A Day in the Life of a Gang Outreach Worker

Many of our Clubs sit in neighborhoods riddled with violence and our kids are never far away from the threat of yet another tragedy. In the past month several of our members have been witness to horrific shootings resulting in the deaths of family members and friends. Sometimes the weight of the pain and feeling of hopelessness to keep these awful things from happening could make even the most dedicated youth professional want to throw up their hands and say, "I give up!" Luckily, we have caring adults who realizing defeat is not an option. We are talking about the lives and the futures of our youth; kids we care about as if they were our own.

Miss Nancy

That is where Miss Nancy comes in. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland we have many dedicated and wonderful staff that support our kids every day. And one special group of staff are our gang outreach workers who go into schools and neighborhoods to mediate between rival gangs in an attempt to prevent violence and the inevitable retaliation that often follows. Miss Nancy is one of those people. She spends each day at high schools and on the streets around the city, meeting kids on their turf. On Monday I had the privilege of following her around East Tech High school. During those two short hours, I learned even more about the immense and heavy struggles our youth face. But that was not the only thing I took away from the experience. I saw how harsh descriptions of reality, mixed with stern words and a loving hug can guide troubled youth away from violence and towards hope.

The day began with Miss Nancy making the rounds on the third floor where the 9th graders were taking classes. Every student wandering the halls during class was immediately identified, given a hug, and told without hesitation, "Get back to class now." The rest of the morning was spent going to a few different classrooms where there were frank discussions about the realities of prison, the importance of education, and the reason each teacher deserved the respect of their students. It was truly a no-holds-barred approach.

What most impressed me was the respect that Miss Nancy received from each of the kids. One minute she may be in a student's face explaining why their disruptive behavior was unacceptable, and the next minute they were giving her a hug as she told them how much she loved them. It just demonstrated what we all know but sometimes forget---just yelling at a kid and telling them right from wrong will not be nearly as effective if it is not coupled with love and respect.

Perhaps the most touching moment came at the end of a class when Miss Nancy noticed a student with his head down at the back of the classroom. She gave him a hug and asked him what was the matter. He told her he had not eaten in two days and there was no food in the house. Miss Nancy sprung into action, finding the lunchroom staff and getting him food immediately. He soon returned to class where he was able to concentrate and engage in the discussion. She told me later that particular student came from a family of seven children and had a single, unemployed mom. She made a note to call around and see what she could do to get some food in the house.

The purpose of the outreach program is to identify gang members or youth at-risk of gang involvement. Our outreach staff then work to meet the needs of those individuals; whether it is employment, OGT tutoring, securing food or shelter, or even washing uniforms so they can be presentable at work. No need is too small...because when a young man or woman sees that there are adults out there that understand their struggles and care about their success, they realize the "love" they get from the gang is not real. They realize they are worth something to someone who will never demand they commit a crime or start a fight. They realize they can make something of themselves if they just use the tools they are given.

It is only when we give our youth a sense of self-worth that we can start to address the problems of violence. And that is what Miss Nancy is doing, one kid at a time.

Reflections on my Internship at the Boys & Girls Club

Guest Post By: Samantha Martin

I am so fortunate to have gained an internship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland. I'm learning so much about event planning, area partners, fundraising, and all of the important programs that the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland offer. I’m getting great experience through hands-on work, and the internship is reassuring my future goal of working in nonprofits.

However, hearing about gang feuds and shootings within blocks of the building where I'm inside working, is frightening. I'm from a rural area, and the thought of gang violence is almost surreal to me; it’s only seen on TV. I began to worry about my safety while I walked out to my car after I was finished for the day.

Then I realized… I have the luxury to leave. Most people don't. This is an issue area residents have to deal with on a daily basis. Families worry about the dangers of going to school or work, and young men try to ignore the pressures of joining a gang.

The President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, Ron Soeder, sat down with me and explained some reasons why youth may become affiliated with a gang. One example, he stated, is a breakdown or separation in the family; the gang gives a sense of belonging that replaces a cohesive family unit. Another reason may be poverty—children may have no monetary support in their home, or they may not be able to find an “honest job,” so joining a gang is just a simple way to make money.

He also clarified that Cleveland is not the only city dealing with street gangs; it is a problem nationwide. The Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention is a federal department that specializes in anti-gang strategies. The OJJDP works to control gang activity through enforcement and intervention and by utilizing local resources such as the Greater Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance. The Peacemakers are made up several organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland.

The Peacemakers assist the police with their efforts by providing an outreach team to work one-on-one with at-risk youth. The outreach workers utilize the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland to develop relationships with these young adults by helping them stay in school, acting as mentors, and working to improve their job skills. They do whatever they can to keep them from participating in gang activities.

Even though this may sound like the plot of a television drama, this is real life. Children and young adults in this area, and across the country, are pressured to join gangs everyday. It's scary to think about, but it only shows how important it is to reach out to children and teens. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland are working hard everyday to help children make positive decisions. Through this internship opportunity, I’m also learning some things I may not be able to put down on my resume, such as the importance of giving a little time to help a child set goals and succeed. Such simple efforts can truly change their life for the better.