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The Community Works-TCC (Teens, Crime & Community) program was created to reduce the alarmingly high rate of teen victimization, and to engage young people in their communities. The program teaches teens ways to protect themselves from crime, and provides them with opportunities to develop safer, more vital communities. Community Works-TCC seeks to tap and focus teen’s energy, talent, and enthusiasm so they can participate in their communities as responsible citizens.
Community Works-TCC is an initiative of the USA National Crime Prevention Council. It was created in 1985 with support from Street Law, Inc. and the office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. It brings together the crime prevention expertise of the National Crime Prevention Council and the innovative educational and curriculum expertise of Street Law, Inc.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Community Works program is to empower young people with the message that they can change their lives for the better. The program’s three components —a curriculum of interactive sessions that provides practical crime and HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge, community resource people, and service-learning projects—provides them with the tools and skills they need to create that change.
The Community Works program is based on many years of experience working in schools, juvenile justice facilities, and community-based organizations. The program is the culmination of an effort to bring the strengths of the TCC program to school and community settings. Community Works is designed to provide teens with highly interactive, topical sessions that appeal to young people and hold their interest.
Community Works is a program that combines education and action to reduce teen victimization, and involve young people in service to their communities. The program develops self-esteem, leadership, and citizenship skills by engaging young people in action to positively affect the circumstances of their lives. Community Works provides information that will motivate young people to take safety seriously, and to make their communities better and safer.
 OPM Ambassadors work at a Re Sale shop to raise funds for the HandUp Organization which benefits the homeless. |
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 OPM Ambassadors make and serve lunches to the homeless. |
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GOALS:
- Increase teens’ awareness of their vulnerability to crime and HIV/AIDS.
- Educate teens on how to protect themselves and their communities.
- Motivate teens to take action in their communities.
- Help teens understand the costs of crime and HIV/AIDS, and what can be done to prevent it.
- Foster community relations by bringing community resource people into the sessions.
- Bond youth to the community through increased self esteem.
- Increase teen empathy towards victims of crime and HIV/AIDS.
FAQs:
The expected results will illustrate how the three components of the Community Works program—curriculum, community resource people, and service-learning projects—work together to foster resiliency. The content and strategies of the sessions encourage young people to analyze situations and exercise reason to effectively communicate their ideas. The interactive teaching strategies build on the strengths of young people—teens learn from each other’s experiences and insights. The involvement of community resource people helps bond young people to positive adults in the community.
Furthermore, Community Works challenges young people to look critically at their communities, and to identify the problems and the resources needed to help solve these problems. The young people in the program determine what role they can play in improving their communities. Service-learning projects give them the opportunity to work together to set goals, plan a project, execute that project, and reflect on the process. Young people complete the program with an increased sense of self-esteem, having experienced success in the sessions, and having taken concrete action to help their communities. Community Works will not eliminate all of the complex social and economic challenges faced by young people; it will provide a framework, however, to foster resiliency, and provide teens with an opportunity to develop their leadership potential to create safer and better communities.
Community Works recognizes the special needs that young people have today. This program is a means to address some of the issues that are most pressing for today’s youth: handguns, gangs, sexual assault, HIV/AIDS, conflict management, youth/police relationships, bullying, drugs, hate crimes, homeland security, and more. This program is in response to alarmingly high rates of crime and HIV/AIDS in our community. Crimes in schools are committed by youths ages 13 and older. Society has an obligation to guide the youth toward the development of socially acceptable behaviors, healthy beliefs, and high standards.
No matter how success is measured, studies show that young people are more likely to succeed if they have practical knowledge, cognitive and social skills, and meaningful opportunities in the community. Youth may be exposed to factors that put them at risk and make it difficult for them to develop skills necessary for a productive, safe life. These risk factors include the following:
- Alienation and lack of bonding to family, school, and community
- Early, frequent antisocial behavior
- Family history of high-risk behavior
- Family conflict
- Poor family management practices
- Economic and social deprivation
- School failure
- Low commitment to education
- Community disorganization
- Association with delinquent peers
The presence of these risk factors does not mean that a child will become delinquent. Resiliency research challenges us to ask what enables some young people to rise above life’s challenges and succeed while others do not. Resiliency research indicates that a complete program approach, such as Community Works, can play an integral role in strengthening resiliency skills that propel young people to succeed in spite of those risk factors. Most young people, including those facing multiple risk factors, do not engage in delinquent behavior. They are resilient because they are able to overcome their stressful environments and develop into socially competent and productive citizens. Among the traits that resilient youth display are the following:
- Good communication skills
- Problem-solving and critical-reasoning skills
- Empathy
- Ability to ask for assistance
- Positive sense of independence
- Belief in future
- Ability to engage in reflective thought
- Sense of humor
- Impulse control
- High self-esteem
- Planning and goal setting
OPM believes that by utilizing the Community Works program we can be a foundation for students on which to build and challenge them to become resilient youth that will shape our communities.
OPM will evaluate each student at the beginning of the program to test their current knowledge of crime and HIV/AIDS and how they can prevent it. At the conclusion of the program, students will be reevaluated confirming whether or not their knowledge has increased. Increased knowledge of crime and HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it will aid in preventing many students from becoming victims themselves.
Upon completion of the program, students will become Operation Peace of Mind Youth Network Ambassadors. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to represent OPM internationally and mentor other young people around the world, as well as in their own communities.
Introduction: Icebreakers
You and Your Community: Creating a Community Vision
What is Crime?
What is HIV / AIDS?
Victims of Crime
Safe and Secure Communities
Community Volunteer Program
Where are We Safe and Unsafe?
HIV / AIDS Education
Our Community’s Resources
Your Conflict Choices
Conflict Management and Communication
HIV / AIDS Education
Community Volunteer Program
Planning Project
Designing a Project
Doing a Project
HIV / AIDS Education
Robbery and Assault
Bullying and Teens
Dating Violence
Sexual Assault
HIV / AIDS Education
Handguns and Violence
Gangs: Define the Problem
Gangs: Consider Alternatives
Underage Drinking
HIV / AIDS Education
Drug Abuse
Drug Dealing
Property Crimes
Community Volunteer Program
HIV / AIDS Education
Shoplifting
Vandalism
Suspicions, Stereotypes, & Solutions
Diversity & Bias Awareness
HIV / AIDS Education
Hate Crimes
Witnessing and Reporting Crime
Cops on Call
HIV / AIDS Education
Introduction to Various Cultures
Community Volunteer Program
Teens & Homeland Security
HIV / AIDS Education
What Happens During an Arrest? or “Hey, Can They Do That?”
Visit to Government offices, private businesses,
& Community Leaders
Patriotism / Environmental Awareness
Respect
Award of Certificates to Participants who have completed all sessions
Overseas Trip (optional)
If you would like more information about this program, please contact us.
