Casimir Middle School Physical Education teacher Rob Alvarenga noticed a change in some of his eighth-grade students this year – shy students became more vocal, reserved ones became proactive by volunteering to assist others and taking on leadership roles. The common factor? They attended the Torrance Police Department (TPD) John J. Neu Leadership Academy (Academy), a program hosted by the TPD and sponsored by Torrance Refining Company LLC (TORC).

TPD’s Juvenile Diversion Program facilitates the Academy, an eight-week after-school program designed to help middle schoolers transition more easily into high school by teaching them important life skills and how to develop leadership skills. The program helps students embrace their uniqueness and become leaders in their own way, teaching them to make sound decisions and develop healthy ways to deal with bullying, drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, unsafe internet practices, and other common teen issues. The eight-week program culminates with the students participating in a wilderness ropes course in Culver City.

Alvarenga shared, “The program works. I have seen the kids evolve to be more mindful and purposeful with their actions and exhibit leadership skills in different situations. Kids who normally would stay on the sidelines now get involved. During a recent field trip, I saw the eighth-grade participants volunteer to help with younger students, assist teachers, direct groups, guide the younger ones with empathy, compassion and confidence.”

Program coordinator Maile Thai explained former Police Chief John Neu began this program based on his experiences as a youth basketball coach combined with TPD’s interactions with young people. “With his community-based policing approach, Chief Neu believed we could prevent the types of choices and behaviors that tend to lead kids into trouble by helping them during their most challenging and vulnerable time of transition. Instead of meeting young people at the Police Department after an unfortunate circumstance, we’d rather meet them before and help steer them toward more positive experiences and better choices,” Thai said.

Alvarenga said the program also indirectly benefits younger students as they witness and benefit from the changes in program participants. “They become wonderful role models to younger students.” In fact, the program already serves as a model.

Upon learning about its tremendous positive impact, LeRoy Jackson, former Bert Lynn Middle School principal, worked with program coordinators to develop a similar program geared toward fifth-graders, who often face similar challenges when transitioning from elementary to middle school.

TORC Community Relations Manager Barbara Graham said the program has benefitted more than 400 students since 2011. “We’re proud to have partnered with Chief Neu in the development of this life-changing program,” she said. “Helping young people learn healthy ways to deal with challenging situations and adapt to change with resilience and confidence will benefit them today and help them thrive in the future.”

To learn more about program, please contact TPD’s Juvenile Diversion Coordinator Maile Thai at mthai@torranceca.gov.