Youth Crime Watch of Chillicothe
Chillicothe, Ohio

A Positive Outlet
Youth Crime Watch of Chillicothe (YCWC) was established in December 1999, when a decision was made to become part of the national Youth Crime Watch network. YCWC provides at-risk children and youth (ages 10 to 18) with education and opportunity to become productive citizens. There are approximately 50 members, and about 30 attend weekly meetings. YCWC is open to the public; however, the majority of its members are from low-income housing projects or are referred by Children’s Services or other agencies. The program was founded by, and is under the direction of, Bill Stansberry, who is head of security for the local public housing authority. Other advisors include five AmeriCorps volunteers and parent volunteers.

YCWC is an alliance of area youth committed to community service and crime prevention. It empowers youth through mentoring and other positive activities that combine education and community action. YCWC’s goal and objectives are (1) to provide a positive outlet for area youth that will encourage active community participation; (2) to continue to build partnerships with area schools in order to provide coordinated supportive services for youth members and their families; (3) to provide opportunities for youth to develop positive leadership skills; (4) to enable youth to realize their potential as agents of positive social change; (5) to provide youth and families with education and training in the areas of diversity awareness, teamwork and cooperation, crime prevention, and prevention of drug and alcohol use. Finally, YCWC links youth as resources to the community of Chillicothe.

Better Choices, Better Lives
YCWC meets every Thursday and holds special events and activities at other times. Many members know substance abuse, violence, and crime as a way of the life because of their home environments. YCWC is designed to show that there are other options available to them. With education, community networking, and support, children and youth can break a destructive cycle by making better choices that lead to better lives.

Youth members do many community service projects, such as planting
flowers for the elderly, visiting area nursing homes, decorating for the holidays at housing projects for the elderly and disabled, cleaning up trash in housing project common areas and from the sides of local roadways, delivering Christmas food baskets to the needy, and modeling leadership in the youth community.

Activities are planned by the advisors. Youth often suggest activities and then vote within the group on which projects they would like to undertake. Youth leaders help to run the meetings and keep the group focused on the activities. Members earn extra points for speaking at meetings, working community events, and finding guest speakers or activities for YCWC.

Pride in Projects That Matter
YCWC’s success is seen by the number of new recruits who join the program. Youth members are excited and spread the word in their schools. YCWC has also developed good relationships with other community agencies that call upon the program to work local events and partner in special activities for the whole community.

From the very beginning, the impact of YCWC on youth members was immediate. YCWC members are transformed by community service: it gives them something to be proud of and helps them feel that they have accomplished something as a group that may
have seemed impossible to them as individuals. YCWC members learn that no matter who you are, or what hardships you have in everyday life, you can always give back to your community.

The Chillicothe community benefits from YCWC because its youth are working on service projects that matter right now! Most important, there is a long-term benefit for all because this program steers young people toward being productive citizens in their adult lives.

What Works
(1) Adult participation
(2) Agency participation
(3) Community support
(4) Financial support
(5) Youth interest

Spread the Word
This program could be used in other communities as long as there are advisors willing to put in the time and effort to start the program. Most often, YCWC groups are afterschool activities offered only to youth in certain districts.

YCWC advisors work very hard to publicize the program. Support from local media and advertisements for YCWC are sought at every opportunity, including at local events and with guest speakers. The program also spreads the word that its members are available to work on projects within the community.

Funding
YCWC is primarily funded by the United Way, but also seeks other funding through private and corporate donations, fundraisers, and grants.