Sen. Charles E. Shannon CSI Grant
The Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative uses a youth development approach that focuses on developmental outcomes, such as becoming employable or building intellectual ability; achievement outcomes, such as graduating from high school/GED program or getting a job; and problem-free (prevention) outcomes, such as being alcohol and drug-free or not engaging in violent behavior.
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The Shannon CSI, administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), requires funded communities to adopt the Comprehensive Gang Model developed by researchers in the early 1990s and later adopted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) as a best practice to reduce gang violence. The model addresses the fundamental causes of gang problems and involves combining strategies proven to be successful in reducing youth violence and gangs. The five strategies identified are social intervention, opportunity provision, suppression, community mobilization, and organizational change.
The City of Fall River have received funding since 2006 through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for the implementation of the Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative. Overseen by the Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, the Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative is composed of community organizations, city agencies, and local law enforcement dedicated to addressing gang and youth violence in the City of Fall River.
Utilizing a collaborative and comprehensive approach, the group actively addresses prevention, intervention, and gang suppression strategies to attempt to address all components of gang involvement and youth violence. The collaborative works to develop and implement strategies, programs, and policies that address the reasons why youth join gangs and commit violence and promote a more peaceful community.
The Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative uses a youth development approach that focuses on developmental outcomes, such as becoming employable or building intellectual ability; achievement outcomes, such as graduating from high school/GED program or getting a job; and problem-free (prevention) outcomes, such as being alcohol and drug-free or not engaging in violent behavior. The Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative promotes this approach to the overall community in an effort to emphasize how positive youth outcomes will make Fall River a stronger community; without losing sight of the importance of active gang suppression.
Included in the reported measurable outcomes are:
- Suppression – identified youth list, warrant sweeps, law enforcement activities
- Social Intervention – street outreach worker activities, out-of-school activities, violence/gang prevention activities
- Opportunities – educational activities, job placement activities
- Community Mobilization – collaboration, events, media outreach
- Organizational Change and Development – steering committee, youth surveys
Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative Partners
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Fall River Police Department
The Fall River Police Department has the enviable distinction of being one of the oldest police departments in the country. Our long and proud tradition dates back to 1854, when the first constable hit the street to begin his tour of duty. For nearly 150 years, the people of Fall River have entrusted not only the authority, but also their welfare to the police. We have always endeavored not to abuse that authority and to hold their welfare sacred. With the advent of the new millennium, we hereby rededicate ourselves to our mission, utilizing the methods that we have adopted to steady ourselves on the course of service, pride and commitment.
The Fall River Police Department participates in several activities within the comprehensive gang initiative. Cooperation with the Sheriff’s Department, DYS, the District Attorney’s Office, Youth Court, the Boys and Girls Club, and State Parole are all part of the police departments normal interaction as part of the Shannon Initiative. FRPD runs a “Games Against Gangs” after school program and a Teen Police and Middle School Police Academy. Shannon funds also provide for officers to spend additional time in gang neighborhoods during hours when the gangs are most active.
Contact
685 Pleasant Street
Fall River, MA 02721-4305
Lt. Paul Bernier
508-676-8511
pbernier@frpd.org
Fall River Public Schools
The Fall River Public Schools engages youth in attacking conflict effectively. The target youth are high school students who are high risk of gang involvement. Project Peace, which reinforces the social emotional lesson of the Choose Love curriculum, will connect the youth with community and school resources and offer a fitness program. The program will connect the participant with community service opportunities.
Links
facebook.com/frpsinfo
fallriverschools.org
Contact
417 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Cyndi Couto
508-675-8367
ccouto@fallriverschools.org
Family Service Association
Family Service Association is a proud provider of Therapeutic Mentoring services to Shannon involved youth, providing education, support, coaching, and guidance of appropriate behaviors, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. With Shannon Grant funding, Family Service Association has been able to offer mentoring services to ensure that youth and their families are supported in overall wellness and positive youth development.
Links
frfsa.org
Contact
21 Father DeValles Blvd
Fall River, MA 02723
Allison Hague, LICSW – Program Coordinator, Therapeutic Mentoring Program
508-974-4558 ext.3103
ahague@frfsa.org
Solid Ground Psychotherapy
Solid Ground Psychotherapy Associates consists of a team of qualified professionals providing psychotherapy and assessment for children, adolescents and adults. As part of the grant, Solid Ground provides psychotherapy and assessment for individual, family and group therapy, to include trauma assessments and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (mental health counseling). They also provide professional development for staff on topics such as behavior modification, crisis intervention, conflict resolution.
Links
solidgroundtherapy.com
Contact
520 Locust Street
Fall River, MA 02722
Karlie Cessarini- Co-Owner, MSW, LICSW
508-679-4333
solidground4@sgptherapy.comcastbiz.net
Greater Fall River RE-CREATION
Greater Fall River RE-CREATION(formerly Community Development Recreation, or “CD REC”) is a non-profit grassroots organization whose members believe that all people, in particular youth, are entitled to the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a more equitable world. Our mission is to promote successful community/youth development and global understanding through fostering healthy lifestyle choices, providing structured activity, positive mentoring, and education for “at risk” populations.
RE-CREATION houses the Youth Outreach Program, which connects Shannon youth with services including education, employment, health services, and pro-social activities. Workers ensure that youth and their families are supported in overall wellness and positive youth development.
Links
gfrrec.org
facebook.com/greaterfallriverrec
gfrrec.org/youthoutreach
Contact
45 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Vicki Maniatis
508-679-0922
victoriamaniatis@gmail.com
Crime and Justice Institute
Crime and Justice Institute at CRJ is the Local Action Research Partner for the Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative. They provide research support, conduct analysis, and document the initiative.
Links
cjinstitute.org
Contact
355 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Michael Kane, Deputy Director
617-482-2520
mkane@cjiinstitute.org
Boys & Girls Club of Fall River
The Boys and Girls Club of Fall River is a youth development agency that offers after-school programs and activities that provide knowledge, skills and attributes they need to pursue their dreams and succeed in life. They continue to provide evidence based prevention programs emphasizing violence prevention, as well as mentoring programs for middle school aged Shannon members and safe haven with various recreational programs.
Links
fallriverbgc.org
Contact
803 Bedford Street
Fall River, MA 02723
Bill Kiley
508-672-6340
bkiley@fallriverbgc.org
United Neighbors of Fall River
United Neighbors of Fall River/Community Connections Coalition is a community coalition made up of residents, parents, youth, community providers, local government, religious leaders and state agencies committed to the goal of strengthening families and the community. With this mission, United Neighbors supports the Greater Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, to take a collaborative, proactive approach to preventing violence in our community. They organize a series of trainings on youth violence prevention in order to empower youth and direct care workers, with the culminating Peace by Piece Summit event.
The Community Mobilization Coordinator creates collaboration between partners while creating a strong initiative presence through marketing, networking, activities, and events in order to empower citizens to become involved in the reduction and prevention of violence and assists in the development of presentations, makes connections with the community, and helps to coordinate community violence prevention events, including the Peace by Piece Summit.
Links
unfr.org
Contact
209 Bedford Street Suite 401
Fall River, MA 02720
Wendy Garf-Lipp
508-324-7900
wendy@unfr.org
YouthBuild Fall River
YouthBuild Fall River engages at-risk youth in education and employment related activities. The program targets youth aged 16 to 24, offering an alternative educational experience along with work experience. YouthBuild combines elements of alternative education, community service program, apprenticeship, leadership training, and a community development program through teaching construction skills by building low-income and affordable housing while allowing participants to work toward passing the HiSET exam. The YouthBuild Shannon Coordinator provides Shannon youth with the opportunity to achieve success in education and job readiness by teaching soft and hard skills as well as improving academic skills, along with supporting youth in collaborating with partners on community service projects.
Links
facebook.com/YouthBuildFR
Contact
45 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Joe Barakat
508-678-19755
jbarakat@oldcolonyymca.org
Fall River YMCA
The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of the community. With a commitment of nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. Anchored for more than 150 years in the Fall River community, the Y has a long-standing relationship and physical presence not just to promise, but deliver, lasting personal and social change. Though the city may be unpredictable, one thing remains certain – the Y is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities.
The Fall River YMCA provides a safe haven for teens and young adults, as well as working with Shannon youth to provide employment opportunities and help them develop life and work skills, they can use moving forward.
Links
ymcasouthcoast.org
Contact
199 North Main Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Stephanie Mancini
508-675-7841
smancini@ymcasc.org
Fall River Youth Court
The South Coast Youth Court is a juvenile diversion program based in both New Bedford and Fall River. The Fall River Youth Court is an intervention strategy intended to prevent delinquent acts including gang prone activities. It is a referral based peer driven court operating on the principles of restorative justice. Youth Court seeks to hold young youthful offenders accountable for misdemeanor crimes and delinquent acts by having them make amends to those they have harmed and reconnect them in a more positive way with their community through constructive sanctioning. Youth Court provides case management and wrap-around services to Shannon youth and engages the youth in positive programming.
Links
southcoastyouthcourts.org
facebook.com/InsightSCYC
Contact
685 Pleasant Street
Fall River, MA 02721-4305
Yarry Romero
508-676-8511 ext.229
yromero@paaca.org
Bristol County Sheriff’s Office
Many ex-offenders leaving the Dartmouth House of Correction are gang involved or at a high risk of being gang involved, thereby placing them at an increased risk of re-offending as they return to their neighborhoods in the Fall River community. The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Shannon Reentry Initiative’s overall goal is to enhance public safety by targeting limited reentry resources on the most serious and potentially dangerous offenders. Success is defined both in assisting these high-risk former offenders to transition successfully into their communities as well as in apprehending those offenders who do commit criminal actions sooner and, hopefully, at less serious offense levels. The Bristol County Sheriff’s office utilizes a Community Mentor to provide case management services to individuals about to be released or already released.
Links
bcso-ma.us
Contact
400 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
Ana Arruda
508-995-1311
anaarruda@bcso-ma.org
Bristol County District Attorney
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office will dedicate a Prosecutor Michael A. Cahillane to concentrate exclusively on cases involving gun, drug, assault, and gang related violence in the greater Fall River area. The prosecutor will take proactive investigative measures to disrupt gang activities and organizations. The prosecutor will also take a tough stand against gun violence as guns and gangs are inextricably interwoven and will collaborate with local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure successful prosecution through information sharing and developing best practices to combat gang violence. The prosecutor will also conduct community education on gang, gun, assault, and drug related crimes. The goal of focused prosecution and community education is to deter individuals from engaging in gang violence and thereby protect the citizens of Fall River. The office is committed to introducing legislation, allocating resources and supports, and providing every opportunity necessary for a well-rounded and all-encompassing approach to addressing the issues of gun and gang-related violence in a permanent and effective manner.
Links
bristolda.com
Contact
Fall River Justice Center/Superior Court 186 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02721
Michael A. Cahillane
774-627-1615
Michael.A.Cahillane@state.ma.us
MassHire Bristol
MassHire Bristol includes organizations that oversee and operate the region’s public workforce development system. These include the MassHire Bristol Workforce Board and the MassHire Bristol Career Centers located in Fall River, Taunton and Attleboro. Within the Career Center system is the MassHire Youth Connection office, Fall River’s Youth Career Center.
The MassHire Bristol Workforce Board (MHBWB) is charged with overseeing and implementing workforce development initiatives in the Greater Fall River, Taunton and Attleboro areas. The goal of the MHBWB is to develop a truly universal integrated world class workforce development system, serving the current and future workforce and all workforce entities.
The MassHire Bristol Career Centers serve as a vital link between workers and employers to bring about economic opportunity. The MassHire Centers provide a variety of employment related services for job seekers and businesses and serve as a vital link between workers and employers to bring about economic opportunity. Its mission is to provide a vehicle to enable employers and individuals to maximize their opportunities for economic prosperity. Area youth are an important target group for services. All youth in the city are able to access the wide array of services available at the Youth Connection, including: job placement assistance, work readiness workshops and education/ vocational training assistance.
MassHire Bristol through Charles E. Shannon funding is able to provide comprehensive career and education services to the most at-risk youth in Fall River. Shannon youth receive career and education case management services to assist the youth in establishing a foundation to address issues and set goals. The services offered to the city’s youth include: career readiness training, career exploration activities, subsidized work experience, professional development, education/vocational training services and social supports in the form of referrals.
Links
masshirebristol.org
Contact
139 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02721
Sally Pais
508-675-9245
ccouto@fallriverschools.org
Fall River Health & Human Services
The Grant Coordinator for the Senator Charles E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative coordinates, guides, and oversees community goals and strategies to reduce gang activity and youth violence. This position promotes community capacity-building to sustain the anti-gang efforts beyond the funding period and address social and economic issues that contribute to the gang activity and youth violence.
In addition, the Grant Coordinator:
- Facilitates the city’s comprehensive anti-gang response, ensuring a balance of prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies with modifications based on what is working.
- Provides day-to-day fiscal and programmatic administration of the city’s comprehensive anti-gang efforts; administers contracts with service providers.
- Promotes clear lines of communication and direction between involved agencies and groups.
- Coordinates meetings of the city’s anti-gang steering committee, subcommittees, and coalition.
- Coordinates ongoing data collection with the research partner engaged to assess the effectiveness of the city’s anti-gang response; participates in consideration and review of assessment strategies and monitors the progress of the assessment process.
- Files reporting requirements with EOPSS and participates in all state-wide Shannon functions.
- Engages city-based institutions (e.g., criminal justice, schools, social services) in addressing contributing factors to the city’s youth gang problem (e.g., lack of social and economic opportunities, neighborhood disintegration, poverty, discrimination, inadequate and inappropriate social controls).
- Seeks grant funding to sustain the city’s anti-gang efforts; coordinates gang-related grant proposals among the various community agencies.
- Participates in community response to gang-related incidents as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.