Youth Crime Watch of America
Youth Crime Watch of America, Inc., based in Miami, Florida, is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing Youth Crime Watches across the United States and other countries. Sponsored in part by the US Department of Justice, OJJDP, it is a youth-led crime prevention/leadership program. Unlike other programs, where well-intentioned adults attempt to solve youths' problems, YCW gives youngsters the tools and guidance necessary to actively reduce crime and drug use in their schools and communities. With hundreds of programs throughout the United States and abroad, Youth Crime Watch programs are credited with significantly reducing crime and drug use since the early 1980s.
Background
Youth Crime Watch developed initially in 1979 as an outgrowth of Citizen's Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Florida as a direct result of an outraged neighborhood coming together against injustice following the rape of a 12-year-old girl on Halloween night.
The successful pilot Youth Crime Watch program was located in North Miami Beach Senior High School, where it saw much success. In the first year of the program's implementation, students helped to reduce their school's drug problem by more than half by pinpointing drug pushers. In addition, chain snatchings, a prevalent problem at the time, were decreased by seventy-five percent. Equally important was the change in the students' attitudes: they were learning they could make a positive difference in their schools and in their communities. Students were reporting crime, saw positive results and enjoyed significantly improved morale and school spirit.
Youth Crime Watch went national in 1986 with the establishment of Youth Crime Watch of America, Inc. (YCWA), a non-profit organization to support and continue the success of Youth Crime Watch by helping to spread it throughout the state of Florida and across the nation. Youth Crime Watch of America has earned national recognition by Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and Bush and was named a U.S. Department of Education Exemplary Program of Excellence. The program is endorsed by the Office of the Florida Governor, the Florida State Legislature, the Florida Department of Education and numerous local agencies and corporations.
Youth Crime Watch of America is helping new charter organizations form across the U.S. and around the world. It has proven so successful, that they have expanded to more than 20 countries across five continents including the Jovens Contra o Crime (Youths Against Crime) in Brazil, as well as sites in Jamaica, Canada, Haiti, South Africa and more.
Expansion to Ignitus
Ignitus Worldwide expands upon the mission established by Youth Crime Watch of America in 1979, empowering young people with the knowledge, confidence and courage to take control of their own destiny, and shape their own world.
Harnessing everything we’ve learned over three decades, Ignitus Worldwide unites the global youth community through service learning, character education, substance abuse prevention, peer mentoring (in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters), and the green schools movement. But this is only the beginning. The plan is to constantly evolve and adapt to the needs of each generation.
By preparing today’s young people to be active and engaged members of their communities, Ignitus is laying the foundation for them to become active and engaged adults.
Mission
Our mission is simple: To organize and support a youth-led movement that promotes civic engagement throughout the world.