Youth outreach workers from Providence and New Bedford joined the youth outreach team from Fall River for an every-other-month gathering to exchange ideas on their work. The Providence group, which has been doing street outreach work in South Providence for the past five years, are employed by the non-profit Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-violence. The New Bedford workers are employed by the New Bedford Y.M.C.A. and Treatment on Demand as part of the H.O.P.E. Collaborative. The goals of all three groups are similar: to befriend youth and guide them away from gang involvement and toward pro-social activity. The Fall River and New Bedford groups are funded under a statewide Shannon Grant that provided the first year of funding to 37 communities throughout the Commonwealth. The grant was recently renewed for an additional year through a supplemental appropriation spearheaded by Governor Deval Patrick. Click here for photos of the initial training session for the youth outreach workers. For more information about the project, contact Youth Services Director Christian McCloskey at 508-324-2419.