Every day, Harbor Area Gang Alternatives Program’s (GAP) positive impact is felt by thousands of people in multiple communities in and around the Los Angeles area – from Watts to Wilmington, Lennox to Lomita, El Sereno to San Pedro, and Harbor City to Boyle Heights. By introducing Gangfree.org, GAP can expand its support to countless young people throughout the nation.
Their mission is to eliminate the base of gang membership by having a generation of young people say, “no” to gangs and “yes” to positive lifestyle choices. The Gang Alternatives Program has established a targeted prevention program that incorporates strategies, including:
- Gang prevention education programs for 2nd, 4th and 6th grades supporting LAUSD and State of California Principles of Learning and objectives in reading and writing, reinforcing moral reasoning, social problem-solving, thinking skills, and classroom behavior management
- Graffiti education and prevention assemblies in elementary schools; graffiti abatement partnerships with communities actively resisting the effects of gang culture
- After school programs for social skills, homework assistance, and tutoring
- Referral Services
- Parenting Programs (i.e. Parent Project® and Teen Project) in English and Spanish addressing parent training
- LIBERTY Instant Recess – “Life Is Being Equal, Responsible, and True to You.”