WORCESTER—
The gang unit has several athletic programs geared toward educating young men in the community about the perils of gang life.
But the unit was looking for a way to reach out to young women to establish relationships and educate them as well.
Using an ongoing relationship with the Rob Roy Academy at 150 Pleasant St. — a constant sponsor of the gang unit’s annual Give Kids A Fightin’ Chance boxing event — police found a way to give the young women something special to affirm their good work.
Yesterday, Sgt. Stephen L. Roche and Officer Nathan Reando watched as five girls from the Great Brook Valley Kids Klub received free haircuts and manicures at the Rob Roy Academy.
“We do a lot of stuff for the boys,” Sgt. Roche said. “This is a good way for us to get involved with the girls.”
The group yesterday consisted of girls who are doing well in school, and the day of beauty was a reward and affirmation of their good work, the sergeant said.
Just as the several gang unit athletic programs give police a way to interact with young men, the day of beauty offers the same for girls, he said.
“They are just as at risk as the boys. This is a perfect setup for the young girls,” he said, standing near a couple of the young ladies getting their hair cut by students at the academy.
Yazmin Rivera, 15, who sat with her fingers coated with a fresh French manicure, said she thought the approach was different, but a good one. The girls in the shop all appeared pleased with the gift.
The gang unit is now looking for a sponsor or business willing to donate a day of shopping for a group of young women identified by the unit. It is just another way to interact with the girls, the unit members said.
Susan Derosier, director of the academy, said students there do makeovers and haircuts for several community groups. She said having the young women come in helps her students.
Not often do the students get to work on young women so the relationship helps her students learn as well, she said.
Any program that continues the Police Department’s ability to interact with city youth is positive, she added.
The Rob Roy Academy offered its barbershop services so the gang unit could bring in the teenage boys as well. Some of the men going through the barbershop side of the academy had been in trouble in the past and could serve as good role models, Ms. Derosier said.
