The Osborne Association is a non-for-profit Organization located in several sites across New York State including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Riker’s Island, Poughkeepsie and in several correctional facilities such as Queensboro, Sing Sing etc. My current location is in the Bronx main office where I am a fulltime employee in the Treatment Services Department and was given the opportunity to conduct my work-study with the Next Step Program. Next Steps is a mentorship program that works directly with youths’ ages 16 – 24 in NYCHA developments (Patterson and Butler housing developments) in the Bronx. The goal of the program is to reduce violence and recidivism in these developments. Youths are involved in identifying their problems and developing solutions
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Adolescent problem behaviors of delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse, and risky sexual behavior pose a major health risk as well as a threat to adolescents ' further psychosocial development (Melkman, 2015). Risk factors experienced early in life can expose youth to risk taking behaviors that may have negative impact and decrease the chances of them having a health and happy life has they transition from childhood into adulthood. Assessing these risk factors that youths are exposed to is important to determine if sufficient protective factors are in place. Protective factors are considered to be independent variables that can have their own direct effects on behavior but, in addition, can moderate the relation between risk factors and behavior (Cattelino, 2014). Strengthening protective factors that are closely related to the problems that needs to be addressed can prevent youths from getting involved in socially inappropriate behaviors. These protective factors may include being raised in a functional supportive and loving household, maintaining regular school attendance and achieving academically, receiving support from community, having job opportunities and having a positive self-image. While these factors do not prevent at-risk individuals and communities from facing social injustice, they do increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for those who face challenges or obstacles related to their community, school, or home environment (Sally & Romano,
Adolescent problem behaviors of delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse, and risky sexual behavior pose a major health risk as well as a threat to adolescents ' further psychosocial development (Melkman, 2015). Risk factors experienced early in life can expose youth to risk taking behaviors that may have negative impact and decrease the chances of them having a health and happy life has they transition from childhood into adulthood. Assessing these risk factors that youths are exposed to is important to determine if sufficient protective factors are in place. Protective factors are considered to be independent variables that can have their own direct effects on behavior but, in addition, can moderate the relation between risk factors and behavior (Cattelino, 2014). Strengthening protective factors that are closely related to the problems that needs to be addressed can prevent youths from getting involved in socially inappropriate behaviors. These protective factors may include being raised in a functional supportive and loving household, maintaining regular school attendance and achieving academically, receiving support from community, having job opportunities and having a positive self-image. While these factors do not prevent at-risk individuals and communities from facing social injustice, they do increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for those who face challenges or obstacles related to their community, school, or home environment (Sally & Romano,