PRIDE Program Graduation Tonight

The current class of the PRIDE Program graduates tonight. The nine-week program is designed to educate, mentor and guide troubled youth in the decision-making process.  Through guest speakers, trips and activities, participants focused on positive and negative impacts of decision making. This class they:

• Spent a media day at KION TV and KDON radio
• Toured UCSC for a science day
• Visited the Homeless Service Center
• Toured San Quentin and Alcatraz 
• Did a ropes course to develop trust with each other
• And more!

The PRIDE Program (Personally Responsible Individual Development in Ethics) is overseen by Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Joe Hernandez of the department's Community Services Section.

Working in conjunction with Santa Cruz City Schools and the County Office of Education, the program is a multi-faceted approach to early gang prevention for local intermediate school-aged kids.