Friends Partners with FPD to Support Youth

Friends of Calwa, Inc. announces a new partneship with the Fresno Police Department and other local partners to bring resources and opportunities to youth in the Calwa area via our Nature & Nurture Program.

Today, the Fresno City Council approved the implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) - a collaboration between Friends of Calwa, Inc., Fresno Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, and California State University, Fresno's Department of Criminology - to combat gang violence through engagement with communities and enhance prevention and stronger re-entry efforts to reduce recidivism.

The Nature & Nurture Program encourages positive youth development by providing emotional support, activities in an outdoor setting, and creating opportunities for young people to serve their communities. The program is a vehicle for adolescents to develop leadership skills, gain self-esteem, learn the value of community, and exercise self-empowerment.

The program is made possible thanks to a U.S. Department Of Justice grant.

Chief Dyer with the Fresno Police Department stated: "The PSN grant will further enable us to reduce violence in our neighborhoods and keep our community safer through strong partnerships with our federal, state and local criminal justice partners."

Friends is excited to work with the Fresno Police Department and our local partners to secure a bright future for our youth!

See the SDOJ Announcement: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cae/news/docs/2014/2014_09/09-05-14Grant.html