Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
PHILADELPHIA — Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Philadelphia Field Division announced the graduation of 25 Samuel W. Pennypacker School fifth graders from Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) last week.
“Congratulations! The skills you learned here are life skills for you and your community,” said DeGree. “For more than three decades G.R.E.A.T. provided our students the opportunity to meet and engage with our law enforcement officers in a learning environment and learn skills that can help strengthen our communities for generations.
The G.R.E.A.T. youth and community outreach program was launched in 1991 to proactively combat violent crime. It uses community-oriented policing tactics and community outreach to change perceptions about law enforcement, one student at a time. In Philadelphia, G.R.E.A.T. program instructors have focused on helping eliminate delinquency, youth violence and gang membership.
During the graduation ceremony, the students talked about what they learned, including making good decisions and calming yourself down if you get mad. Other students discussed the importance of communication and treating each other with respect.
ATF Special Agent Michael Baldwin congratulates his class at their Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program graduation.
G.R.E.A.T. instructor and ATF Special Agent Michael Baldwin told the class, “I’m proud of each and every one of you who participated in the program. Each of you represent the future and will determine and directly impact our community and country as these lessons are not just for now as fifth graders but are life lessons”
“You guys are sure showing a lot of confidence in getting up and doing the roll playing and the narrating,” said counselor Zita Collins. “I was super proud of you guys – those of you who were cheering each other on – you were all paying attention and taking advantage of the program.”
Their teacher, Erin Gresko, noted that she saw improvements in reading fluency test scores during the program, adding, “I think part of the reason was your willingness to read out loud and the role playing.”
The G.R.E.A.T. curriculum includes violence prevention, conflict resolution techniques, decision-making, goal setting and problem-solving. The elementary school curriculum is a six-week interactive session for fourth and fifth graders with an emphasis on family involvement. Students are taught how to set goals, resist peer pressure, respect differences, resolve conflicts and understand how gangs can negatively impact their quality of life. They also learn the importance of becoming responsible members of their communities.
Information on the G.R.E.A.T. program, its mission and impact on communities is online at http://www.atf.gov/resource-center/fact-sheet/fact-sheet-gang-resistance-education-and-training-great-program.