Lanark Park teens dodge gangs, drugs (and balls)
Here's a big shout-out to all the kids at Lanark Park for their "Extreme Teen" program, which is designed to give young kids positive alternatives for "things to do" on a Friday night. The staff down there deserves a lot of credit, as does the San Fernando Coalition on Gangs and the great community orgs that sponsor their chow time.
Van Nuys Rec started a similar program and (I hear) Sylmar Rec is looking to do something in the same vain.
Let all the naysayers "naysay" all they want. The reality is a lot of these kids have to elude gangs and drugs on a daily basis, and programs like these can only help - at the very least, it gives them a safe place to go.
Keep it up kids, but remember, think college, collEGE, COLLEGE!!!