WYPR: Baltimore nonprofit aims to curb youth crime with citywide after-school programs
Elev8 Baltimore is partnering with 20 city schools this year to offer after-school programming to over 650 students in an effort to keep youth crime on its decade-long decline.
Maryland’s department of juvenile services released a report in September that found youth crime to be rising over the past two years – but remaining lower than levels ten years ago, and lower than adult crime rates.
Alexandria Warrick Adams, executive director of Elev8 Baltimore, says the nonprofit’s goal is to keep youth in school buildings and out of danger by offering enrichment programs that students want.
“When young people don’t have opportunities that are engaging, they’re going to vote with their feet, and they’re going to be on the street,” Warrick Adams said.
“It’s not just a cookie cutter opportunity that we bring into a school,” she said. “We bring a framework, and then based on the school’s needs and opportunities that are in this community, we are able to customize.”