Washington, D.C, District of Columbia Mar 23, 2021 (Issuewire.com) - The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) spearheaded the program as a means to provide mentoring services to court-mandated youth to reduce recidivism, provide guidance and support, offer support and direction for youth and their families.
The Credible Messenger Program employs mentors who have transitioned from street life to contributing members of society in order to provide youth with caring adults who understand their current condition and can also successfully guide them to another more productive pathway.
Life Deeds has successfully employed 13 Credible Messengers from Washington DC communities. These mentors received training and are prepared to engage youth implementing the Positive Youth Development (PYD) domains. The Positive Youth Development domains engage youth in developmental areas of education, employment, relationships, health awareness, creativity, and civic engagement.
Life Deeds has successfully provided mentoring services for over 2,000 adjudicated youth in Washington DC on Wards 7 and 8.
The program has a parent and family support component that engages family members collectively. The support groups take once weekly. The Family Engagement Specialist facilitates group sessions where parent concerns, opinions, and ideas are addressed.
The Credible Messenger Program has assisted over 500 families with family needs, district services, housing stabilization, and family reunification. These services are components of the greater service of improved quality of life for Wards 7 and 8.
Life Deeds' Wards 7 and 8 families have been able to obtain higher-paying employment, have access to district services and resources, benefit from assistance with their child’s education plans and academic support, and created a safe space for families to express their voices and have their needs met.
Life Deeds, Inc., a 501 c 3, was launched in 2008, by Allieu Kamara, as a community-based initiative that serves high-risk youth and adults throughout the District, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV). Emphasis is placed on housing, employment, and strength-based initiatives that, through collaborations, seek to ensure that the community-at-large is better off. Life Deeds has been a part of several key broad initiatives that have continued for more than a decade.
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Life Deeds Inc *****@lifedeeds.org (202) 584-0344 5035 50th St., NE Washington, DC 20019 http://www.lifedeeds.org
