bill Moyers host, Call 1-800-336-1917; Post Office Box 2284, South Burlington, VT 05407 "Colors II" - Call or write Aurora Gang Task Force, c/o Aurora Regional Medical Center, 1501 South Potomac St., Aurora, CO 80012; (303) 695-2603 "Teaching Tolerance" packet - The Klanwatch Project, P.O. Box 548, Montgomery, AL 36101-0548 OTHER PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS THAT WORK After receiving unfavorable national attention in January 1993 when Little Rock, Arkansas surpassed New York and Los Angeles to become No. 1 in the nation for its number of homicides per capita, the stunned community subsequently mobilized to better the opportunities for at-risk youth. Programs were refined, and through individual, private, public and social agencies, tremendous strides have been made. The following are examples of those noteworthy programs. Let Our Violence End (L.O.V.E.). A non-profit organization that serves as a facilitator to network businesses, churches, schools, law enforcement and volunteers, assists communities in developing community-based approaches for the prevention of violence in the schools and community, and offers hands-on assistance in implementing those programs. Contact Robert Holt, Post Office Box 21408, Little Rock, AR 72221; (501) 228-4669. The Koban Project. A program established in a high-crime area in east Little Rock, funded by a grant from the Eisenhower Foundation and in collaboration with the City of Little Rock's community oriented policing program, the Koban Project serves its neighborhood by providing activities, tutoring and resources for the residents and children. Rev. William Rufus, Post Office Box 420, Little Rock, AR 72203; Tel: (501) 374-3440; Fax (501) 374-2080. Civilian Student Training Program (CSTP). A state-support program operated by the Arkansas National Guard for at-risk kids with measurable results. Contact Tom Copeland, Program Director, CSTP, P.O. Box 1-Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72199-9600; Tel: (501) 212-5364; Fax (501) 212-5369. Joseph Pfeifer Camp. A wilderness camp setting teaching at-risk kids life and survival skills. Contact Sanford Tollette, Executive Director, 5512 Ferndale Cutoff, Little Rock, AR 72211; (501) 821-3714. Watershed Human & Community Development Agency. A successful oasis in the heart of one of the most crime-ridden areas in metro Little Rock offering neighborhood support in the form of activities and tutoring. Contact Rev. Hezekiah Stewart, 3201 ConfederateBoulevard, Little Rock, AR 72206; (501) 378-0176. Friendly Chapel F.L.A.M.E. A church-based organization that operates a soup kitchen, housing for the homeless and many other self-help programs to improve the quality of life for the residents and children in their neighborhood. Contact Brother Paul Holderfield, 116 S. Pine St., North Little Rock, AR 72114; (501) 371-0912. Would you like to become involved but don't know what to do, where to go, or where to start? Read on. We ran across this list of organizations in How to Help, from the May 29, 1995 issue of Newsweek.WORTHY WAYS TO GET INVOLVEDSTRIVE; New York City; (212) 360-1100; Trains young adults for entry-level jobs; heavy follow-up. FOCUS: HOPE; Detroit; (313) 494-5500; Offers the disadvantaged training in everything from machinery skills to high-tech engineering. JOBS FOR YOUTH; Chicago; (312) 782-2086; Tough-love job training. DELANCEY STREET; San Francisco; (415) 957-9800; Residential program for ex-cons; eases them back into life with school, rehab and jobs. ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS; Detroit; (313) 496-0938; fights teen pregnancy by forming girls' clubs based on building self-respect from kindergarten up. INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD; Washington, D.C.; (202) 789-6376; Reaches out to young single fathers, teaching parenting and responsibility skills. MOM'S PROJECT; Boston; (617) 638-5160; Female ex-addicts help pregnant women fight drug and alcohol rehab programs. ONE CHURCH - ONE ADDICT; Washington, D.C.; (800) 942-2771; Teaches churches how to run drug and alcohol rehab programs. MAD DADS; Omaha, NE; (402) 451-3500; Area fathers patrol drug markets to report dealers. Volunteers serve as positive role models. PHILAPRIDE, INC.; Philadelphia; (215) 575-2210; Helps communities prevent illegal dumping and clean up existing environmental hazards. MASTER WOODLAND MANAGER; Ames, IA; (515) 294-4465; Teaches landowners how to protect forests. "I HAVE A DREAM" FOUNDATION; New York City; (212) 293-5480; College-tuition help promised for poor kids who manage to graduate from high school. COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES; Seattle; (206) 328-8588; Volunteers investigate child abuse cases to relieve burden on overworked bureaucrats. ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION; New York City; (212) 227-6601; Provides seed money for street-level charitable entrepreneurs. LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP.; New York City; (212) 455-9800; Cuts through red tape that blocks affordable housing developments. ALLIANCE FOR NATIONAL RENEWAL; Denver; (303) 571-4343; Links grass-roots activists to share ideas and approaches. SUCCESS BY 6; Minneapolis; (612) 340-7628; or, to volunteer: (612) 340-7596; Focuses on early-childhood issues and education. CENTER FOR COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION; New York City; (212) 348-7821; Advocates small schools, choice. BUILDING CHARACTER SCHOOL-WIDE; Dayton, OH; (513) 224-7364; Classroom "character education." GOOD SHEPHERD HOUSE; Philadelphia; (215) 843-5413; Educates kids about how to resolve conflicts without violence. TEACH FOR AMERICA; New York City; (212) 425-9039; Recruits recent college grads to spend two years teaching in understaffed public schools. STAR PROGRAM; Pasadena, CA; (818) 792-8130; "Stop, Think, Act, Review"; A school primer on personal responsibility. CARING COMMUNITIES; St. Louis; (314) 231-3720; Helps schools function as round-the-clock community centers. THE CHOICE PROGRAM; Baltimore; (410) 455-2494; Offers juvenile offenders daily supervision and home drop-by visits. PARENTS AS TEACHERS; St. Louis; (314) 432-4330; Visits homes to promote parental involvement with kids' education. CHATTANOOGA VENTURE; Chattanooga, TN; (615) 267-8687; Organizes festivals and rallies the community behind major renewal projects. DALLAS AREA INTERFAITH; Dallas; (214) 351-6595; Brings together churches to set up things ranging from job training to after-school programs. NEW COMMUNITY CORP.; Newark, NJ; (201) 623-2800; Offers job training, housing; Encourages business development. CALIFORNIA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CORP.; Woodland, CA; (916) 668-5160; Operates local Head Start, family-literacy and bilingual child-abuse prevention programs. NATIONAL RETIREE VOLUNTEER COALITION; Minneapolis; (612) 341-2689; Helps corporations establish programs to channel retirees into useful charitable work. WHO CARES MAGAZINE; Washington, D.C.; (202) 628-1691; info@whocares.org; Provides info on community activist groups founded by young people. PLUGGED IN; East Palo Alto, CA; (800) 225-7584; info@pluggedin.org; Introduces disadvantaged kids to computers. LEAP; New Haven, CT; (203) 773-0770; College students operate a summer camp for inner-city kids - in the inner city. CITY YEAR; Boston; (617) 350-0700; One-year intensive community service for ages 17 to 23. 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