Advocacy Plan to start an after school program to promote academics and crime-free safe space. Problem: With gang violence on the rise, children need a safe place where they will not be easily influenced by the violence around them and will have opportunities to better their education.
by Julia Schneck
1. Children within the community, Allentown Community, Allentown School DIstrict
2. Long Term: To create multiple spaces for preteens and teens to go to avoid crime as well as to help with academics 5 days a week from 3pm-6pm during the school year and have a summer program which is 5 days a week (10am-6pm) to bridge the achievement gap, promote safe, violence-free living, and creating a path to a better future all over the country. Short Term: To create a safe space for children susceptible to gang recruitment and violence that will increase test scores.
3. Constituents
4. Allies
4.1. Principal, teachers, community, Allentown Police Department, Volunteers
5. Opponents
5.1. Administration, school boards, gang members
6. Targets
6.1. Primary: Principals, administration, colleagues, and police department Secondary: Local Businesses, families, community, colleges, volunteers
7. Goals:
8. Network and Coalitions
8.1. I will reach out to local businesses, colleges, the Allentown Police Department, and community groups for support. I will work with organizations such as 21st Century, America After 3PM, Lights On, Stop the Violence, and PBS39.
9. Tactics:
9.1. Using social media, a letter campaign, and posters, I will spread information about statistics and promote benefits. Different strategies will be used for: -administration -teachers -community -local businesses -local schools (high school and college) -college administration -police department -restaurants -coalitions
10. Timeline
10.1. • Gather information to create plan • Reach out to Administration with proposal • Reach out to local community, businesses, restaurants, colleges, high schools, educators, and families to educate on the issue, raise support, and request volunteers and/or donations • Start with a lower number of students to conduct research to prove successful • Grow programs (more volunteers, students, and space) with successful data with networking • Start fundraising to promote program financially • Continue increasing knowledge on program so it can expand to other cities, counties, states, etc.
