Excerpt from Letter by Bishop Richard J. Garcia, D. D., Diocese of Monterey

Providing Healthy Alternatives for Young People

“Young people are less likely to engage in violent behavior if they have positive alternatives. (For example) in Los Angeles, city officials realized that gang violence peaked in July and August during the time frame from 4pm to midnight on Wednesdays through Saturdays. In 2008, the city kept recreation centers open until midnight during those four days in the eight neighborhoods with the highest crime rates. The resulting statistics were impressive: the neighborhoods saw a seventeen percent drop in overall violent crime, including an 86 percent decrease in homicides and a twenty-three percent decrease in aggravated assaults.”  (41)

One of the best and most effective programs that I know of that transforms the lives of thousands of young people is the Moral Values’ Program in Sacramento, California founded by the Victorio Family. They base their program on five crucial and life-changing moral values by which to live:

1. Courtesy

2. Integrity

3. Perseverance

4. Self-control

5. Indomitable Spirit

I am working to create a program that incorporates these principles at the parishes throughout the Diocese of Monterey, and most particularly in Salinas, Watsonville, South Monterey County and San Benito County, that would encourage young people to come to our facilities for after school programs. I am hoping to develop programs that would include sports, homework help, job skills, arts and crafts and similar programs that would entice our young people to engage in healthy activities in the hours between the end of school and the time many parents return from work.  I hope that this program can become a reality in the very near future.