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ATLANTA FALCONS STAR APPLAUDS

ANTI-GANG PROGRAM  

 

Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Falcons veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux is commending YELLS’s anti-gang programs serving children who live on Franklin Road in Marietta, Georgia, a community that is continually working to reduce crime.

 

Babineaux has invited kids from YELLS to attend the much-anticipated rematch between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, 8PM game as part of his “Babineaux’s Unit.” Jonathan will be implementing an anti-gang program with YELLS kids and Marietta police officers that will be announced at a later date.

 

YELLS is part of the Franklin Road Weed and Seed program, a five-year initiative that worked with collaborative partners to decrease crime and improve the overall community of Franklin Road.  YELLS stands for Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving and is part of an anti-gang intervention project in partnership with the Marietta Police Department and its Marietta Police Athletic League.  Through its long-term, proactive mentoring, tutoring and support program, YELLS is helping neighborhood kids from elementary to 12th grade seek and engage in alternatives to joining gangs.

Marietta YELLS youth meet weekly with members of the Marietta Police Athletic League in Ashton Place Apartments on Franklin Road.  What makes YELLS unique is it provides a system of support, growth, and leadership development that follows students from elementary through high school graduation. YELLS follows the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ model matching High School mentors or “Bigs,” with “Littles” from Park Street and Lockheed Elementary Schools. Once matched, Bigs and Littles form a bond and work together to design and implement youth-led service initiatives.

 

For the adults and families who live on Franklin Road, an Anti-Gang Initiative entitled RISE (Raising Individuals to Sustain Empowerment) provided a comprehensive approach to educate and support the entire family to help prevent youth involvement in adverse behavior. YELLS also provides parent workshops and volunteer requirements to build community involvement and family engagement.

 

For more information on YELLS, contact Laura Keefe Executive Director at  lauratkeefe@gmail.com or call 678-895-2854.