At the PAL in Longwood a program helps teens on probation
By Paul Bufano
pbufano@hunter.cuny.edu
Paul Ferazi, center, surrounded by staff members and teens from the Youth Link program at the Longwood PAL.
Four years ago, a teenager named David was arrested for assault. He faced incarceration and a familiar spiral into more trouble.
Today, David (who like all the young people in this story asked that his last name not be published) has a good job in construction, a high school diploma and some college credits. Recently, he stopped by the Police Athletic League on Longwood Avenue to say thank you to Bobby Ferazi, the man he says helped turn his life around.
When he was arrested, the Department of Probation connected David to Youth Link, an offshoot of the PAL founded by Ferazi. Youth Link works with juvenile delinquents, ages 12-16, in an effort to keep them off the streets and away from any further criminal activity.
“Every kid is reachable. It just depends on how much baggage they come with and how many layers we have to go though to reach them,” said Ferazi, who now serves as Youth Link’s Director of Juvenile Justice and Re-entry Services. “These aren’t bad kids; they’re just kids who’ve made bad choices,” he continued. “Many of them are dying for an opportunity to make a change.”
Malik, age 16, has been in the program since April. Charged with robbery, he was in danger of being sent to a detention center. Instead, when he was referred to Youth Link by the Legal Aid Society, the judge allowed him to attend the program with constant supervision by the court.
“If I didn’t get sent to PAL I almost definitely would have done something stupid again, Malik said in a recent interview, “and probably would have been locked up right now. Now I can truthfully say those days are behind me.”
All the youths involved with Youth Link are on probation for a variety of crimes, ranging from graffiti to drug use, robbery and assault. The Department of Probation refers most of them, but the Legal Aid Society, which provides free legal services to New Yorkers who can’t afford to hire a lawyer, refers a small percentage as well.
Youth Link serves as a place for those like 17-year-old Francisco, who was charged with robbery. He wanted to turn his life around, but just didn’t know how to go about it.
“Before I even got arrested I wanted to clean up my act,” said Francisco. “If it wasn’t for Youth Link I would still be on the streets, and that’s the last place I want to be.
Youth Link’s requirements are simple: in addition to meeting with a probation officer weekly, every participant has to spend at least two days a week in the program, in an individual counseling session and a one one-hour group workshop that focuses on life lessons and social issues.
“This program is good because it’s teaching me about life and how to stay off the streets,” said 14-year-old Somara. Although a judge dismissed charges against her, her lawyer thought she could benefit from the program to avoid further arrests. “I come here four times a week, and it’s not because I have to; it’s because I want to, she said. I enjoy working with the kids, and I like doing something with myself.”
As it does for Somara, Youth Link appeals to many participants because of the variety of recreational activities it provides. They can participate in board games, basketball, weight training, wrestling, and even rock climbing. The program also offers educational workshops, as well as individualized attention for those who are struggling academically.
Some of the young people are able to take advantage of internship opportunities. Currently, a state grant offers a 12-week internship for 14- and 15-year-olds, who earn upwards of $60 a week working at the PAL.
Youth Link depends on government funds and private grants, and is seeking additional resources to increase its staff and services. This year the program served 300 young people. It’s maxed out, Ferazi says.
“We don’t want to have to turn any kids away. However, unless something changes that time is coming,” he warned, “because we economically can’t support many more than 300 kids.”
With more money, the program could take its charges on trips like the one it organized in August to Cape Cod. For Sherry, a 15-year-old participant in Youth Link who was charged with assault, the trip was a first. “My experience at Cape Cod felt some sort of a reality show, she said. I never had stayed a night away from home before.” She added, It was nice to have a break from looking after my younger brother and sisters.
Ferazi won’t be able to say precisely how many Youth Link graduates have stayed out of trouble and how many have been arrested again until John Jay College for Criminal Justice establishes a record system it is creating for the program to monitor the progress of its clients. But Youth Link has been successful enough to branch out.
A program was established in Harlem over a year ago, and one opened in Brooklyn six months ago. Both are modeled on the Hunts Point example.
And Ferazi and his charges can tell many success stories. For instance, Somara plans to go to college, and, ultimately, to work on Wall Street. And Francisco, the kid who was once on the verge heading toward a life of crime, now says that eventually he, too, wants go to college, and hopes to become a firefighter.
“I know staying with Youth Link will help me get there,” he said.