Richmond Violence-Free Zone

In two years at George Wythe high school in Richmond, VA, the Violence-Free Zone program implemented by the Richmond Outreach Center (The ROC) has consistently produced significant impacts (see Results—Richmond VFZ). The school reports that for the 2009/2010 school year, fighting was down 26%, the truancy rate was down 68%, and dropouts down 63% from baseline pre-VFZ levels. Major reductions were also logged in gang activity and classroom/campus disruption. The Richmond Police Department also reported that arrests at the school were down 38% and School Resource Officer Reported Incidents were down 21% from pre-VFZ levels.

Individual students enrolled in the VFZ mentoring program also showed major improvements in behavior and academic progress. The students who were in the VFZ program for at least two school marking periods reduced the number of negative incidents in which they were involved by an impressive 60%. They also reduced absences and tardiness by 64%. The Richmond VFZ participants increased their grade point averages (GPAs) by 51%. Although the Violence-Free Zone is not an academic program, its goal is to motivate students to learning, and tutoring is provided wherever possible.  Youth Advisors work closely with Principal Willie Bell and school staff and safety personnel.

The Richmond Outreach Center (The ROC) was founded in 2001, and has more than 100 ministries providing a variety of services to low-income, at-risk youth and families. More than 1,000 children are transported by bus to The ROC every Saturday to participate in positive activities.

For the 2010/2011 school year, The ROC has eight Youth Advisors working in George Wythe High School serving as hall monitors, mediators, and role models, and acting as character coaches. They also provide extensive mentoring and afterschool and weekend support and activities. Website: www.richmondoutreachcenter.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Geronimo Aguilar
Executive Director
The Richmond Outreach Center (The ROC)
6255 Warrick Road
Richmond, VA 23224

Mailing Address:
PO Box 6415
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone 804-675-4101 FAX 804-675-4103
Email: jammie@theroc.com
Email: TheROCofVA@aol.com
Website: www.richmondoutreachcenter.com