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. However, a significant amount of our work is focused on working with community partners, coordinating service delivery and providing intake and referrals of at risk youth.
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
ERCPCP sponsors activities to increase interaction, understanding and unity between youth and other sectors of the community.
Capacity Building
ERCPCP aims to assist other grassroots organizations to deliver valuable services and reach their full potential. We do so by helping to connect the dots between various organizations and programming as well as providing low cost fiscal agent services.
FAITH-BASED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM
ERCPCP’s housing efforts include the provision of transitional housing to its participants and affordable housing to citizens east of the river. Our housing program consists of a monitored, well-structured and a strictly supervised facility which has 24 hour on-site monitoring, curfews, random room inspections, weekly/daily groups, employment/substance abuse referrals, and drug and alcohol testing. Once individuals have successfully completed the initial phase of the transitional housing program at this facility, ERCPCP assists residents in securing long-term housing.
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.
Out of School Time Workforce Development ProgRAM
The principle purpose of the Workforce Development Program is to prepare youth in the Washington Highlands, Benning Terrace, and Woodland Terrace communities for the workplace at large. The program provides a practice place and group discussion setting to review, comprehend, and master the skills required to be a successful worker in today’s employment marketplace. Believing that the District’s southeast community is full of talented, capable, and skillful youth provides a pathway to future employment and self-sustainability. It is pertinent to provide our community’s youth with the opportunity to obtain gainful employment in order to become productive contributing members of society.
Region I Lead Entity and Rising Youth Coalition
ERCPCP serves as the DYRS Lead Entity for Region I (Wards 7 & 8 and PG County, MD). As Lead Entity we are responsible for establishing and managing a continuum of care for DYRS committed youth and their families in our designated region. These services are provided by way of a Service Coalition, a network of community-based organizations/providers, organized by the Lead Entity to provide necessary services to youth and families referred by DYRS.
United Prevention Services
As part of its prevention component, ERCPCP coordinates United Prevention Services, a program that utilizes a network of community organizations, youth advocates, government agencies, and youth development professionals to serve at risk youth and their families. UPS works with community partners that have the ability to engage youth between the ages of 12 and 21 and their families in a way that helps move them toward achieving immediate goals that assure long term success. The overall goals of the program are to decrease youth violence, increase public safety, and support a community striving for health and wholeness.
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.
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. Become a volunteer today! Click here for our volunteer application.