Visclosky Announces Federal Grant for Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky announced today that a Gary-based juvenile delinquency prevention program has received a $97,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living will use the funding for its “No Workshops, No Jumpshots” program.  According to an Edgewater brochure, the program gives at-risk high-school students the opportunity to meet with college-level and professional athletes if they successfully take part in workshops designed to reinforce interpersonal skills, teamwork, violence prevention, and conflict resolution.

Workshops offered to the students, who are identified in conjunction with local schools, include life-skills seminars, quality options training, tutoring in math and language, interpersonal skills development, guidance counseling, and stress management.  The program also uses participation in sports to reinforce responsible behaviors.

“The best way to prevent young people from turning to crime, drugs, and gangs is to give them positive alternatives,” Visclosky said.  “This kind of program not only gives kids something constructive to do, but it also helps them learn how to make the right choices in life.  This is important not only to the young people involved, but also to the entire community, and this funding will pay for itself many times over in the years to come.”