Behind the Badge
The Anaheim Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership Committee recently honored 150 Anaheim teachers for their efforts in mentoring at-risk students.
The teachers were acknowledged with certificates of appreciation at a May 17 luncheon at the House of Blues at Downtown Disney in Anaheim.
GRIP is a partnership between the non-profit Community Service Programs and several law enforcement agencies and schools throughout Orange County.
GRIP teacher mentors gather at the House of Blues at Downtown Disney to be honored by Community Service Programs and the Anaheim Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The Orange County Grand Jury has recognized Anaheim’s GRIP partnership as one of the most effective gang prevention programs in the state.
Twelve Anaheim schools participate in GRIP: Lincoln Elementary, Palm Lane Elementary, Twila Reid Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, Paul Revere Elementary, Ponderosa Elementary, Edison Elementary, Danbrook Elementary, Ball Junior High, Orangeview Junior High, South Junior High and Sycamore Junior High Schools.
CSP serves children, adults and families living in Orange County, including abused children, struggling families, victims of crime, and those in need of mediation services.
Anaheim PD Sgt. Brennan Leininger congratulates the Anaheim GRIP teacher mentors.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Through its many GRIP partnerships including its one in Anaheim, CSP provides case management services to law enforcement.
The idea is to take an evidence-based, collaborative approach to gang prevention, education, community building and intervention and suppression activities to children who are at risk of gang involvement, truancy, school dropout and juvenile delinquency.
And the goal is simple: get schools to work with law enforcement to educate students that a way of life other than gang involvement and juvenile delinquency is available to them.
The teacher mentors honored May 17 supported students by meeting with them for a minimum of 30 minutes per week, made contact with the students’ parents a minimum of once a month, and had lunch with the students a minimum of once a month.
GRIP teacher mentor Alyssa Lopez receives recognition from CSP Program Director Kristen Gaborno, left, and Anaheim PD Sgt. Brennan Leininger during a recognition ceremony at the Anaheim House of Blues at Downtown Disney on May 17.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
