McKeon, Victorville Leaders Announce Federal Funding for Uturn Gang Prevention Program

Press Release

McKeon, Victorville Leaders Announce Federal Funding for Uturn Gang Prevention Program

At a district press conference earlier today, Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (CA-25) and several Victorville city, business, and education leaders announced the federal funding allocation for Uturn, a new gang prevention program that aims to strengthen the family structure and build a sense of community in youth to diminish the attraction to gang organizing.

"There has been a gradual uptick in the number of gang members organizing across California and even close to home in the Victorville area of my district," said McKeon. "Uturn is a true community effort to rein in gang growth and improve area schools. It has wide public support that uses an effective family and community approach to tackling the gang issue."

The City of Victorville high desert region is now home to 160 identified gangs, with more than 2,000 gang members. These gangs have migrated from the San Bernardino and Los Angeles areas.

City of Victorville Council Member, JoAnn Almond, hopes to see the Uturn program make a difference and decrease the number of gangs in the community.

"Our children and our neighborhoods deserve to have a bright and secured future and Congressman McKeon's contributions will strengthen the Uturn program," Almond said.

Another Council Member, Ryan McEachron, echoed Almond enthusiasm for the program:

"Partnerships with our local community agencies and the government are instrumental to the continued success of the Uturn program."

Uturn Gang Prevention Strategy will focus on at-risk youth 10 through 14 years of age, along with their immediate families. The focal point will be three areas of accountability: Home, school and community. Each customized program will identify areas of responsibility, goals, and tasks for each family member, including mandatory volunteer time with a local charity or community organization. Uturn families will participate in various meetings every year, life skills interaction, family counseling sessions, family trips, including family and community projects. Individual family members will also receive individual counseling as needed.

"I'm looking forward to working with the City of Victorville on this important issue and am thankful for their leadership and strategy for gang prevention," McKeon continued. "Our collective goal is to ultimately eliminate gangs from our hometowns and communities and provide safe, secure environments for our youth. By targeting 18 schools in the Victorville area, community leaders, families, and law enforcement have a strong, coordinated effort in place to limit - and hopefully eradicate - gang violence."

The City of Victorville's Mayor, Rudy Cabriales, says he pleased that Uturn is receiving federal support.

"With the financial support from Buck McKeon, we now have the resources to effectively continue our pursuit of better generations to come through the Uturn program," said Cabriales. "There is strength in numbers."

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