The PGA team attended the Wilmington Chamber Business Networking Mixer on Tuesday, May 8th the event took place at the Banning Residence Museum in Wilmington. In this mixer the PGA team had an opportunity to mix and mingle with our partners, agencies and organizations as well meet Wilmington Honorary Mayor candidates.

We would like to thank our community partners for their commitment and support to the Gang Alternatives Program, and for their support in helping us guide our youth towards a brighter, happier future.

GAP Welcomes Captain Lauer to LAPD Harbor Division

The PGA team attend the welcoming of the new Captain of the Harbor Area. The gathering took place at the Grand Annex Center in San Pedro.

Councilman Joe Buscaino and Congresswoman Janice Hahn welcomed Captain Nancy Lauer to the Harbor Area division of the Los Angeles Police Department. We are excited to continue working closely with the Harbor Department to ensure that our communities and residents are safe.

A veteran Los Angeles Police Department officer with experience running the agency's criminal gang and homicide division has assumed command of the Harbor Division.

Capt. Nancy Lauer takes over a division with a recent spate of gang-related homicides that shocked Wilmington residents, and prompted marches for peace and demands for improved policing.

Lauer replaces Capt. William Hayes, who takes the reins of the department's elite Robbery-Homicide Division, which investigates high-profile cases in the city, including those involving celebrities.

"I am both honored and excited to be part of the Harbor Area team," Captain Lauer said. "I look forward to building strong partnerships with the community and I'm committed to serving it to the best of my ability."

Gap is excited to welcome Captain Lauer, and in her new leadership role. Her experience in the criminal gang and homicide division is a great asset in the city of Los Angeles need for a comprehensive gang prevention strategy. On behalf of the children and families gap serves, Congratulations and we welcome you!

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) hosted its "10th Annual Mitch Maricich Awards Event & Fundraiser” on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Carson Civic Center in Carson CA. GAP celebrate a decade of service to Carson. The event included a fun & casual “backyard BBQ” reception’ dinner buffet, live and silent auction, Corporate & Mitch Maricich awards, a commemorative program and a play from our 232nd Place Elementary STEP UP! Students called “Stop The Bullying Now!” It’s because of you that we are able to continue to do what we do. With your donations and continued support, it is our plan to not only continue the program in existing areas but to be able to expand the program to additional schools and communities. We count on city funds, grants and donations like yours to keep GAP active and thriving in the community. Whether you were a sponsor, made a general donation, purchased event tickets, bought and advertisement and/or made an auction contribution, you have helped GAP.

THANK YOU!

We offer special recognition to Watson Land Company and BNSF Railway for their very generous donations as our event sponsors.

EVENT SUPPORTERS

PERSONAL FREEDOM SPONSORS

Watson Land Company

Neu Foundation

POSITIVE LIFE CHOICES SPONSOR

BNSF Railway

Union Pacific

HOPE SPONSORS

ConocoPhillips

Kaiser Permanente

Puritan Bakery

SA Recycling

TABLE PACKAGES

Douglas L. Semark and Huikyong “Annie” Song

Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe

Rancho LPG Holdings, LLC

Tesoro LAR Refinery

TABLES

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

Warren Resources

SUPPLIERS

411 Graphics

Adwerx Communications

Idea Art

Meeting Wise, LLC

186th Street Elementary School

Carson Civic Center

Choura Events (catering services)

Oriental Trading Company

Terry’s Village

Click here to view our face book page and photos of the event.

The Gang Alternatives Program would like to thank Tesoro refinery for hosting the Fire/Extinguisher training for our CCU staff. The training took place last Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Tesoro refinery. The CCU staff learned the elements required for fire to exist, the type of fuel involved, hazardous materials, the class of fire, the resources required and available to extinguish each type of fire, effective fire suppression techniques, use safety equipment and hands on fire extinguishers. Gang Alternatives Program would like to remind you that in today's hectic world, your safety depends more and more on your ability to take self precautions on the little stuff. That means fire prevention is an important part of every one’s daily workday. Thanks so much Tesoro for arranging the fire training and extinguisher practice at Tesoro last week. It was both impressive, provide great public awareness and good safety training for our crew supervisors and staff. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, and the camaraderie was immediate and genuine. Our gratitude goes to the Tesoro Fire Department staff that worked with us that day.

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) is excited to announce that BP donated $5,000.00 to the Gang Alternatives Program (GAP)! On behalf of the GAP Board members, staff and the community it serves, thank you BP for supporting our efforts! We look forward to working with BP, and together we can help our young people choose to be me, and live gangfree!

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) would like to thank Union Pacific Foundation for donating $5,000.00 towards My Gangfree Life® Programs and Services! The Gang Alternatives Program is happy to continue its strong partnership with Union Pacific so that our generation of young people in can say "no" to gangs, and "yes" to healthy, and positive lifestyle choices. Thank you again Union Pacific for your continued support to "prevent our young people from joining gangs!"

The gathering took place at the Wilmington Senior Center, 1371 Eubank Ave.

There was a big turnout Tuesday night the local community of Wilmington, where concerned residents came together to work for an end to an alarming rise in violent crimes. After eight murders in less than three months, there are increased police patrols on the streets of Wilmington. Residents say they're ready to do their part to take back their community.

This first meeting of Wilmington United brought together school representatives, gang-prevention organizations, political leaders and church members to discuss problems with residents and encourage them to get involved.

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) hosted its GAP All Staff St. Patrick's Day Meeting at our WLCSC office and warehouse in Lynwood, CA, and hosted a buffet luncheon and staff activities.

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) is happy to announce that it received $2,000.00 from Hitachi in Torrance to support our “STEP UP” After School Program and SWAT MLV vehicle. Hitachi and the Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) have established a strong partnership. Working together to address the needs in the community, Hitachi supports GAP in providing its gang prevention programs and services. Many thanks again to Hitachi for its continued support in helping our young people "Choose to be me, and live gangfree!"

The PGA Team attended the Faith and Community Based Funding and Resource Seminar on Friday, January 20, 2012 in Carson CA. The Board of Equalization Chair, Jerome E. Horton and State Of California Treasurer Bill Lockyer hosted this resource seminar. This event provided us with understand on a variety of topics to improve our organization and the services will provide. These include: Forming Separate For-Profit Organization; Separating Church and State; Developing Affordable Housing; and Employing Traditional and Non-Traditional Financing. This information we receive made our organization stronger and better prepared.

7th Annual Peace March at 186th Street Elementary School, “Stepping Out for Peace”

On Friday, January 13th, 2012, the students, staff, and community walk around the

school for peace. Each class wear their Peace Games T-shirts, carry a banner to show

their commitment to living peaceably with all people, and encourage the community to stand for peace with our school.

Last week Congresswoman Janice Hahn opened her new congressional district office in San Pedro. Several hundred people attended the opening at 140 West 6th Street. Hahn wants the office to be very accessible to her constituency "this is a great opportunity to have an open house and let people know that we are on their side and any problems they have they have in the Federal Government, we are here to help them," she said.

Staff Holiday Luncheon

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) hosted its "Staff Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Sunrider International in Harbor Gateway.

Board Holiday Luncheon

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) hosted its "Board Holiday Luncheon on Friday, December 2, 2011 at Neils Pasta & Seafood Grill in San Pedro CA. Thanks to all of the board who came out to this event.

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) would like to thank BNSF Foundation for donating $7,500.00 towards My Gangfree Life® Programs and Services! The Gang Alternatives Program and BNSF has a long standing partnership with BNSF and the communities of the Harbor Area. Our mutual goal is to help a generation of young people say "no" to gangs and "yes" to healthy, successful lifestyles with safe and gangfree neighborhoods.

Many thanks again BNSF for your continued support!

* In photos: Dimmery Davis, STEP UP! After School Program Manager with LaDonna DiCamillo from BNSF Railway and STEP UP! kids

Wilmington Chamber Breakfast with Janice Hahn

The PGA Team attended the Wilmington Chamber Breakfast with Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Representative of the 36th District of California. Congresswoman Hahn served 3 terms as Los Angeles City Councilwoman for the Council District 15, which serves the Los Angeles communities of Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro, Wilmington and Watts. She is also a champion in advocating for gang prevention programs in schools so that students make the right choices by not joining a gang. She served as a Board President for Gang Alternatives Program (GAP), board member and GAP volunteer.

Congresswoman Hahn has continued to support the GAP vision in Washington to prevent our young people from joining gangs and our mission to eliminate a base of gang membership by having a generation of young people say "no" to gangs, and "yes" to positive lifestyle choices!

*in photo: The PGA Team, Victor Medina and SueAnn B. Abena with Congresswoman Janice Hahn, 36th District of CA.

Instant Recess® (IR)

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) is happy to announce that they received a grant of $10,000.00 from UCLA REACH to implement Instant Recess® (IR). The REACH U.S. initiative, focuses on sustainability to broaden its ability to disseminate and institutionalize Instant Recess® (IR) – an evidence-based strategy to integrate 10 minutes of physical activity in daily routines within organizations.

To read a news article about Instant Recess® (IR), click here.

For more questions regarding this award, please contact SueAnn B. Abena at sueannabena@gangfree.org.

FALL INTO LITERACY BOOK FESTIVAL

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) participated in the 1st Annual Fall Into Literacy Book Festival on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Wilmington Waterfront Park, hosted by United Way, Valero and Tesoro. GAP provided its Students With Accessible Technology, Mobile Learning Vehicle (SWAT-MLV) to provide youths at the event with an opportunity to gain hands on experience with our mobile technology lab, equipped with Mac computers. The event was free of charge to the community, and provided families an opportunity to meet the authors, book signings, live entertainment and games.

KAISER PERMANENTE GRANTEE RECOGNITION EVENT

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) attended the 2011 Community Benefit Grantee Recognition Breakfast on Friday, September 30, 2011, held at the new University Library at California State University, Dominguez Hills. GAP received an award of $15,000.00 along side other charitable organizations to continue to provide Kaiser Permanante's priority area of need in Violence Reduction and Community Safety in the communities of the South Bay.

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) would like to thank Kaiser Permanente and its staff for a wonderful reception and to continue in assisting GAP in its vision to prevent young people from joining gangs.

BREAKFAST WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE

The PGA Team attended the Chamber Breakfast with Don Knabe, LA County Supervisor for the 4th District. Knabe discussed future plans for the redistricting of LA County and other community related issues in Wilmington.

Supervisor Don Knabe has been a long time supporter in the GAP vision to prevent young people from joining gangs, and has worked with GAP Founder and Long Time GAP Board Member, Mitch Maricich to assist in continuing the GAP mission to eliminate a base of gang membership by having a generation of young people say "no" to gangs, and "yes" to positive lifestyle choices!