Violence Prevention
Steering Youth Away From Gangs Through Athletics and the Arts
 sing a multifaceted approach to violence prevention, Communities in Schools of San Fernando Valley/Greater Los Angeles (CIS) has successfully redirected hundreds of highly at-risk youth away from gangs through its innovative after-school activities that integrate graphic arts, music production and martial arts.
CIS was established in 1994 by former world-champion kickboxer William “Blinky” Rodriguez, in the wake of a drive-by shooting that killed his 16-year-old son. As a result of the trust he gained among gang-affiliated youth following a face-to-face courtroom meeting with his son’s killers, Rodriguez brokered a landmark gang truce in 1993, which was signed by members of more than 75 gangs based in the San Fernando Valley. The Valley Unity Peace Treaty led to a 96 percent reduction in gang homicides in the Valley in 1994 and subsequently developed into the local branch of CIS.
In September 2005, TCWF awarded CIS a three-year, $225,000 grant to continue its violence prevention and youth development services for at-risk youth in the San Fernando Valley, Venice, Hollywood and the Santa Clarita Valley. Headquartered in the San Fernando Valley community of North Hills, the agency is situated at the center of a mostly Latino neighborhood surrounded by five rival gangs.
 “The programs offered by CIS provide positive alternatives for at-risk and gang-affiliated youth,” said Cristina M. Regalado, TCWF vice president of programs. “These kids are exposed to extracurricular activities that not only steer them away from gangs, but also spur their interest in pursuing higher education.”
The agency is a local affiliate of Communities in Schools, a national organization that helps prepare youth for adulthood by connecting schools and community resources. CIS’ local network of partners includes the Los Angeles County Probation Department; the Los Angeles Police Department; and the city’s L.A. Bridges I, L.A. Bridges II, and Youth Opportunity/Workforce Investment Act.
CIS serves as the lead L.A. Bridges I agency at Maclay Middle School in Pacoima. Through the gang prevention and intervention program established in 1997, the agency offers a host of after-school activities for high-risk and disruptive students at the school to direct them away from gang affiliation and toward academics, graphic arts, music and athletics.
Among these programs is the Boxing/Kickboxing Academy at The Heart of Champions Boxing Gym. The academy is open year-round to youth who are hand-picked by Maclay’s principal, teachers and law enforcement officials. Before each biweekly training session, the students receive mentoring and tutoring from volunteer undergraduates from UCLA and California State University, Northridge, and therapeutic counseling from USC graduate interns.
“The academy has been beneficial for the youth as it relates to physical workout for a healthy lifestyle and reduction of stress and tension,” said Rodriguez. “It provides an opportunity to teach them discipline, respect and punctuality while helping them to excel academically through our tutoring and mentoring portion.”
For more information, please visit www.cisgla.org
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