ER G N HA C E GAM GER N A H C E GAM ER G N Oceanside Youth HA C E GAM Partnership (OYP) By Kristi Hawthorne The Oceanside Youth Partnership (OYP) is a character building and mentoring program designed for juveniles. This 12-week program was put in place by the Oceanside Police Department in order to reach and help “at risk youth”. The OYP program helps to reduce juvenile delinquency, lower recidivism, and offers alternatives to street gangs, substance abuse, and perhaps a life trapped in the criminal justice system. Kids are referred by the School District, counselors, Interfaith, and the District Attorney’s office. The participants then go through a selection process that includes a personal interview and a parental interview. They want to see a “buy in” from both parents and the youth. Lt. Taurino Valdovinos, with OPD Investigations Division, said for years the focus had been on the enforcement of law, but he and his fellow officers wanted to focus on prevention and intervention. They saw what some other agencies were doing with a police athletic team, and a sheriff department’s program called RESPECT. OPD officers came up with a program that was fully supported by command staff, chief and captains, as well as the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association. The Oceanside Youth Partnership has become a “game changer” in the way youth and law enforcement interacts. The OYP program is focused on “at risk” kids but also borderline kids who might have issues at school and/ or home. The officers wanted to make a positive
impact in the lives of the youth enrolled, and they seek to establish quality relationships between kids and police. Because of this, officers do not wear their uniforms during their encounters. Sessions have 10 to 15 kids, who are typically high school sophomores and juniors. Six officers from Neighborhood Policing all share the responsibilities and each has a role. Each week of the program, the lesson plan focuses on different values, such as Personal Responsibility, Ethics, Service, Perseverance, Education, Courage, Trustworthiness, and Discipline. The Oceanside Police Department partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Oceanside, who allow them to use their facilities free of charge. It’s a neutral meeting ground for both the kids and the cops. This partnership with OPD and BGCO then in turn spawned a Leadership Program, which has had its own successes. At group sessions the students learn about current events, their horizons are expanded beyond themselves, and they play a version of the game of Life, making choices for the future and considering their finances. Physical fitness is emphasized through sports and gym activities. In addition, OYP Officers provide the experience of different cuisines, exposing students to new foods by taking them to local restaurants or having food catered. On another spectrum, there are youth who sometimes only get one meal a day, the one provided at school. After sessions the Officers encourage the kids to take home food served at the meetings. The OYP Team brings in guest speakers from various walks of life, introducing the students to positive role models, including businessmen and women, athletes, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and professors from area colleges. The Officers have seen firsthand how the program can make a difference on those who are invested. One young man asked a
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Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Journal
Winter 2020 | www.oceansidechamber.com
