Spotlight
Early contact with the juvenile justice system can disrupt educational and career trajectories as well as serve as a predictor of future involvement with the criminal justice system. After-school programs play a unique role in prevention, as juvenile crime and victimization are often higher during the hours immediately following the release of school. Drag Racing Against Gangs and Graffiti (DRAGG), an after-school program in Oxnard, California, helps students remain in high school, gain experience in a trade and network with positive mentors.
In 2009, two officers from the Oxnard Police Department floated the idea for DRAGG in response to a spike in juvenile crime. The innovative program, in operation since 2011, is an exploratory course in automobile repair and car customization. Targeted toward students at the highest risk of dropping out of high school and/or of criminal involvement, including gang participation, the program is offered in nine schools across Oxnard Union High School District. Students participate in afterschool classes twice a week, learning workplace soft skills and forging positive mentoring relationships with law enforcement and DRAGG program leaders.
Graduating high school seniors can apply for scholarships to help with continuing education costs such as technical college, community college and four-year universities. Additionally, DRAGG emphasizes community engagement, in part by inviting local business and community leaders to talk with students. Some local businesses have offered internships to DRAGG participants. DRAGG has served over 500 youth across the county, but the program’s impact doesn’t stop there. Hear from students directly, check out the cars built by the program and read a short article about repairing an inoperable vehicle for a family in need.
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