TACOMA: Housing Authority grant to help keep 17 youths out of gangs

THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: July 22nd, 2006 01:00 AM

Goodwill and a reformed Tacoma gangster will team up to help steer 17 youths away from the gang life.

The Tacoma Housing Authority has given Goodwill a $41,000 grant for gang intervention and prevention. With the grant, the organization plans to partner with Lawrence Stone, the executive director of the Big Homie Program and a former gang member.

They will focus on working with 17 youths between 16 and 21 who have been strongly affected by the area’s gang culture, Goodwill said.

The youths will receive individual mentoring so they can develop life skills and appropriate social behavior. In addition to Stone’s assistance, Goodwill will help the youths learn how to search for jobs and teach them about leadership.

Stone is known in the community for working with kids attracted to Tacoma gangs. He did not return a call from a reporter Friday.