Representative Howard L. Berman (D-CA) announced today that Congress has earmarked funds for three critical projects designed to help at-risk youth in the 28th congressional district. These funds, requested by Berman, are designated in the Conference report accompanying H.R. 2862, the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006. The House passed the bill today, and the Senate is expected to pass this bill tomorrow. The projects are:
$500,000 – San Fernando Valley Partnership’s Underage Drinking and Delinquency Program. This funding will help the Partnership establish a major underage drinking and delinquency program in the 28th congressional district that uses a science-based youth-and-family strengthening approach to prevention. The program will target high-risk middle and high school-aged youth and is designed to reduce and prevent underage drinking and delinquency. Berman stated, “The family structure is essential to preventing juvenile delinquency, and the San Fernando Partnership recognizes the importance of this link.” He added, “I am proud to support the Partnership’s mentoring and family-strengthening model of prevention.”
Project Contact: Albert Melena, executive director, San Fernando Valley Partnerhship, Inc., 818-837-7767
$50,000 – Shakespeare Festival/LA’s Will Power To Youth Program. This community arts, educational outreach, employment, and gang diversion program trains and motivates young people by engaging them in producing their own versions of Shakespeare’s plays. Berman stated, “Will Power to Youth is a proven at-risk youth intervention model of success.” He added, “I look forward to seeing this successful program implemented in my district.”
Program Contact: Ben Donenberg, artistic director, Shakespeare Festival/LA, 213-481-2273
$50,000 – Van Nuys Community Court Volunteer Center. The Van Nuys Community court is a neighborhood-based court that is committed to the dual principles of restorative justice and rehabilitation. The court uses power of the justice system and legal leverage to link those who commit low level “quality of life crimes” to drug treatment, health care, education, job training and other needed services to help address to offender’s underlying problems. It is a collaborative public-private partnership that operates with the support of the Los Angeles Police Department, the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles, social service providers, local businesses and community residents. The Van Nuys Community Court program was the first court of its kind in California and is currently one of only 20 such courts in the United States. Berman stated, “I am thrilled to have such an innovative and successful program operating in my district.” He further added, “These funds will help draw to the courts the national attention they deserve.”
Program Contacts: Don Schultz, 818-786-9344 and Candito Marez, 818-259-3060, co-chairs of the Van Nuys Community Courts Citizens Advisory Committee.
