A program addressing the needs of at-risk youth was born from the need to save our young people. It is a program servicing the community from Imago Dei Community Development Inc. a 501C3 organization with its head-quarters at 134 Robert James Drive, Valrico, Florida. There are thousands of statistics I could quote but the only figures that are really important are how many boys and girls we are able to mentor and counsel. How many boys and girls can we save from the streets. Imago Dei Community Development collaborating with the Department of Juvenile Justice worked during the summer with 10 young men. We recognize that you must offer alternatives to the deviant behavior. Those alternatives can be in the form of art, computer science, theatrics, and business opportunities. We also offer counseling, and mentoring to ascertain the root of contributing factors to deviant behavior. Resolutions is a mentoring program developed to provide not only role models, but real models for at-risk youths ages 8-18 years old, using qualified instructors, mentors, and counselors. We provide a healthy, stimulating, and creative environment. The goal is to empower our youth to make positive life choices.
The Goals are to:
- Reduce juvenile delinquency and gang participation by at-risk youth
- Improve academic performance
- Reduce drop-out rate through the establishment of one on one mentoring
The Objectives are:
- Provide general guidance and support
- Promote personal and social responsibility
- Increase participation in elementary and secondary education
- Discourage use of illegal drugs and firearms, involvement in violence and other delinquent activity
- Discourage gang involvement
- Encourage participation in community service activity
The average grant we are seeking to support this program is from $25,000 dollars to 50,000 dollars. This amount is a far cry from the $75,000 to 100,000 dollars it takes to house, educate, and maintain one child in the YDC (Youth Detention Center). You do the math. “No” we won’t save them all but just one will save the state anywhere from $50.000-$75.000 dollars a year. Recognizing that the problems start early on in childhood development we have broadened our horizons to a piloting program at A. Dorothy Haines School in Augusta, Georgia. We see the 4th and 5th graders every other Tuesday. We figure an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.Through the efforts of a passionate, and caring principle, Dr. Emily Driggers, a dedicated and progressive teaching staff, and a progressive participating P.T.O. as well as the staff at Imago Dei Community Development we are making a difference. “Please join us in our efforts” for more information you may call 706 533-8854, 706 869-2394 or e-mail [email protected]