Youth Enrichment policy Program
The Youth Enrichment Policy Program (YEPP) is at the forefront of addressing youth and gang violence in underserved communities by inspiring social change through educational forums, applied research and public policy advocacy for organizations interested in improving the lives of youth who are affected by gang violence.
History
Today’s YEPP is an outgrowth of PBI's heralded Gang Violence Bridging Project (GVBP). Using the themes of “Strengthening Community and Family” and “Strengthening Youth Fortitude” as guideposts, GVBP developed programs to assist at-risk youth and former gang members to aim for a stable, positive, and productive livelihood through educational opportunities and diverting potential dangerous gang activity towards healthier and violence-free behavior. From 1993-2003, the Gang Violence Bridging Project served an average of more than 650 youth and their families a year through leadership development, campus tours, mentorships, tutoring, and support.
In 2005, the project evolved into highly regarded after-school programs designed to work with at-risk and high-risk youth and their parents. . The Youth Enrichment Project (YEP) addressed youth and gang violence by establishing a "triad" of feeder schools in underrepresented communities and providing tutoring, mentoring, enrichment workshops, and modified case management for high-risk (current and potential gang members) and other at-risk students. YEP focused on fostering safe and healthy communities by providing students with structured educational and enrichment activities designed to help them develop self-esteem and conflict resolution skills.
Today, the Youth Enrichment Policy Project, YEPP combines PBI’s extensive experience with at-risk youth in vulnerable communities with PBI’s strengths as a neutral convener on important and pressing policy issues. YEPP seeks to decrease youth and gang violence by establishing a setting where community residents, stakeholders and elected officials can unite and discuss the threats that put neighborhoods at risk. Through PBI’s's unique approach of working with community based organizations, businesses, labor, and education, YEPP is able to provide safe venues for civic engagement, policy advocacy, and public education.