Project GO “Gang Out” is a major initiative of A Better Way. Project GO identifies potential and existing gang members and their families interested in leaving a gang. Project GO teaches and educates former gang members and their families how to explore positive alternatives that do not include gang life. The program is broken into 4 phases. These four phases are: Identification, Implementation, Evaluation, and Graduation.

Gang Out is currently operating out of Friendship Baptist Church (1237 House St. Columbia, South Carolina), where Pastor Dix is Senior Pastor. Project “GO” meets every Monday night @ 6:30 p.m., is currently serving students from Richland/Lexington, and Sumter Counties, most of whom are self-referred, referred by Resource Officers, or Family and Juvenile Court. However, a good majority of our children and families come because of word of mouth. Successful completion of Project Go occurs approximately within six months. However, there is no time limit on the length of time a child and his/her family wishes to stay. We will also work with students who are on the verge of disciplinary action pending suspension or expulsion and possibly facing the DJJ system. Within the past 12-months, approximately 100 + students have been referred to Project GO through Richland School District One Resource Officers. This collaboration of Project GO and Richland One schools system has proven Project GO a catalyst to develop similar programs throughout the midlands and ultimately throughout the South Carolina. The services that Project GO delivers have expected outcomes. These projected outcomes are as follows:

• Overall improved school performance
• 75% of student will return to school, hence avoiding alternative out-of-regular-school placements
• Grades are expected to improve by a letter grade or better
• Family functioning and communication will increase
• There is an expectation of increased self-esteem; better coping, decision, and anger management skills
• There will be an increased awareness in criminal thinking errors and potential for gang affiliation and/or violence and how to escape gang life

For an application, click here.

Mentors for Children of Prisoners

We are excited about another one of our initiatives, Mentor for Children of Prisoners. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, with the Administration of Child and Family has awarded our agency a three year grant. This grant will allow us, in collaboration with the Nurturing Center, to provide mentors for children who have parents who are incarcerated.

As a mentor you are required to promote and accentuate positive pro-social attitudes and behaviors while engaging in or introducing youth to acceptable community activities and resources. You are also asked to expose your mentee to cultural and educational opportunities that they other wise may not have access too. This can be accomplished through consistent interaction and communication with your assigned youth.

A mentor is required to spend at least a minimum of 1 hour a week of face to face contact with your mentee. Additionally, you are asked to periodically communicate by phone with mentee.

If you think that this is something you are interested in, please call me at (803) 799-0990 or email sylvia@gangout.com for more information.

Click here for Mentor Commitment Requirements.

Click here for Mentor Reference Checklist (part of the application).

For an application, click here.