Program seeks to curb youth gun, gang violence in Randolph County

RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — In an effort to curb and prevent gun and gang violence, the Randolph County Juvenile Day Reporting Center is offering a program that targets middle and high-school-aged kids.

The Choices and Voices Gun and Gang Violence Prevention Program is a free class at the JDRC.

“In Randolph County, we do see some youth being involved in just unhealthy relationships with people hanging out with the wrong kids. A lot of times we see kids that are making decisions based on just not thinking and just kind of being very impulsive,” said Pamela Resch, Randolph County Juvenile Day Reporting Center Director.

Randolph County Juvenile Day Reporting Center’s Choices and Voices Gun and Gang Violence Prevention class pushes middle and high school students to learn healthy coping mechanisms and self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

“A lot of times with gangs, we’re seeing youth that are just looking for hanging out with people and creating friendships and they might get dragged into the wrong crowd.” said Resch.

The Randolph County JDRC has had the program for a year. This fiscal year, more than 330 kids have taken the class.

Students in the class say they’ve been able to leave the classroom feeling confident when facing challenging situations that could lead to gun and gang violence.

“Don’t let it get to you as much,” a student in the class said.  “Don’t try to handle it on your own. Go to a teacher or someone that you can trust”

Students are given real-life examples and discuss ways they can implement the steps they are taught.

“Some of the things that they’re talking about is, you know, really what being a bystander is,” Resch said. “So, making decisions of who we’re hanging out with, with positive peers instead of those youth that are engaging in the risky behaviors. And they can take that back to home to teach with their siblings.”

During the school year, it’s an 8-week long course held once a week.

Now with more time with students in the summer, the class is held 5 days a week for 2 hours Monday through Friday. There are 4 case managers that teach the class at the JDRC.

“I think it’s a good course for students to engage in just because even if it’s not prevalent and we see that type of behaviors or actions in our community, it’s good to kind of steer them away from it,” said Resch.

If your middle or high-school-age child struggles to make friends, self-isolates, or is in an environment with prevalent gun and gang violence, parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the Randolph County Juvenile Day Reporting Center to get their child involved in the free class.

The center also provides kids with transportation to the program during the summer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.