The Aquarius Project

Specializes in Prevention & Intervention Strategies

Through five systemic approaches

· Conflict Resolution/Gang- Mediation

· Coordination & Implementation of youth workers trained to deal with gang members in the public school system

· Coordination and collaboration of resource services

· Anti-gang presentations to the high-risk students

· Coordination, collaboration and implementation of gang task force

Conflict resolution/gang mediation

Specialized training geared towards resolving highly sensitive issues in the public school system. Many conflicts start off school grounds, but filter onto campuses daily.

Trainings

Youth workers and or existing staff trained in identification of gang members and gang rivalries, will be better equipped to handle conflicts before and after they happen.

Coordination and Collaboration of resource services

Resource teams will work hand in hand with the mediation teams to acquire programs, employment and sports outlets to keep youth busy during to unsupervised times of 3-6pm.

Gang Task Force and Anti-Gang presentations

Coordination and Collaboration between Probation, Parole, local Law Enforcement and the school can be the catalyst to halting any future gang conflicts on campus.
Anti-Gang presentations tailored to your schools issues

    1. Conflict resolution/gang mediation. Implemented in the Boston public school system in the early 1990’s. The program called the Streetworkers, were placed in 12 of Boston’s worst schools, these schools had the highest drop out, suspension, expulsion and violent incident rates in the city.
      The Streetworkers were trained 4 times on Conflict resolution, from the Attorney Generals Office, the Kennedy School of Government and Harvard University. Finally at Harvard the Streetworkers turned Conflict resolution into Gang Mediations. Using the same principals of conflict resolution while implementing gang scenarios, the Streetworkers were able to put the trainings into action. The schools began to see a decrease in violent incidents along with suspension and expulsion rates dropped.
    2. Youth workers trained to deal with and indentify gang members. This component is needed but can be replicated through training existing staff. The public schools must have at least 5-10 personnel per. school identified to handle this component. It is vital that the schools have personnel trained and ready to deal with gang issues on campus and off campus.
    3. Coordination and collaboration of resource teams. Connecting with outside agencies such as youth employment, sporting leagues and cultural events will enhance the youth’s self esteem. These resources are used to keep the youth busy during the unsupervised hours of 3-6pm.
    4. Anti-gang presentations. Gang presentations are the easiest component to implement. These presentations will take place between the identified high-risk youth on campus and the presenter. Each school in need will have the presenters talk to and interact with all students identified by the school administration. There is no cap on the number of students presented to. Each presentation last between 45-60 minutes depending on school need. Each presentation will be tailored to the schools current issues. One to two meeting will take place before the presentations to gather information about the particular issue the school is having.
    5. Coordination and collaboration of the gang task force including, Law Enforcement-Probation and Parole. Depending on the need, some schools might need law enforcement on campus. While dealing with a strong gang presence on campus, the coordination and collaboration with law enforcement could be critical in preventing injury or deaths in your public school system. Assessing the need for law enforcement can be minimal to extensive based on the schools need. The gang task force was originated in the Boston public school system to deal with the large number of rival gang members in Dorchester High School.
      Implementation of Aquarius Project guarantees a sharp decrease in gang conflicts along with prevention & intervention of future gang conflicts on school grounds.