Community activists begin second phase of youth outreach program

A community outreach campaign aimed at mentoring youth and reducing violence kicked off its second phase Thursday. Clergy members, community activists and the Sergeants Benevolent Association praised

News 12 Staff

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Jul 1, 2016, 4:53 AM

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Updated 3,122 days ago

A community outreach campaign aimed at mentoring youth and reducing violence kicked off its second phase Thursday.

Clergy members, community activists and the Sergeants Benevolent Association praised the progress that the One Family One Community Initiative (OFOCI) made since it began a month ago.

The program has held programs in several schools, bringing in mentors for children to look up to and reinforce the dangers of gangs.

Now that school is out for summer vacation, the campaign will hit summer youth programs like basketball tournaments and block parties.

The campaign says it will give out free food and drinks to hopefully spark a positive relationship between the youth and their mentors, many of whom will be from the Sergeants Union.

Phase three of the program will begin in September when the campaign will recruit hundreds of mentors from fraternities, sororities and other groups to help enforce its message.