Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms (ATF), Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA), and the National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA) have created a unique partnership that introduces the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program to seven selected Native American Boys & Girls Clubs across the county. G.R.E.A.T.’s official slogan is “No Violence is G.R.E.A.T.” and works to prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement while developing positive relationships among law enforcement, families, and young people to create safer communities. The seven sites are:

What’s so GREAT about G.R.E.A.T.?
The program teams uniformed police officers, who have completed a mandatory G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (GOT), with school-aged children. They are focused on helping youth develop positive relationships with police officers, avoid potential community conflicts, be responsible, set positive goals and resist peer pressure. While traditionally taught in schools, thanks to the support and service of NNALEA, Club members now have a chance to participate in the G.R.E.A.T. program. NNALEA grants allowed select sites to hire staff to coordinate the program, provide equipment and supplies, and transport Club members.

Trained police officers work with Club youth to teach four life skills that empower young people to avoid violent behavior and improve their relationships with local law enforcement. Issues such as anger management, refusal skills, peer pressure, problem-solving, and conflict resolution are just some of the skills addressed during the thirteen lessons. In addition to the classroom curriculum, extra-curricular activities that serve to reinforce the program’s cognitive, social, and self-esteem building opportunities are an important part of G.R.E.A.T. Recreational games, outings, and participation in community service projects enhance both life and social skills and make young people aware of alternatives to gang involvement.

Reports from an evaluation conducted by the National Institute of Justice, indicate that participation in the G.R.E.A.T. program leads to positive changes – on average there was more pro-social change in the attitudes of G.R.E.A.T. students than non-G.R.E.A.T. students. Survey results show that students who completed G.R.E.A.T. reported: committing fewer delinquent acts; increases in favorable attitudes toward police; higher levels of attachment to parents; higher levels of self-esteem; increases in the number of friends involved in pro-social activities; greater commitment to school; and increases in the ability to resist gangs. In addition, parents, school personnel, and the G.R.E.A.T. officers reported high levels of satisfaction concerning the program’s effectiveness.

In partnership with law enforcement officers and volunteers, select sites have been working hard to implement effective G.R.E.A.T programs. Many exciting activities and positive relationships have evolved since July 2002. Native American Club members are learning how to resist gangs and choose more positive alternatives. Four sites currently operating the program on a routine basis, demonstrate the potential for the program as well as the successes already achieved.

Club G.R.E.A.T. Program Updates
Boys & Girls Clubs of Three Affiliated Tribes (B&GCTAT), New Town, ND
Five well-trained police officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal police have partnered with B&GCTAT to conduct presentations and trainings on gang resistance and the development of alternative activities. Community volunteers are also involved to assist students with the workbook, provide transportation, and arrange snacks and clean-up. Club members show respect for the officers and generally have many questions for the police officers. The G.R.E.A.T. program has given the community an opportunity to see positive results when law enforcement and the community work together. Jarret Baker, B&GCTAT CPO, reports that activities such as the Youth New Years Eve Social (Lock-In), Red Ribbon Week, Community Health Fairs, and Back to School Night Parenting Training, have brought youth, parents, and law enforcement together.

Boys & Girls Club of the Fort Peck Reservation (B&GCFPR), Wolf Point, MT
Jody Ackerman, CPO of the Club, says that Club members have a good relationship with Carmen Halvorson, their G.R.E.A.T. officer, and feel comfortable talking about issues with her. Ackerman reports that the presence of Officer Halverson has also added a sense of safety within and around the Club. The Club celebrated the program’s first graduating class (those who completed 100% of the lessons) in January 2003. Club volunteers chaperoned a field trip to Billings, to the Montana Women’s Prison and the Yellowstone Detention Facility where they toured each facility and held a panel discussion with inmates. Officer Halverson, along with Ackerman and other trained staff member Sarah Mensah, are pleased with the reaction of Club’s members to the program and Halverson’s presence at the Club. Funds for the program were used to purchase two mountain bikes to be given as prizes for a G.R.E.A.T. program essay contest focused on their field trip. Together, the partners continue to try new activities and find creative ways to recruit more teens. G.R.E.A.T. graduates may serve as mentors during the next program sessions. Click here to read more on Fort Peck’s GREAT program in the Wotanin Wowapi newspaper.

Cherokee Youth Center Boys & Girls Club, Cherokee, NC
“The relationship is like a best friend, it’s GREAT,” is how G.R.E.A.T Program Coordinator Nick Stephenson describes the relationship between Club members and G.R.E.A.T. Officer Rod Cooper. The kids love him and run straight to him when he walks in the door, “he treats them like his own kids,” adds Stephenson. Things are going very well and the kids are getting a lot out of the program. Parents think G.R.E.A.T. is wonderful and that it keeps them off the streets - other parents want their kids to join in too! The kids are involved in community projects and enjoy fun activities as well, like bowling or attending a semi-pro basketball game. Denise Ballard, Executive Director, is pleased that a G.R.E.A.T. Officer has volunteered to expand the program to their new Snow Bird unit.

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Cheyenne Nation, Lame Deer, MT
G.R.E.A.T. program coordinator Theresa Harris describes the program as one that’s about “building relationships between law enforcement and the youth in our community.” That’s exactly what their G.R.E.A.T. Officer, Al Holds the Enemy, is doing at their Club says Harris. He visits the Club regularly, Club kids recognize and acknowledge him in the community and say this is “cool.” At times he is out of uniform or with his family. Getting to know him and understanding what he does, helps the kids realize that there is more to being a police officer than they previously thought. Harris declares, “that is the greatness of this program!”

SuAnne Big Crow Boys & Girls Club Pine Ridge, SD
The SuAnne Big Crow Boys & Girls Club and the Ogala Sioux Tribe (OST) Department of Public Safety started the G.R.E.A.T. program to educate and develop attitudes in youth that help them resist involvement in the local gang community. Pine Ridge Village has experienced an increasing number of youth-involved gang activities; a progression of violence resulting in some tragic consequences in the small community. The Club offers the Pine Ridge youth positive alternative choices and helps get them off the streets. It is also helping to reduce the staggering 70% school drop-out rate. OST Public Safety provides the G.R.E.A.T. officers to run the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum and serve as the coaches and referees for the “5th Quarter Program.” The Club provides the facility, support staff, equipment, and expertise in youth development. Knowing that classroom structure alone would not hold nor attract youth, “5th Quarter” was developed to motivate youth to participate in the G.R.E.A.T. program and provide opportunities for healthy physical activity and a positive outlet. Since basketball is the most popular sport among the Pine Ridge youth, it was chosen as the first “5th Quarter” program. The program is a typical 13-week basketball league with one significant difference; there are five quarters instead of the usual four. The 5th Quarter is actually played in the classroom. One hour prior to the beginning of each game, the G.R.E.A.T. 5th Quarter begins where youth have the chance to score points before their game even starts! This creativity has led to increased attendance at the Club, greater participation in the G.R.E.A.T. program, and a greater understanding among the Pine Ridge youth of how to resist involvement in gang activities.