Bryan/College Station Eagle - Program aims to help black teens

Printer friendly version |

E-mail to a friend |

0 50 comment(s) |

Published Monday, August 25, 2008 6:05 AM

Program aims to help black teens

By CASSIE SMITH
cassie.smith@theeagle.com

Bryan police officers say they have an alternative for teens who may be headed for trouble: become a community leader.

The police department has partnered with local schools and residents to develop a program aimed at helping black teenagers become better students and leaders.

The Village mentoring program is a response to community input, Bryan police officer James Hauke said during a presentation last week to the Bryan City Council, and is based on the idea that it takes a village to raise a child.

Hauke said he and officer Bill Cross recognized the need for a program to guide students toward the right path while working as part of the department's Neighborhood Enforcement Team in the area around Martin Luther King Jr. Street. He said they regularly see teens loitering in the streets without anything to do, but wanted the program to be about more than just keeping kids busy.

Hauke told council members that there seemed to be a roadblock to helping kids in the area.

"We had two problems: we were white, and we were police," Hauke said.

Hauke said the yearlong program is designed to motivate black teens to become more confident, well-rounded leaders. The program includes racial and self-identity development, leadership exercises, and lessons in accountability and community and moral responsibility.

Initially planned as a five-day camp, the program expanded to a year as the officers gained input from officials at Bryan and Rudder high schools and Texas A&M University.

Heidi Sauer, an adviser at Bryan High School, said she was excited about the opportunity the program affords students.

Sauer said the officers asked them to find black students that work hard in school, might be the first in their family to go to college and who may need additional support and information to reach their full potential as students, leaders and community members.

Up to 24 students can enroll in the program, Hauke said, and the schools have already identified 15 that are willing to participate. The program has begun by introducing those students to black leaders in the community, he said, including Bryan Police Chief Tyrone Morrow.

Sauer said the high schools will stay involved in the program throughout the year by monitoring the students' academic progress.

The department would like to eventually expand the program to include Hispanic youths, Hauke said, but, for now, is focusing on pairing black students with black community members who can be role models.

Lyndon Pryor, a student development specialist at Texas A&M University, said the monthly interactions with students allow the program to address a lot of issues.

"In order for students of any race ethnicity or culture, we have to start by looking at the entire person, that means not only talking about their academics," he said, "but you have to look at things such as culture, identity development, values and simply the way in which our youth sees things."

Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Full terms and conditions can be read here.

Comments

(Requires free registration.)

50 comment(s) found!

Posted by: Ratz On: 8/27/2008

Comment Title:
I would not call it discrimination, rather starting somewhere. It is basically a mentoring program and numerous black mentors have already signed on. Are any of you interested in mentoring? Call the High School or the Police Department - Get involved.

Posted by: On: 8/27/2008

Comment Title:
The comments below that claim to be made by "former" law enforcement persons sound fishy...possibly disgruntled employees.

Posted by: On: 8/26/2008

Comment Title:
I think this program should not discriminate against anyone regardless of race

Posted by: Pancho On: 8/26/2008

Comment Title: Hispanics and white boys.
BISD student population is over 65% Hispanic. Why not open the program to these people as well? Or what about the white kids?

Posted by: On: 8/26/2008

Comment Title:
Did some of you miss this?=====The department would like to eventually expand the program to include Hispanic youths, Hauke said, but, for now, is focusing on pairing black students with black community members who can be role models.=====To me, this seems like as good a place to start as any.

Posted by: On: 8/26/2008

Comment Title: Had two problems
"had"? you are still white and the police.

Posted by: On: 8/26/2008

Comment Title: at least they try
I am glad to see someone trying to help with the problem. Unfortunately, I agree with the comments about it being a "black only" program. Why not just have a program for kids/teens no matter what color? I also find it interesting that a couple of white officers think that they can "fix" the black kids with their ideas. I dunno, maybe they can but it seems like another case of a man writing a book on how to be a woman or a multi time divorcee giving advise on long term marriage. Hopefully I'm wrong. It sure probably can't hurt to try. I really do wish your program the best of luck...

Posted by: Bryan On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
I agree on the program. We have to do something. At the rate we are sinking. Even CS is in our undertow.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Its ok we can still be proud of our downtown area that the city council is pouring money into......" Darn right, its downrite purty. I lik the Texas Reds Party. Only cost 4 hunnert thou last year 'n we give Fiestas Partyias 5 thou and make um pay 35 hunnert fer police protection. Darn proud o dis city counsil, specially major conlee. I liks that shiny hed and face.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
hey DRE! are you that pimply faced white kid that flunked the ebonics class I taught at AMC High School last year? I thought that was you. You still don't get it.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
not only would a white only program not be tolerated, it would also not be attended.

Posted by: JN On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: spend more money
Its ok we can still be proud of our downtown area that the city council is pouring money into......

Posted by: sj On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: about time!!!
I have to take into consideration that most citizens ridculing bryan are possibly not even from bryan or from college station. I personally grew up in college station and am ecstatic that bryan is finally doing something to help the minority teens. Cs students normally have all of the materials and ,ahem, money to provide thei children with afterschool programs to keep thei kids out of trouble. Heidi was a high school english teacher of mine.. Wonderful mentor and I knows she will do all that she can to make another student succeed like myself!

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Waste of time

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
I agree. So many posts ask why Bryan is doing nothing and when they do, people ridicule it. I guess they are the kind of folks I call C.A.V.E people. It stands for Citzens Against Virtually Everything.They will never be happy with anything so don't waste your time . Those types have a miseable existence.

Posted by: DJ On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Floored
I absolutely cannot believe all the comments condemning the Police Department for trying to help. Regardless of the color of the person, the BPD apparently saw a need, and they are trying to do something positive. Get a spine and quit throwing the race card around.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
"This may be the best way of targeting crime in Bryan. The chief likes it. He done a good job to-date." I agree. Also targeting prostitution seems to be a good indirect way to attack the illegal immigration problem. Five of the thirteen arrested for solicitation were illegal and held for INS. Go chief, Go!!!!!

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
We need the same thing in CS for the alcohol crowd.It is a drug,too. Did you hear how many arrests for DWIs and MIPs were made since Friday? ?? Dozens. I am scared to drive in CS after 7PM.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
"Let us hope it works in Bryan. We need something to work in Bryan." Gotta start somewhere.

Posted by: Go to the problem. On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
This may be the best way of targeting crime in Bryan. The chief likes it. He done a good job to-date.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
If a white teen only program were started, dont you know that the NAACP would get after them?

Posted by: Hopeful On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: LOST Dachashund Junebug
I really hope you get your dog back, if someone has her, find it in your heart to return her to the people that love & miss her.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
What would happen if we started a white teen program only?

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
No DRE, we are not all racist! There was nothing in this article that says "racist" and not all of us like what is going on in Bryan, only the drug addicted idiots like Bryan this way, and you say you like Bryan this way, HMMMMMMMMMMM

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Move to the county. CS is next.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
What about the rate in BISD.

Posted by: DRE On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: RACIST
MY SON JJ IS IN THIS PROGRAM AN IT IS DOING GOOD HE IS LERNING TO BE A MAN AND YOU PEOPLE DONT WANT TO SEE THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE RACIST LIVING IN YOUR NEIBORHOOD AND NOT KNOWIN WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE REAL WORLD WE LIKE BRYAN THE WAY IT IS

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Maybe if some 4Th generation bryan residents. Did not let the city go to hell. We would not be in this crime and drug Mess.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Susan the 70% Numbers is only some areas of Bryan. It is not the whole city. If you take the whole city it is only maybe 50%

Posted by: Susan On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Put down the crack pipes!!!
I could never let my family live in a town where 70% of the people have a "crippling crack addiction" what are the parents thinking? I wish those people could go to church and put down the crack pipes i feel so sorry for the people in bryan living the way they do when they could just move.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Why are people acting surprised about this drug problem in Bryan. Anytime you have open prostitution you have drugs. We have had hookers all over the streets for 20+ years now. The sale their bodies for Drugs.

Posted by: Betty On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Black only?
I understand that these crack babies need a program to help culture them to society but why only black kids?

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Sandy: The higher numbers are the west side of Bryan. West of texas ave. and Everything North of WJB. MLK,Waco,etc

Posted by: Sandy On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Wow
I cant believe that my family lives 7 miles from a city where over half the population is on crack that is scary to think about.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Let us hope it works in Bryan. We need something to work in Bryan.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
"Also why is this program for only blacks?" We have to start somewhere. This seems as good a place as any. If it works, then we can spread to other ethnicities. Anything is better than just bitching.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Latinos are about 30% of the population of bryan. Why did it not start with this minority group? Blacks are just 20%.

Posted by: RET. On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
I worked as a Deputy Sheriff BCSO. The 70% number looks to be on the Money. Over 80% arrested in Brazos County come from Bryan. The main reason the new County jail is full is it is full of Bryan addicts

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: What durgs?
I am sure not all Bryan Kids black or white or on drugs. Where are the drugs? I must be blind. I am a 53 year old black woman raised in bryan and Have never encounterd any drugs. Where do these percentages come from?

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: There's a big difference between ...
saying that 60 to 70% of a particular neighborhood are hooked on crack, and saying that 60 to 70% of an entire town is. That's like saying that 60 to 70% of College Station's women are snobs who suck down some version of hydrocodone and/or their kids' ADD medication, and live on the very edge of their husbands losing their job, and having their entire kingdom come crashing down around their ears.. Oh wait. Maybe Matt, Mark and Jamie are right ....

Posted by: Matt C On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: The problem is real
I am a former bryan police officer and i am here to tell you that bryan has a significant crack problem. I used to work in a neighborhood where i would say 60% to 70% percent of the residents were hooked on crack cocaine. Jamie is correct i know that stat is scary but is true the addiction is destroying the city.

Posted by: Mark On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Bryan
I agree with ths stats jamie used all you have to do is drive through bryan the residents should be ashamed of themselves. Why do bryan residents always act like they dont have a serious drug problem?

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
no kid is a waste of time!!!!!!!! WTF!!! are you thinking? Sounds like you need this program

Posted by: Nobody On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Where oh where...
do you get your statistics, Jamie? 60 to 70%? That is to say between my neighbors across the street, the ones beside me, and everyone in my house (10 people total) 6 or 7 are addicted to crack. It's not so. Not one of us is.

Posted by: Tom On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Waste
These kids are a waste of time.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: no way
a half cooked brain is terrible thing thats wasted.

Posted by: On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
I hope this works. it would be nice if they could support themselfs insted of growing up and learning to depend on the goverment for everything.

Posted by: Jamie On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Drug problem in bryan
I wish this program would work but the crippling crack addiction that 60%to 70% of the residents of bryan have will make it difficult.

Posted by: Truth teller On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title: Program for blacks
This program must not be working bryan is a warzone with crack rock at every corner.Also why is this program for only blacks?

Posted by: Cameron On: 8/25/2008

Comment Title:
Hmmmmmmmmmm, seems like race bias to me. If this was done for white kids, lots of folks would be playing the race card. Why is it ok to do things for blacks only, but if whites do it, everyone screams?