IGNITE Youth Alliance

Serving St. Lucie County, FL

About the Program

IGNITE Youth Alliance is a mentoring program in partnership with more than 30 other community partner agencies, providing services and opportunities for youth involved in or at high risk for being involved in gangs, high-risk street activities, and community violence. Our strategies include intervention, prevention, and mental health activities to address violence in St. Lucie County.

IGNITE Youth Alliance is based on a national anti-violence model developed by the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and supported by the National Gang Center. The goal of the program is to reduce gang-related crime, community violence, and victimization in St. Lucie County by providing alternatives and opportunities for youth. The program is voluntary and there is no cost for participants.

Services Provided

→ Mentoring
→ Life Skills
→ Employment Assistance
→ Transportation
→ Pro-Social Activities
→ Assistance with completing probation sanctions
→ Re-Entry Services
→ Tutoring
→ Fatherhood Initiative
→ Boys Circle/Girls Circle
→ Targeted Case Management
→ Mental Health Counseling
→ Psychiatric Services

Who is eligible for this service?

IGNITE Youth Alliance serves youth (males and females) ages 6-24 who are involved in or at risk for involvement in high-risk street activity and gangs.

Males Ages 6-11

Serious behavioral issues at school or at home
Family history of violence, gang involvement, substance abuse
Academic failure, lack of commitment to school (truancy)
Bullying and/or fighting behavior at school/street
Victimization and exposure to street violence/trauma (friends/family members killed)

Males Ages 12-24

Family history of violence, gang involvement, substance abuse
Involvement in a gang or violent street organizations/risky street activity
Recently released from prison
Recently shot
History of violence/weapons carrier
Prior criminal history

Females Ages 12-24

Family history of violence, gang involvement, substance abuse
Friends (and significant others) who engage in the problem behavior (violence, gang involvement, substance abuse) and antisocial peers
Sexual exploitation/trauma
Academic failure, lack of commitment to school (truancy), bullying, fighting behavior at school/street
Victimization and exposure to street violence/trauma (friends/family members killed)

Program funded by