Ceasefire Program
Providing an Opportunity to Turn Things Around
The City of Yonkers, like several other cities around the
country, has adopted the innovative Ceasefire model to offer
gang-involved young people a chance to turn their lives
around. In July of 2007, approximately 25 gang- involved
young people on probation or parole representing a variety
of street gangs were mandated to attend a meeting at Yonkers
City Hall. The message from law enforcement was clear: There
would be more severe consequences for criminal actions than
ever before; however there would be more services and opportunities
available than ever before. The choice was left to the young
men.
Westhab's message was clear as well; it was the same message
we give to the youth in all of our programs: There is hope.
In partnership with the Yonkers Employment Center, Westhab
created an individualized service plan for each of these
young men that includes, as appropriate, finding suitable
training and employment, relocating to housing in a new
neighborhood, and adopting productive, law abiding lifestyles.
Our Ceasefire Counselor is available twenty-four hours a
day,. He conducts outreach and coordinates services for
the young men and works with them and their families in
all aspects of their transition out of gang life.
Our services are enabling young men to make lasting changes.
The message to stop the violence is permeating the city,
as gun crimes are down significantly in Yonkers since the
start of the program. While the other Westhab Youth Services
programs are designed to prevent young people from going
down the wrong path, we are always invested in giving people
a second chance. We are instilling in these young men the
belief that they can change their lives for the better and
are providing them with the resources to make it happen.
