The houston police department (HPD), in partnership with the boys and girls clubs of greater houston (BGCGH) will use FY24 microgrants funding to support the next phase of implementation of the…

The houston police department (HPD), in partnership with the boys and girls clubs of greater houston (BGCGH) will use FY24 microgrants funding to support the next phase of implementation of the positive encounters project. This trust-building initiative will serve 300 or more sixth through ninth grade youth who live near three BGCGH clubs in economically disadvantaged minority communities. Through targeted recruitment, the project will work to engage youth not otherwise involved in extracurricular activities with their local club where HPD officers will work overtime shifts as mentors during afterschool and summer hours. The overarching goal of the initiative is to build trust between HPD and the community, with youth and their families engaging in meaningful relationships with officers so that they can both see beyond their uniforms and recognize the departments commitment to positive youth development.