100% of youth at risk for gang involvement remained non-gang involved.

IPE Successes

Lost a Role Model

A 15-year-old bi-racial male was referred to the IPE program by his school counselor. The client currently lives with his mother and older sister. His brother, a positive support for him, no longer lives in the home since he is serving time in the military. At the time of the intake, his mother stated that she had had enough of her son and did not know what to do with him. The issues cited by his counselor were constant conflict with neighborhood youth, defiant behavior at home, and under-performing in school.

The IPE Counselor noted poor self esteem, high levels of frustration, peer relational problems in his neighborhood and at home. The IPE counselor first provided mentorship in the sense of serving as a positive role model while working with the client on individual goals. The client was able to obtain summer employment with the assistance of the IPE Counselor. The IPE Counselor repeatedly reminded client’s mother to obtain documents needed for the youth to obtain employment. The summer job helped the client build his confidence by allowing him to feel a sense of achievement.

While working throughout the summer, the client also attended summer school and passed his class with C+. The IPE Counselor continued to teach and model to client’s mother how to provide positive encouragement to her son. The client took the initiative to sign up for the school step team and obtain a tutor so that he could keep his grades up in order to stay on the step team.

Has anyone helped you along the way? Pass it forward. Become a mentor.

Ex-gang member

 A 16-year-old Hispanic male, was referred to the Gang Prevention and Intervention Program by his probation officer. He had been in and out of detention facilities since he was 14 years old. His counselor met with him twice a week in his home. They established a relationship of trust and spoke about his previous gang activities, his family situation, and about his schoolwork and dreams for the future.

After two months of intensive services with the program, he was maintaining a 3.6 grade point average, volunteering weekly as an assistant teacher for ESL classes in the community, attending Hip-Hop classes, and preparing to attend a summer art institute. He believes the reason that he is doing so well now is that he has the support he never had in his past. The client is firmly committed to remaining out of trouble and continuing to progress.

One person's life can make an incredible difference. Become a mentor.

Headed out of trouble

A 13-year-old Salvadoran boy was referred to the IPE program by his school social worker for issues related to gang involvement and concern the boy would drop out of school. He currently lives with his mother who is from a rural area of El Salvador. She does not speak English and has limited written language capabilities in Spanish. Additionally, the boy does not have a good relationship with his father, whose whereabouts are unknown. The client states that he enjoys playing soccer. He currently lives in a predominantly Latino area of Northern Virginia.

About three years ago, the client had participated in a school-based mental health program, but had not received any services since. After being in the IPE program, he has begun volunteering with a local attorney, and has decreased his gang involvement. He is not hanging out with gang youth or going to gang meetings as much. He reports that he trusts the IPE Counselor, and sometimes calls his counselor late at night to discuss things that bother him. He is interested in doing well for this school year, and is considering playing soccer in a local youth league.

Someone out there could use your care and encouragement. Become a mentor.

Attitude Adjustment

A 13-year-old Native American male was referred to the IPE Program by a community police officer. The client currently lives with his mother and step-father. He had recently relocated to the Northern Virginia area after living in another state. The client had been on probation in another state for fighting. He had been expelled from school and spent most of his days hanging out with gang members on the street and being involved in gang related activities. He and his mother had been displaced from several residences and at one point lived on the streets.

After attempting to complete a police boot camp program, the client was kicked out for failing to comply with all of the rules. The officer referred the client to the IPE Program. Over the past couple of months of working closely with his IPE Counselor, the client has made significant improvements in terms of behavior and overall attitude. He is excelling in school and has recently signed up for an after school youth program where he spends his time doing positive activities. The client is no longer involved in gang related activities and has focused his interests on finding better friends to associate with.

Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Become a mentor.

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