Press Release

On Saturday, February 8, 2003, at Montebello High School in Montebello, Sheriff Lee Baca awarded diplomas to at-risk teenagers who completed the V.I.D.A. program. In awarding diplomas to 200 young men and women, Sheriff Baca stated, "I am extremely proud of these young men and women for displaying the dedication it takes to complete this training program." Monique Ruiz, one of the program graduates, spoke to the audience about the positive impact the V.I.D.A. program had made on her life. Sheriff Baca also presented a $500 scholarship check to the top male graduate and top female graduate in the V.I.D.A. program.

The V.I.D.A. graduates are from Altadena, Santa Clarita Valley, Temple, Walnut/Diamond Bar, San Dimas, Norwalk, Lakewood, Pico Rivera, Industry, Lancaster, Century, Carson, West Hollywood, Lennox, Palmdale, East Los Angeles, Malibu/Lost Hills, Lomita, Marina del Rey, and Compton Stations.

The V.I.D.A. program is specifically designed to deal with youth by utilizing proactive, innovative techniques for positive redirection. Overseen by law enforcement personnel, the program offers treatment, prevention and punitive components to alter negative behavior. The most typical scenario involves referrals from the courts to the Sheriff's Department and requests from parents to have their children admitted to the program. Once admittance has been approved, the minor is directed to the program's available components, including anger management, family counseling, mentoring, educational assistance, health training and physical fitness, career guidance, tattoo removal, and community services, including graffiti removal, and weed and trash abatement.

In addition, clergy members from various communities throughout the County were in attendance to offer aftercare support for the students and their families.

"It's about building a strong working partnership between law enforcement, community-based organizations, schools, and families so that these kids can have a second chance. It's about intervention in an effort to break a cycle that has no future," added Sheriff Baca.

SHB-14A-03

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February 11, 2003