Luring teens off Haverhill streets

Feb. 03--HAVERHILL -- Summer in the city invites danger.

Hot evenings are the times teenagers are most at risk of getting into trouble on the streets, and it's the most vulnerable time for a kid to be pulled into a bad situation, police and community group leaders in Haverhill say.

"We don't want them to be in a position where they have to make a lesser-of-two-evils decision," said Brian Theirrien, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill.

Theirrien said a summer program paid for by the state's annual Shannon Grant helps fill the void between the last day of school and the start of the new school year.

"The overwhelming majority of our inner-city teenagers won't be going away on vacation, or even day trips, so by providing this program it gives them some excitement all summer," he said of a summer night basketball program at the club.

"We use the program as an incentive to get them into our air-conditioned club each night from 6 to 9, where we have a free nutritious meal, photography, dance, music, a computer lab and special events such as field trips," he said. "The bottom line is: Get them off the streets and into a building that has something for everyone."

It's winter now, but the dangers of summer are on the minds of police and groups that work with teens in Haverhill.

They got good news when state officials recently announced that Haverhill and Methuen will share in $82,667 through the Shannon Grant program. This is the 11th consecutive year these two communities have received money from the program.

The money will be used to help both communities prevent young people from getting involved in gang activity.

40 kids participated daily

Gov. Charlie Baker and Dan Bennett, state secretary of public safety and security, said they will release $5.7 million in competitive grants to communities and local organizations to bolster their efforts against gang violence.

The awards go to 15 communities -- including Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence -- and 11 research partners through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, which targets gang violence in the state.

"Shannon Grants support critical programming that provide education, training and employment direction for young people at risk of becoming involved in youth violence or gang activity," Baker said. "Our partnership with cities and local organizations enables crucial outreach to vulnerable youth, diverting them away from gangs and towards positive and productive futures."

Megan Shea, program coordinator for the Haverhill-Methuen Shannon Partnership, said the program is a collaboration with Haverhill and Methuen police. She said it also involves several nonprofit groups, including these organizations in Haverhill: The Boys & Girls Club, the Haverhill YMCA and YWCA, the POSE organization, Somebody Cares New England, Haverhill High School and Whittier Regional High.

Theirrien said the grant is making a difference in the lives of Haverhill teens.

His club's nine-week summer teen basketball program, which began three years ago, started with 65 club members and had an average daily attendance of 40 teens. They mostly come from the inner-city Acre and Mount Washington areas, he said.

A middle school basketball division met on Mondays and Wednesdays, while a high school division met on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The basketball season ended the third week of August with playoffs and an awards ceremony and dinner at Maria's Restaurant.

Theirrien said there is a measurable and positive outcome to bringing teens into the club on summer nights.

"We met monthly with police and they told us that during the times we were open, they saw a tremendous decrease in kids walking the streets, other than the kids who are on their way to the club," he said.

"Police understand that we're open from 6 to 9, so we're all working together to push kids to go to the club," he added. "As long as we see attendance rise, the money is well spent. As long as they are in the club, they are not on the streets."

Because of the positive response, Theirrien plans to open an hour earlier this summer with support from the Shannon Grant. The club will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.

"When we opened at 6, we usually had 20 or 30 kids waiting at the door," he said.

Throughout the summer, younger club members spend their days at Camp Tasker on the shores of Country Pond in Newton, New Hampshire.

Getting life lessons

The Shannon Grant also supports other programs that help teenagers, Theirrien said.

He said they include "Smart Moves" and "Passport to Manhood," where teenage boys -- guided by adult mentors -- learn about their changing bodies and the relationships in their lives.

"It encompasses the life cycle of growing up and its challenges," Theirrien said. "Each session includes open discussions about whatever topics the kids want to talk about."

There's also a "Smart Girls" program.

"It's almost identical, but the conversations will be different," Theirrien said. "There aren't many outlets like this where kids can talk about their lives. Kids need to talk about why their bodies and minds are changing."

Theirrien said the idea is to get teens feeling better and more confident about themselves so when they are put into a risky situation, they are better prepared to make positive life choices -- and that includes steering clear of gangs.

Teens also have access to a "Success Coach" year-round who offers homework help, mentoring and career planning. The program includes visits by people in different careers who talk about how to prepare for those jobs, as well as field trips to colleges.

Police meet with teens

Theirrien said the Shannon Grant also funds GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training), which is operated by Haverhill police.

"They (police officers) come in and talk to kids about making proper decisions, so their lives don't lead to gang activities," Theirrien said. "Kids are learning to make positive life decisions that do not include gangs.

"The gangs are here, they are established and organized, and our goal is to get kids to understand their are other choices than being involved in a gang," he said. "We work with them starting in fourth grade and up through seventh grade, then we steer them into other programs, including Passport to Manhood.

"Keeping the doors open during the summer from 6 to 9 p.m. is essential for positive outcomes for our teens in Haverhill," he said.

Shea said the grant pays for programs to help girls at the YWCA form healthy relationships.

"We have a Girls Circle program where we talk to kids about responding to situations and enticements to do things," Shea said. "The program is also taking place at Consentino School."

Shea said resources are being focused on teens living in the Acre and Mount Washington neighborhoods, which she said have the highest concentrations of low-income families.

"The idea to try to keep kids away from being attracted to gangs and youth violence by engaging them in healthy activities," she said. "The other intent is to build a partnership with police departments and community service agencies and schools."

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