U.S. Attorney's Office and Fulton County District Attorney launch Summer Initiative to support youth as part of violence-prevention strategy

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Police Foundation’s At Promise Center hosted the inaugural event for the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Credible Messenger Youth Summer Violence Intervention (the “Summer Intervention”), a joint project of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. 

“We know from experience that intensive mentoring, such as that provided by our PSN Credible Messenger partners, decreases recidivism and bolsters community safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The enthusiasm for this project highlights the recognition among our partners, as well as the law enforcement leaders who support these youth, that prevention and violence interruption must play a central role in making Atlanta safer.” 

“Our partnership with the At Promise Youth Center is an important part of our effort to provide young people in Fulton County with a better path forward.  We are thrilled that the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Atlanta Police Foundation are working with us this summer to prevent violence through intensive engagement with at risk young people.  This program will help the participants live better lives and make our community safer and stronger,” said Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

The Summer Intervention will engage up to 20 youth between the ages of 13 and 17 who are on juvenile or adult probation, in a 10-week intensive mentorship initiative. Through 10 hours of mentor engagement per week, youth will participate in support forums, career readiness training, community engagement and an evidenced-based, cognitive-behavioral, life-skills session utilizing the Forward Thinking and Project EGRESS Curriculum.  Youth who satisfy the program’s requirements will receive a weekly stipend, made possible by a generous donation from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. 

This initiative is being implemented by a team of Southeast Credible Messengers, in connection with the PSN Prevention and Reentry strategy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Southeast Credible Messengers are a Community-Based Collaboration between organizations and individuals working together to achieve common goals: positive youth and young adult mentorship, recidivism reduction, public safety, and family & community engagement. The Southeast Credible Messenger team for this initiative, led by the Offender Alumni Association (OAA), includes Freedom is a Choice, Inc., EGRESS Consultants & Services, LLC., Mothers Against Gang Violence, Inc., Jump Forward, Inc., and Offender Alumni Association, Inc.

We would also like to thank leadership from the Atlanta field offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Atlanta Police Department for their attendance and support of this inaugural event to provide encouragement to the invited youth. 

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.