The majority of Lake Avenue Community Foundation’s programs and services aim to reduce youth violence. Under the direction of Leo Hurtado, beginning in the spring of 2008 we are forming a strategy that will work to intervene in the lives of teens engaging in violent behavior and to build resiliency to protect youth from this behavior.
We are currently working along side the “Neighborhood Outreach Workers” program. Neighborhood Outreach Workers (NOW) was formed as a pilot program to combat gang violence in August 2007. NOW is run through the Western Justice Center Foundation by Pasadena Neighborhood Services Administrator Horace Wormely and Ricky Pickens, formerly of the Pasadena Police Department’s Safe Schools Team.
Young men and women have established computer literacy training, driver’s license test preparation and conducted a late-night basketball competition.
Guest speakers have presented on issues including the justice system, private employment opportunities and information on the Job Corps.
