Our response to the rise in youth violence impacting our students & the Tacoma community.
FREE253 supports students affected by violence or gang activity through utilizing the Comprehensive Gang Model. Our FREE253 Program Manager will collaborate with TPS administration and on-site CIS Site Coordinators to develop and implement individualized intervention plans. FREE253 focuses on building connections and relationships to help students find purpose and success in life.
For additional information regarding FREE253 at Lincoln High School, Gray Middle School, and Stewart Middle School, please contact Adan Garcia, FREE253 Program Manager at agarcia3@cisoftacoma.org.
For additional information regarding FREE253 at Mt Tahoma High School and Oakland High School, please contact Vince Vaielua, Program Director at vvaielu@cisoftacoma.org.
As part of our FREE253 Initiative, the FREE YA MIND character building and leadership group for young men has launched at Gray Middle School and Lincoln High School. Each session begins with FREE235 Program Manager, Adan, presenting an action or word of the day to guide their discussion.
In the picture below, Gray Middle School students explored the concept of “self-control,” discussing personal definitions, strategies for managing it, and the consequences of not doing so.
“We want to hold each other accountable to succeed as a core group.” ~Gray Middle School Student after their first meeting