Transformative Interventions
CREDIBLE MESSENGER
The Credible Messenger program is one of the major initiatives managed by the Alliance of Concerned Men under the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). The mission of the initiative is to connect all young people in the care and custody of DYRS to healthy homes and supportive communities, and to provide preventive supports to all youth in Washington, DC.
This program is a transformative intervention program for youth committed to DYRS with a restorative justice philosophy for young people in the community at large.
Credible Messengers mentor youth who have been charged with felonies. The program model involves mentors working closely with the youth—face-to-face or by phone—on a consistent basis to encourage their progress and daily productivity while in school and participating in any extracurricular activity.
In addition, Credible Messengers attend parent/teacher meetings in schools, assist with students’ extracurricular activities, as well as personal life coaching. ACM Credible Messengers host group meetings once a week for the youth. The primary goal of these meetings is creating a healing circle for the group, and a fresh, healthy meal is provided.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Credible Messengers were stationed at designated DC Public Schools—Coolidge and Ballou High Schools—to hand out lunches for the youth. According to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), 29.8 million students were provided school lunches in the United States in 2018, which is over 50%. In the District of Columbia alone, 1 in 7 households experience food hardship or insecurity, according to the Food Research and Action Center.
The efforts of our Credible Messenger team are much-needed by the community and relieve the uncertainty of food sources during this time.
