88th Precinct Community Council

H.E.L.P. Program (Helping Encourage Leadership Potential)

H.E.L.P. Program

In 2002, Ms. Hunley-Adossa, President of the 88th Precinct Community & Youth Council along with Sergeant Dianne Stubbs & her 88th Precinct Youth and Community Affairs Staff created the H.E.L.P. Program (Helping, Encourage, Leadership, Potential)

Protecting the public against crime is most effective when residents cooperate to identify and prevent the most pressing problems in their area. Bringing the police into contact with the neighborhoods that they serve can forge positive relations based on trust, helping reduce resident fear of crime while improving the ability of officers to work with communities to solve crimes when they happen. In an era of decreasing resources, especially after the attack on New York on September 11, crime prevention offers a cost-effective way to make communities safer; community policing engages residents as well as law enforcement in that sizable task. By making the most of both, communities greatly increase their capacity to resist crime, reduce fear, and restore or sustain community vitality. Young people need to know that there are concerned adults who care about them now and in the future. This and all of the 88th Precinct's Programs aim to make a difference and guide the "at risk" youth in a positive direction. By accomplishing the above definitely impacts the communities well being. This, as well as, all of the 88th Precinct's Programs are matchless to any other that I am familiar with throughout the department and other communities. The 88th Precinct is to be commended on their tirelss efforts to help "At Risk" youth in our community!

***************** MISSION STATEMENT *****************
Our Mission is to instill self-control, self-confidence, and to build self-esteem through a regimented Paramilitary program, which provides the opportunity for the H.E.L.P. Program students to develop positive, responsible behavior and become good citizens.
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The H.E.L.P. Program is geared to promote and encourage our "at risk" youth to seek alternatives to violence, truancy, gangs and drugs. With half the population in the 88th Precinct Community under 21, juvenile truancy, gang activity, juvenile crime and drug usage is a significant problem. The H.E.L.P. Program is determined to curb juvenile truancy, juvenile crime(s), and gang activity and drug usage by teaching and developing the youth's self discipline, social and leadership skills.

The objective of the H.E.L.P. Phase I boot camp is to teach the participant's self-discipline, gang and drug abstinence, conflict resolution, career development and positive social skills. Moreover, the boot camp participants will be nurtured and mentored by positive role models they can relate to from their social environment.

The H.E.L.P. Program's staff wants boot camp participants to know that there are concerned adults who care about them now and in the future. H.E.L.P. staff members aim to make a difference and guide them in a positive direction. This program is in collaboration with the 88th Precinct, 88th Precinct Community & Youth Council, Kings County Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, the Army National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Eastern District of New York Probation Department and the Department of Corrections. Once participants graduate Phase I (boot camp) of the program they go on to being Junior Investigators and start Phase II. Once participants graduate Phase II of the program they go on to being Explorers in Post 2188.

These programs have received an overwhelming positive reaction from the youth, parents, officers and community at large. These programs make a difference! They definitely help in the fight for better quality of life. The H.E.L.P. Program targets young "AT RISK" youth, who are truants, under achievers, have had minor offenses, and drug usage. As well, address neighborhood safety and community/economical development. Moreover, the program promotes positive social interactions and youth development by addressing current youth issues. The bottom line is that it deters negative behavior, increases community safety and builds relationships with the police community and youth in the following areas:

- Decrease truancy, increase education;
- Restrict gang activity and decrease the risk of gang involvement
- Curtail substance abuse and Reduce violence
- Decrease violent and other inappropriate behavior and promote public safety
- Encourage health awareness (Hygiene, AIDS, STD/Sex education, sexual abstinence, etc.)
- Improve self-esteem and expound on empowerment
- Host seminars for anti-graffiti and neighborhood clean-ups
- Improve and demonstrate goal-setting skills
- Improve conflict resolution and other life-affirming skills
- Improve literacy and understanding
- Increase positive police communications with the youth & community value; and
- Offer alternative activities to the participants of the program.

WHAT ARE SOME OF OUR PLANS FOR GROWTH OR EXPANSION?

-- GOALS:
1. To expose children to realistic values and principles through literacy
2. To encourage good citizenship and help develop productive citizens
3. To Improve and strengthen literacy through youth services city wide
4. To increase the awareness of family literacy throughout communities – knowledge is power!
5. To foster partnership between after schools, community based organizations and other service providers
6. To decrease truancy and under achievement
7. To increase support of community literacy throughout businesses, local leaders and residents
8. Expand the programs and increase membership
9. Increase more HELP Program training sessions and enrollment
10. Decrease CRIME and increase QUALITY OF LIFE In all communities


For additional information call our Youth Officers at 718-636-6569.

Deputy Inspector Philip J. Sferrazza, 88th Commanding Officer

Email us
88-Community-Council@excite.com