Executive Director Doug Semark announced details of the 2009 Edition of the Annual Community Awareness and Donor Appreciation Luncheon today. Excitement is at a fever pitch for the Annual Event (since 2005) as preparations have been underway for several months. Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich will be the Guest Speaker.

Please click here to view the entire Invitation.

September 2, 2009 - Summer Youth Employment Program Culmination Event

This past Friday, August 28, 2009, GAP held its 6th Annual Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Awards and Culmination event at the GAP Administrative Headquarters in Wilmington, CA.

GAP hired 35 SYEP youths between the ages of 15 to 18 years of age for 4 hours, Monday through Friday. SYEP Youths worked in community clean up projects and attended over 20 hours of training and workshops that covered topics such as Gang Prevention and Nutrition, Job Training and Mentoring. All youths who successfully completed the program received a certification of completion.

To view press release click here

To view photos click here

August 20, 2009 - GAP PSA wins another award.

On Monday, June 29, 2009, GAP’s Public Service Announcement (PSA) entitled “Feet” received the 2009 Bronze Telly Award at the 30th Annual Telly Awards held in Beverly Hills, CA. This year’s awards was one of the most competitive entries, with 11,000 entries from all 50 states and a prestigious panel of 350 judges. The GAP PSA was recognized for its outstanding production.

To view Press Release click here.

Jamal Y. Speakes, Sr., drama teacher at Dorsey High School and Writer and Director of PHI’LA the Musical is hosting a press conference/cast reception and musical mixer on September 10, from 6 PM to 10 PM at ArtShare in Los Angeles, CA. Paige Hurd, GAP Spokesperson and actress from Everybody Hates Chris will host the Red Carpet on Friday, October 16th, prior to the shows opening which will run from October 12-18. For further details and ticket information for Friday, October 16th, please visit www.philathemusical.com.

For additional information, please click here.

Notice of Board Meeting

Wilmington, CA- August 18, 2008

The date, time, and location for the August Meeting of the Gang Alternatives Program Board of Directors was announced today by Executive Director Doug Semark, Ph.D.

The Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Administative Offices of the Gang Alternatives Program in Wilmington. The public is welcome and emcouraged to attend.

Gang Alternatives Program
Board Meeting

Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 8:00 AM
309 W. Opp St.
Wilmington, CA 90744

For more information or directions please call us toll free at (888) 292-9323 or (310) 519-7233.

Longtime Gang Alternatives Program Employee Daisy Ybarra was honored today at City Hall during a Los Angeles City Council Meeting as Los Angeles City Council District 15 "Pioneer Woman of the Year".

March is recognized as National Women's History Month. In the spirit of this observance, the Los Angeles City Council, in conjunction with the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women recognizes fifteen women who have made outstanding contributions to the strength, vitality, and enrichment of Los Angeles during the annual Pioneer Women Awards event.

More information can be found here.

Executive Director Doug Semark announced today that GAP’s Students With Accessible Technology – Mobile Learning Vehicle (SWAT-MLV) Mobile Computer Lab will make it’s Public Event debut at the Harbor Gateway North Neighborhood Council Health Fair on April 4, 2009.

In addition to the GAP SWAT-MLV Computer Lab there will be free tests for a variety of health concerns such as Blood Pressure, Vision, Glaucoma, and HIV. Pharmacists from CVS Pharmacy will be on hand to answer questions and distribute coupons for special offers. Entertainment will be provided and lunch will be served to the first 400 people. 

The Harbor Gateway North Neighborhood Council Health Fair is free to the public and will be held at 116th Street Elementary School, 11610 Stanford Ave, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2009.

The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides services and programs to promote a gang free lifestyle to young people and their families.  Every day, GAP’s positive impact is felt by thousands of people in multiple communities in and around the Los Angeles area – from Watts to Wilmington, Lennox to Lomita, El Sereno to San Pedro, and Harbor City to Boyle Heights. Our gang free mission is to eliminate the base of gang membership by having a generation of young people say “no” to gangs and “yes” to positive lifestyle choices. Funding for the SWAT-MLV generously provided by Valero Corporation.

Through the efforts of Steve Faichney at Valero Wilmington Refinery, Ultramar, Inc. provided GAP with a $10,000 special disaster contribution in the wake of the June Wilmington Warehouse fire, which cost the organization four vehicles and other major losses. GAP. Through the use of its emergency fire recovery plan, GAP was able to keep operations running and provide services to all its communities without interruption. GAP is working with its insurance company, the Port of LA, and Ford Motor Company to resolve all outstanding issues surrounding the fire.

The Valero contribution takes considerable strain off GAP’s employees and equipment, and will allow the immediate replacement of a vehicle. Thanks to both Steve Faichney and John Woodrum of Valero for their ongoing support.