Project Imagine, a pioneering program dedicated to steering youths away from gang activity and community violence, recently celebrated a significant milestone as its 25th class graduated, bringing the total number of teenagers completing the program since its inception to nearly 150.
Led by Robert David, violence prevention manager for the City of Danville’s Project Imagine, the program focuses on pairing the teens with mentors and setting tangible goals for participants, including refraining from contact with law enforcement, improving academic performance, completing school, and gaining employment.
“We’re here to guide these young people and assist them in doing something better,” David says.
David and his staff of seven caseworkers have tagged the phrase “your new aunts and uncles,” meaning that they will serve as a support system for the youths for as long as the teens will allow them to be part of their life.
“We are going to hold you accountable as well, just like aunts and uncles would,” David tells the graduates. “If you do something wrong, we are going to make sure you know about it, but then we are going to move on. We don’t hold it over your head. We say, ‘how do we fix this situation.’ You are walking into an organization that cares. As an organization, our emphasis is to get you to imagine a life that maybe you could not imagine before.”
David explains that everyone probably has at one time in their life, while on a walk, encountered a dog in the yard.
“You knew that if you walked that way, that dog was going to chase you,” he says. “That’s how it is for these young people in the streets now. When they step out on these streets, they know they are going to have to make a decision. You can make the decision to walk down that path where you know the dog is at – where there is danger – or you can make a decision to avoid the dog.”
By choosing to participate in Project Imagine, the teens are making the decision to change direction to avoid the dog.
Through evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, the program empowers youths to envision a future free from gang involvement and crime. Participants undergo strength-based assessments utilizing the Casey Life Skills and Clifton Strengths tools, guiding them toward healthy and productive life paths. Additionally, each youth is paired with a dedicated outreach worker for a minimum of one year, ensuring ongoing guidance and mentorship.
The teens in Project Imagine are chosen from referrals from the police department, the courts, schools, and parents.
David has received national recognition for his groundbreaking work, including the 2023 Youth Workforce Professional of the Year Award from the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for his contributions to gang prevention and intervention.
The collaborative efforts of Project Imagine have also received accolades such as the President’s Award from the Virginia Municipal League, highlighting its significance in community development and youth empowerment.
Through its unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, Project Imagine continues to pave the way for a brighter, safer future for the next generation.
For more information about Project Imagine, please visit danvilleva.gov/ProjectImagine or contact David at robert.david@danvilleva.gov or 434-857-3354.