The Arlington Police Department and its community partners have launched the 2017-18 Mentoring Arlington Youth program at Workman Junior High School. A kickoff held September 13 paired adult mentors with seventh and eighth grade students. This year, the Mentoring Arlington Youth Program expanded to include girls. Their first meeting will be on Thursday, September 21 at Workman Junior High School.
Mentoring Arlington Youth was started in October 2015 by Lt. Tarrick McGuire. As a patrol officer, his encounter with a troubled teenage boy created his vision for the one on one mentoring program. To date, the 12-month program has graduated 18 adolescent males. With the introduction of a curriculum for girls, officers and role models from the community will now mentor 20 students on leadership and personal development. The journey is supported by positive interactions and problem-based learning that create sustainable relationships.
The Mentoring Arlington Youth Program is one of several APD youth oriented programs involving structured activities with officers. Research has shown that the MAY Program has impacted student perceptions of police through trust built during the development of mentoring relationships.
The MAY Program has been recognized nationally for its impact on community policing in Arlington. In 2016, the COPS Office presented its Anthony L. Sutin Civic Imagination Award to the Arlington Police Department. Also in 2016, the International Association of Chiefs of Police selected the program for its Michael Shanahan Award for Excellence in Public/Private Partnerships.
This year's community partners include the Junior League of Arlington, Arlington Independent School District, Arlington Juvenile Case Management Diversion Program, Camp Thurman, the Arlington Police Foundation and a host of corporate and nonprofit supporters.
Support Quality Education, Arlington ISD
News, Police, Public Safety