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Since its genesis in August 1999, the East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership (ERCPCP) has made dramatic strides in reducing violent crime among youths in the Southeast area of Washington, D.C. The Southeast section has the city’s highest rates of homicide, highest rates of teen pregnancy, and lowest rates of educational achievement. The collaboration among churches, law enforcement, social service agencies and area residents holds considerable promise to begin renewal and rebirth in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River.
ERCPCP’s mission is to reverse the incidence of violent crimes, reduce the rate of recidivism, and foster educational achievement. It works with youth already in the criminal justice system or at greatest risk of dropping out of school. An intervention based model, ERCPCP seeks to change the direction of youth who perpetrate violent crimes and serve as new recruits for violence and failure because of educational dysfunction and disinterest.
ERCPCP provides some direct services, but moreso works with numerous community partners, coordinating service delivery and providing intake and referrals of at risk youth.
School Based Programs
The Ballou Project
On site staff from ERCPCP hosts a daily In-School Suspension Program which allows youth who are being disciplined an opportunity to remain in a structured learning environment and to focus on the root of their negative behavior. In addition, ERCPCP works with a youth leadership council comprised of both male and female students at Ballou.
Value Centered Outreach Activities
ERCPCP sponsors several special events to reach out to at-risk young people in the community. Among them are the 40 Days of Increased Peace, the Girl Talk Conference and the Man 2 Man Conference.
Community Based Programs
Breaking Down Barriers
ERCPCP sponsors activities to increase interaction, understanding and unity between youth and other sectors of the community.
Clergy Response Team
ERCPCP Sponsors teams of clergy and other faith-based individuals that reach out to the families, next of kin and other secondary victims of violent crimes and homicide. Its purpose is to provide aid, counseling and assistance to victims, witnesses and their families and to intervene in the occurrence of retaliation.
Benning Terrace
In response to the increased incidents of auto theft and vehicular homicide occurring in the Benning Terrace/Benning Heights area in August, 2003, East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership (ERCPCP) assumed a coordinating role for several organizations and groups who sought positive change for those living in Benning Terrace. Over the past 4 years, a myriad of programs, services, and resources have impacted this public housing community, helping it to become a safe, healthy, and self-sustaining neighborhood.
Henson Ridge Youth Leadership Council
The Henson Ridge Youth Leadership Council (HRYLC) has been designed to work with a group of ten carefully selected youth, to train them in leadership skills, life-skills, and teamwork development, through the implementation of a curriculum, workshops, and fieldtrips; subsequently empowering them to be leaders in their communities.
Frederick Douglass Memorial Weed & Seed
ERCPCP coordinates this Weed & Seed community where law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" violent criminals and drug abusers and public agencies and community-based private organizations collaborate to "seed" much-needed human services. A community-oriented policing component bridges the weeding and seeding elements.
Violence Intervention Partnership
The Violence Intervention Partnership (VIP) is a public safety initiative involving a collaborative effort by community leaders, law enforcement officers, government agencies, faith-based institutions, community-based organizations, educators, and social outreach workers. Its mission is to reduce violence among at-risk youth and young adults in communities east of the Anacostia River by developing innovative law enforcement, conflict resolution, and intervention and prevention strategies.
Woodland Terrace
The Woodland Terrace Public Housing Safety Initiative works to meet the needs of families in the Woodland Terrace community. This is done by identifying young people 8-27 years of age, , developing assets for positive development via community strengthening activities, and sustaining programming by creating collaborations and partnerships with other service and community organizations.
Re-Entry Programs
CSOSA Faith Based Reintegration Initiative
Introduced in 2001, the Faith Based Reintegration Initiative aims to pair men and women returning from incarceration with pro-social persons from the faith community to assist in the reentrants’ transition into the community. In partnership with numerous churches in Wards 7 & 8 and Maryland, over 200 men and women have been successfully supported through this initiative.
Housing Program
ERCPCP in partnership with Johnson Memorial Baptist Church (JMBC) has moved into the housing arena with the intent of providing transitional housing to its participants and affordable housing to citizens east of the river. Our housing efforts include the purchase and renovation of a 14 unit apartment building in Congress Heights which is currently being used to house recently released re-entrants.
Other Services
AmeriCorps*VISTA
ERCPCP has teamed up with AmeriCorps*VISTA and acquired several volunteers to assist in our organizational capacity building in several program areas.
Volunteer Opportunities
ERCPCP has many volunteer opportunities for individuals wanting to serve their community. Our volunteer activities range from assisting with planning and organizing an event, to mentoring a young person. Click here for our volunteer application.
Combined Federal Campaign Designation Number
31960
East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership, Inc.
4105 First Street, SE · Washington, DC 20032 · (202) 373-5767 phone · (202) 373-5769 fax
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