PROGRAMS
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: An evidence-based model opportunity to better family communication & promote healthy family bonding and relationships.
Parents/Caregivers will discuss: The normal developmental changes in teenagers, helping youth to avoid dangerous risks and substance use, setting age-appropriate limits, helping youth to understand rules and consequences, effective joint problem-solving skills, and ways to show love and support.
Youth will learn: How to make good decisions and goal setting, peer pressure resistance skills to avoid negative behaviors, empathy, understanding the role of parents/caregivers, and coping with stress.
YOUTH/YOUNG ADULT LIFE COACHING CIRRICULUM: The curriculum includes topics on violence prevention and intervention, dealing with peer pressure, dating, drugs, the consequences of dropping out of school, college, time management & anger management. There are groups sessions and one on one sessions based on individual service plans.
THE TALKS – IDENTIFYING THE MIRROR IN ME™: The primary purpose of this workshop is to start young ladies between the ages of 12-16, who live in potentially high crime areas in of Indianapolis, on a path of self-awareness and self-worth. While all children are vulnerable and deserve basic human rights, some girls start life with a unique disadvantage – gender inequality. The consequences of inequality are at the root of many obstacles for girls, including poverty, disease, violence, self-hate, alcohol, drug addictions, etc.
Girls throughout our community face numerous forms of violence including violence at school, bullying, sexual assault, teen dating violence, sex trafficking and prostitution.
VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROCESS (VIP)
Our VIP program is utilizing a sports analogy by identifying our workers as recruiters, coaches, personal trainers, and agents. This helps identify the roles that are performed, not necessarily, the number of individuals. The program identifies high-risk youth that have the potential or is actively involved in gun violence activities.
VIP engages these youth to offer them an opportunity to transition and exit the lifestyle that may lead to violent conflicts and developing an Individual Service Plan (ISP) to assist in the transformation from the street-life to a productive employed citizen.
Th VIP program utilizes strong relationships with small businesses, faith-based groups, non-profits, and other service providers throughout the Indianapolis area and beyond. These groups and individuals serve as agents and personal trainers to support the participants in the program. We believe the Violence Intervention Process will rescue high-risk youth and interrupt the paths and lifestyle that produces violent crime.
ACE3
q Acknowledge – There is a gun violence problem, and it seems that we have become numb and feel paralyzed
q Communicate – We have a moral obligation to address the problem and we can significantly reduce gun violence if we speak up.
q Educate – Our congregation and community to speak morally regarding the problem, community conversations, intervention, and discipleship training. Education through bible study and sermons regularly applying the Word to current context of violence and trauma.
q Equip – Provide supplies, equipment, and materials to perform outreach ministry. Effectively utilize our current assets both community, congregational, and facilities for the common agenda.
q Engage – encourage congregants to speak up to prevent the next shooting, deescalate family and friends’ drama, participate in Violence Reduction Advocacy (VRA) groups, develop ministry and outreach activities, coordinate, and accumulate funding to serve the community
Financial Plan for Programs
Our plan expands the VIP program which includes training and developing of additional coaches, personal trainers, agents, and fund other violence intervention activities such as barrier buster funds, travel/transportation, and other needed supports.
Transportation/Travel Expenses: reimburse Coaches for fuel, wear and tear mileage and provide transportation for program participants, cultural exploration experiences and events.
Barrier Buster Funds: Funds to assistance with rent or utilities, car repair, food, uniforms, or other financial burdens and other activities that will help support Life Coaches ability to recruit participants.
Therapist/Case Manager Expenses: Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments, client intake, psycho-social history, provide individual, family, and group therapy and develop treatment goals and interventions plans.
Administrative Expenses: Program Insurance, curriculum, copies and supplies and equipment – hold Group meetings with Elders of the community and other significant persons to help re-establish a common community value system and enrollment of individuals to engage with Life Coaches or Case Managers to conduct a warm hand-off to enroll into services, maintaining CRM database.