Summer 2009Summer 2009 P.E.A.C.E. ProjectP.E.A.C.E. Project

(People Enthusiastic About (People Enthusiastic About the the Community and Community and Environment)Environment)

P.E.A.C.E. ProjectP.E.A.C.E. Project

Group of mixed teens ranging from ages 14 to Group of mixed teens ranging from ages 14 to 1919

Summer work program, through the Monterey Summer work program, through the Monterey County Office of Employment & Training. County Office of Employment & Training.

Looked at the positives and negatives in the Looked at the positives and negatives in the Soledad community. Soledad community.

Conclusion - Conclusion - We need a Youth Center.We need a Youth Center.

IssuesIssues

Gang violence Gang violence

Drug AbuseDrug Abuse

Not enough programs for the Not enough programs for the youthyouth

Teen PregnanciesTeen Pregnancies

VandalismVandalism

Research QuestionResearch Question

Do you believe a Youth Centerwill help reduce violence in Soledad?

Our ResearchOur Research Created youth/adult surveys & conducted Created youth/adult surveys & conducted

interviews with key stakeholders in the interviews with key stakeholders in the Soledad community.Soledad community.

Sample question: “What types of programs Sample question: “What types of programs should the Youth Center provide?should the Youth Center provide?

Surveys collected:Surveys collected:

127 adults 127 adults

100 youth100 youth

””

Soledad P.E.A.C.E ProjectSoledad P.E.A.C.E Project

Findings (1)Findings (1)

The majority of youth and adults in Soledad want a Youth Center.

89.8% of youth 98.5% of adults

“[A youth center would] keep them away from gangs or other problems. Also it would give them more education and job skills.” -

Anonymous adult

Findings (2)Findings (2)

A Youth Center in Soledad would help prevent youth violence.

75.6% of youth agree

94.5% of adults agree

“I feel it will brighten the future for the youth”

-Anonymous adult

Findings (3)Findings (3)Most of the youth and adults prefer the following activities for the Youth Center…

Sports (31% youth, 36% adults)

Games (22% youth)

Field Trips (9% youth)

Art (16% adults)

Counseling (13% adults)

Cooking

Findings (4)Findings (4) The main reasons youth feel they get in The main reasons youth feel they get in

trouble in Soledad are because of Alcohol, trouble in Soledad are because of Alcohol, Drugs, Fighting, & Peer Pressure to do the Drugs, Fighting, & Peer Pressure to do the above.above.

81% of all youth surveyed feel that fights are the 81% of all youth surveyed feel that fights are the #1 reason.#1 reason.

67% of the youth surveyed feel that drugs and 67% of the youth surveyed feel that drugs and alcohol are the #2 reason.alcohol are the #2 reason.

61% of the youth surveyed feel that peer pressure 61% of the youth surveyed feel that peer pressure is the #3 reason.is the #3 reason.

Findings (5)Findings (5) Most adults think that youth get into Most adults think that youth get into

trouble because of lack of given attention.trouble because of lack of given attention.

71.3 % of all adults surveyed feel that 71.3 % of all adults surveyed feel that lack of attention is the #1 reason.lack of attention is the #1 reason.

67.2 of all adults surveyed feel that peer 67.2 of all adults surveyed feel that peer pressure is the #2 reason.pressure is the #2 reason.

67.2% of all adults surveyed feel that bad 67.2% of all adults surveyed feel that bad relationship with adults is the #3 reason.relationship with adults is the #3 reason.

Findings (6)Findings (6) When asked if drugs/alcohol is a reason When asked if drugs/alcohol is a reason

that youth get into trouble:that youth get into trouble:

5% of adults agreed5% of adults agreed

67% of youth agreed 67% of youth agreed

This could mean adults are disconnected This could mean adults are disconnected or uninformed about what is causing or uninformed about what is causing young people to get in trouble in Soledad!young people to get in trouble in Soledad!

RecommendationsRecommendations

The city of Soledad should open a Youth Center.The city of Soledad should open a Youth Center.

Families should be involved in the Youth Center Families should be involved in the Youth Center through events, family nights, & parenting through events, family nights, & parenting classes.classes.

Parents should be informed about the benefits of Parents should be informed about the benefits of a Youth Center through advertising such as the a Youth Center through advertising such as the local newspaper, T.V., radio, & billboards.local newspaper, T.V., radio, & billboards.

Adults should be informed about gang violence Adults should be informed about gang violence through Youth Center activities like adult classes through Youth Center activities like adult classes & family nights.& family nights.

RecommendationsRecommendations Continue to engage community through website Continue to engage community through website

– include ways to donate online & take survey.– include ways to donate online & take survey. Youth Center: Youth Center:

Youth-led programming.Youth-led programming. Offer boys & girls different options - sports, Offer boys & girls different options - sports,

games, peer & computers.games, peer & computers. Offer different field tripsOffer different field trips Have counseling available for those that have Have counseling available for those that have

a drug problem a drug problem Provide peer counseling regarding drugs, Provide peer counseling regarding drugs,

alcohol, & other issues. alcohol, & other issues. Provide employment for the youth of Soledad.Provide employment for the youth of Soledad.

Summary Summary

The majority of youth & adults in Soledad want a Youth Center.

A Youth Center in Soledad would help prevent youth violence.

Sports, Art & Cooking Classes, & Counseling should be some of the activities & programs provided at the Youth Center.

Adults are disconnected or uninformed about what is causing young people to get in trouble in Soledad!

Action PlanAction Plan

Present to city council Present to city council

Create a working groupCreate a working group

Inform the youth & adults about the Inform the youth & adults about the benefits for the Youth Centerbenefits for the Youth Center

More research on the impacts of youth More research on the impacts of youth centers in other communities & how to centers in other communities & how to raise money to developraise money to develop

Thank You!Thank You!

Monterey County Office of Monterey County Office of Employment and Training Employment and Training

Jacob Ruelas- CET Inc. Jacob Ruelas- CET Inc. SoledadSoledad

Youth In FocusYouth In Focus

Lieutenant Jamie Fernandez Lieutenant Jamie Fernandez Soledad Police DepartmentSoledad Police Department

Carol Alvarado- LibraryCarol Alvarado- Library

Steve Orozco- YMCASteve Orozco- YMCA

Mayor Richard OrtizMayor Richard Ortiz

SoMoCo CAT committee SoMoCo CAT committee

Community of SoledadCommunity of Soledad

Marta RosadoMarta Rosado

Sergio CuellarSergio Cuellar